Early Years of the Weimar Republic - Treaty of Versailles Flashcards
German feelings towards Treaty of Versailles
Anger
Disappointment
Feeling deceived
Unexpected
Territorial losses of Treaty of Versailles
Treaty removed 70,000 sq kilometres of German territory and all of Germany’s overseas colonies
Disarmament of Germany - Treaty of Versailles
Germany had to surrender all heavy weapons and dismantle forts in Rhineland.
Conscription to the German armed forces was forbidden.
German army limited to 100,000 men.
Navy allowed 15,000 men and 6 battleships.
No airforce
War guilt - Treaty of Versailles
Article 231 of the treaty - Germany had to accept responsibility for starting war. ‘War guilt’ made Germany liable to pay reparations of £6.6 billion
The Rhineland - Treaty of Versailles
Industrial area between Germany and France. Left bank of Rhine and 50km strip of right bank permanently demilitarised
The Saarland - Treaty of Versailles
South-Western Germany, which contained rich reserves of coal, was separated from Germany and placed under control of League of Nations for 15 years.
Germany had to supply France, Belgium and Italy with free coal
Britain public opinion of the Treaty of Versailles
Satisfied that Germany had lost its overseas empires and would be unable to threaten European peace
Lloyd George (British PM) reaction to Treaty of Versailles
Believes that Germany shouldn’t be so weak and he wanted Britain to become strong trading partner with them again
French positive reaction to Treaty of Versailles
Key demands of French had been met
French negative reaction to Treaty of Versailles
Treaty was being too lenient on Germany
USA reaction to Treaty of Versailles
Generally negative. Treaty was unfair to Germany and British and French used treaty to get richer at expense of Germany. President Wilson didn’t sign it as congress refused it
