Reactions to the Treaty of Versailles ( includes 'stab in the back' theory ) Flashcards

1
Q

How did Germans react to the Treaty of Versailles ?

A

For most Germans the Treaty stoked the fire of shame and humiliation.

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2
Q

What did many Germans believe ?

A

Many also believed that the army had not been defeated but had been forced to surrender by the new government.

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3
Q

A scapegoat was needed for Germany’s humiliation ?

A

The Weimar government and its politicians fit the bill

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4
Q

What was the ‘stabbed in the back ‘ theory ?

A

It was claimed that the German army was ‘ stabbed in the back ‘ by unpatriotic and weak politicians.According to this view, Germany had been defeated by pacifists and socialists who had undermined the war effort.

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5
Q

What key factor about the end of WW1 sparked the ‘ stabbed in the back ‘ theory ?

A

The German army was a formidable fighting force until the end of the war and could have won but were ‘ stabbed in the back ‘ by the politicians who signed the armistice. German people believed the army was not defeated as Germany was never invaded.

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6
Q

How did anti war agitators and socialists lead to Germany being defeated ?

A

Anti war agitators fomented unrest amongst civilians and weakened the morale of troops.

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7
Q

How did the civilian government lead to Germany’s defeat ?

A

The new civilian government from October 1918 failed to support the military.Unrest then spread throughout Germany.This culminated when these unpatriotic elements, the ‘ November Criminals ‘ seized power and declared a republic.The new government arranged an unnecessary armistice and then accepted the humiliating peace terms

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8
Q

Who were the November Criminals ?

A

a group of socialists, democrats and Catholics

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