ESSAY effects Flashcards
INTRODUCTION
(lead in)
The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, is often viewed as a pivotal moment in history that sought to bring about lasting peace following the devastation of World War I. This treaty, which officially ended the war, aimed to establish a new order in Europe by addressing the causes of the conflict and preventing future wars.
INTRODUCTION
(address the question)
By examining the Treaty of Versailles, we can better understand the effects it had on Germany.
INTRODUCTION
(menu)
Such as the financial reparations they had to pay, disarming their military, losing important territory, and revoking all of its overseas colonies.
Effect: 1
(topic sentence)
The Treaty of Versailles, imposed severe consequences on Germany as a means of addressing the aftermath of World War I. One of the most significant effects was the financial reparations mandated by the treaty.
Effect: 1
a
(Example & Explanation)
The Allied powers held Germany accountable for the war, demanding that it pay approximately 132 billion gold marks (around $33 billion at the time) in reparations.
Effect: 1
b
(Example & Explanation)
This financial burden crippled the German economy, leading to hyperinflation in the early 1920s, widespread unemployment, and social unrest.
Effect: 1
(linking)
The government struggled to make these payments, leading to further resentment among the German populace who felt humiliated and overwhelmed by the economic instability.
Effect: 2
(topic sentence)
In addition to financial reparations, the Treaty of Versailles required Germany to disarm significantly.
Effect: 2
(Evidence & Example)
The treaty limited the size of the German military to 100,000 troops and prohibited conscription, tanks, and an air force. This drastic reduction not only weakened Germany’s defence capabilities but also instilled a sense of vulnerability among its citizens. The military restrictions fostered a feeling of powerlessness, which would later fuel nationalist sentiments and a desire for revenge.
Effect: 2
(linking)
Many Germans viewed the disarmament as a direct affront to their national pride, contributing to a growing narrative that the nation’s defeat was a result of betrayal rather than military failure
Effect: 3
(Evidence & Example)
Regions such as Alsace-Lorraine were returned to France, while parts of Prussia were transferred to the newly formed state of Poland, resulting in the loss of vital industrial areas and agricultural land. The loss of these territories not only diminished Germany’s ability to recover economically but also left millions of ethnic Germans living outside the borders of the newly defined German state.
Effect: 3
(topic sentence)
Furthermore, the treaty forced Germany to concede substantial territories, leading to significant demographic and economic repercussions.
Effect: 3
(linking sentence)
This territorial loss exacerbated feelings of resentment and injustice among the German populace, ultimately contributing to an atmosphere ripe for extremist political movements.
Effect: 4
(topic sentence)
Lastly, the treaty mandated that Germany relinquish all of its overseas colonies.
Effect: 4
(Evidence & Explanation)
This loss marked the end of Germany’s status as a colonial power and stripped it of crucial resources it could have relied upon for economic recovery. The colonies such as Rwanda, Tanzania etc. Were distributed among the victorious Allied nations, further entrenching Germany’s perception of victimhood and fostering a longing for restoration of its former empire.
