German reaction to the Treaty Flashcards
Why did Germans hope to be treated fairly after the First World War?
British blockade had prevented food being imported into Germany during the war and people were starving.
Germans needed compassion to rebuild their country
Allies blamed Kaiser for starting the war and called for him to abdicate in order for armistice to be signed. He fled to Holland, Germans felt no further punishment needed.
Why were the Germans shocked by the Treaty?
Shocked by severity of it
Not allowed to negotiate the terms
Called it a Diktat - dictated peace - neither fair nor justified
Govt had no choice but to sign. Became known as “November Criminals” and was said Germany had been stabbed in the back.
What happened after Kaiser abdicated?
No one left to run the country.
New Democratic Party, Weimar Republic set up
Was Weimar Republic popular?
Some felt not strong enough run country.
Many wanted one strong leader.
Many revolts broke out. 1920 Kapp Putsch
First 5 years post war- unstable and violent.
Most hated part of the Treaty?
Article 231
What was article 231?
War Guilt Clause
War Guilt clause?
Germany having to accept full responsibility for starting the war and pay reparations.
State of Germany post war?
Economy in ruins.
763,000 civilians dead from starvation. Desperate and needed help. How would they cope with the punishments under the Treaty.
Rich coal fields in Saar and foreign colonies had to be given up.
Lost 16% of its coal and 48% of its steel.
Lost 13% of its land. Nearly 6 million germans living in different countries, under governments who often resented Germany.
Humiliated by loss of their army - to be limited to 100,000
Why was limiting the army humiliating to Germany
Army was a huge source of national pride to Germany , before and during the war.
Felt humiliated and vulnerable whilst surrounded by so much hostility.
Increased threat from communist Russia but small army to fight.
Why was the German government known as the “November criminals”?
Germans had been told they were winning the war, so felt they had been stabbed in the back and betrayed by the government . Called those who signed the armistice the November criminals.
What was The Kapp Putsch
An attempted revolution in Germany
Timeline of impact of the treaty
1919 Treaty Signed
1920. The Kapp Putsch
1921. Reparations set at £6.6 million
1923 January -The Ruhr Crisis
1923. November- the Munich Putsch
1924. USA lends Germany 800 million gold
marks in the Dawes Plan.
What was the Ruhr crisis
Germany missed reparation payment. France invaded Germany to take goods from factories; German government pays workers to strike so no goods for French to take. Prints off more money leading to hyperinflation.
What was the Munich Putsch?
Nazi party, led by Hitler tries to overthrow the government but fails.
