2.3 Why Did Germany Hate the Treaty Of Versailles? Flashcards
1
Q
Why did Germans hate the Treaty of Versailles?
A
- Perceived as punishment; created resentment and anger.
- Treaty terms were harsh and humiliating to Germany.
2
Q
What is the war guilt clause?
A
Germany had to accept full blame for WWI.
3
Q
What reparations did Germany have to pay?
A
- Germany had to pay £6.6 billion to Allies
- payments to cover damage to allied property and industry
4
Q
What military restrictions were imposed on Germany?
A
- army limited to 100,000 soldiers
- navy restricted to 6 battleships
- no submarines or air force
- no troops allowed in the Rhineland (demilitarised zone)
- loss of land and colonies (eg Alsace-Lorraine to France)
- Germany forbidden to unite with Austria
5
Q
Why were these terms so damaging for Germany?
A
- loss of key industrial areas (iron and coal)
- humiliation from military restrictions and loss of pride
- economic burden from reparations led to hardship and resentment
6
Q
German reactions to the Treaty of Versailles
A
- anger and resentment
- treaty viewed as a ‘diktat’ (dictated peace); felt imposed without negotiation
- many think the government betrayed them by signing; called leaders “November Criminals’’
- believed that Germany could have kept fighting - ‘stab-in-the-back’
7
Q
Reparations def
A
Payments to compensate war damages
8
Q
Hitler’s interpretation of the T of V
A
- unfair and humiliating
- used it to fuel nationalism and resentment
9
Q
Impact of the Treaty on Germany
A
- economic struggle due to reparations and land losses
- social and political unrest; rise of extremist views
- sense of national humiliation and desire for revenge
