The Peace Settlement

Question 1

What were Wilson’s 14 Points?

Answer 1

President Wilson of America outlined 14 things that was going to happen to Germany in the peace treaty

Question 2

How did Wilson’s 14 points show that German citizen’s outrage against the Peace Treaty was not justified?

Answer 2

Made it clear that Germany should expect harsh terms. E.g. said Alsace-Lorraine would return France, Poland would gain land with access to sea, Germany would lose assets & be considerably disarmed.

Question 3

What reasons are the supporting that German horror to the Treaty of Versailles was the result of unrealistic expectations?

Answer 3

1) Wilson’s 14 Points - gave reasons & made it clear should expect harsh terms
2) Germany punished Russia more severely Treaty of Brest-Litovsk 1918 (broke apart West of Russian Empire & annexed territory)
3) Wasn’t as severe as could have been. Clemencau (French Prime Minister) wanted extended French border to Rhineland or annexed the Saar coalfields & created an independent Rhineland & higher reparations. Also, Germany could have paid the reparations bill
4) If Germany won the war, the treaty would have been just as/ more harsh on the Allies

Question 4

What are reasons justifying the German reaction to the Treaty?

Answer 4

1) Lost 26% of their coal and 75% of their iron - forced to pay £6.6 billion in reparations (how with huge loss already)
2) Lost 13% of their land - loss of income already. EXAMPLES - Alsace-Lorraine went to France, Danzig became free
3) Demilitarised the Rhineland - no protection if France decided to invade

Question 5

What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, and give extra info

Answer 5

Germany punishing Russia with this treaty in 1918. Broke up the West part of the Russian Empire & annexed lots of territory. Only the USPD voted against this

Question 6

Which was the only party who voted against the harsh terms of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk 1918?

Answer 6

USPD party

Question 7

How did the reparations bill show

a) Unjustified anger of treaty
b) justified anger to treaty

Answer 7

a) Could have been a lot worse if France had choice. Germany could have paid it if didn’t let inflation spiral
b) Lost 26% coal, 75% iron, 13% land - how pay the reparations when economy hugely damaged

Question 8

If France had their way, what would Clemencau have made the Treaty? Why not?

Answer 8

Would’ve been much harsher. Reparations bill would have been higher. French border would have extended to the Rhineland, or annexed the Saar coalfields & created an independent Rhineland.
Didn’t, as the countries still wanted Germany able to withstand Russian communism

Question 9

What was their army reduced to?

Answer 9

100,000 soldiers

Question 10

If Germany had won the war, the treaty would have been much harsher. Which side of the argument would this be on?

Answer 10

German horror at the Treaty was the result of unrealistic expectations