2 - Treaty of Versailles

Question 1

when was the armistice?

Answer 1

11th nov. 1918 - pending full peace settlement

Question 2

how were Germans told about the treaty?

Answer 2

• not invited to attend or allowed to see terms of the treaty until 7th May
• german gov. suggested changes but Allies agreed to very few
• 16th June German gov. given 7 days to accept - new coalition
• Versailles treaty signed by all powers 28th June

Question 3

what were the terms of the treaty?

Answer 3

• territorial losses
• disarmament
• war guilt
• Saarland
• Rhineland

Question 4

german reaction to the treaty?

Answer 4

• unjust humiliation
• reparations
• allied occupation
• should have expected it - 14 points could have been more severe
• exclusion from League of Nations
• self-determination denied to Germans
• Diktat

Question 5

reaction of pro-republican parties to the treaty

Answer 5

• SPD asked opponents to say supporting treaty not unpatriotic
• thought more sensible to support outwards while negotiating
• turned some against republic

Question 6

reaction on the right

Answer 6

• right-wing resentment of republic intensified

- labelled governing politicians ‘November Criminals’ - ‘stab in the back myth’

Question 7

reactions abroad

Answer 7

Britain
-public happy (thought French greedy)
-Lloyd George wanted to trade with Germany again
France
-felt suffered most in war
-felt treaty too lenient on Germans
-Clemenceau blamed
US
-negative
-felt unfair on Germany (B+F greedy)

Question 8

government reactions to treaty

Answer 8

• ministers from all parties agreed that treaty incompatible with German honour
• majority of cabinet and SPD agreed no other choice
• President Ebert said would support rejection but Groener said military resistance would be futile
• Scheidemann and ministers wanted to reject treaty - new coalition led by Gustav Bauer