Reactions to the Treaty of Versailles ( includes 'stab in the back' theory ) Flashcards
How did Germans react to the Treaty of Versailles ?
For most Germans the Treaty stoked the fire of shame and humiliation.
What did many Germans believe ?
Many also believed that the army had not been defeated but had been forced to surrender by the new government.
A scapegoat was needed for Germany’s humiliation ?
The Weimar government and its politicians fit the bill
What was the ‘stabbed in the back ‘ theory ?
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.
What key factor about the end of WW1 sparked the ‘ stabbed in the back ‘ theory ?
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.
How did anti war agitators and socialists lead to Germany being defeated ?
Anti war agitators fomented unrest amongst civilians and weakened the morale of troops.
How did the civilian government lead to Germany’s defeat ?
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
Who were the November Criminals ?
a group of socialists, democrats and Catholics
