The Treaty of Versailles Flashcards
Why was the Weimar Republic deeply unpopular, despite the establishment of a new constitution?
- many saw signing of armistice as a betrayal
- terms of Treaty of Versailles were harsh and damaged Germany’s already struggling economy
What were the government who signed the armistice called by some in Germany? Why?
The ‘November Criminals’. They were seen to have betrayed Germany when they surrendered WWI in November 1918.
Why were Germans so shocked when the government surrendered WWI?
German propaganda of WWI meant some had no idea that troops were suffering from food shortages, or stalemate that existed on the Western Front.
Why did the surrender feel like a betrayal of German national pride? What did this so-called betrayal become known as?
due to the Nationalism that existed in the war on both sides, created by propaganda etc…
Became known as the Dolchstoss or ‘stab in the back’ theory.
How did Ebert, the president of Germany, further the ‘stab in the back’ myth?
told returning troops ‘no enemy has vanquished you’ and ‘they returned undefeated from the battlefield’
When and where was the Treaty of Versailles signed?
Palace of Versailles in France on 28th June 1919
Who were the three main negotiators of the terms of the Treaty of Versailles?
The ‘Big Three’:
- David Lloyd George, PM of Great Britain
- Georges Clemenceau, president of France
- Woodrow Wilson, president of USA
Germany was not invited to the peace talks.
What did France want to happen to Germany?
wanted them to be punished harshly as France had suffered badly during the war, with parts of Northern France completely destroyed.
What did Wilson want from the Treaty of Versailles?
wanted to create peace in Europe for good. came to the negotiation with his fourteen points which included: a League of Nations to settle international disputes, democracy and disarmament.
How many times did the Big Three meet to negotiate the treaty and how many articles did it comprise of in the end?
met 145 times.
440 articles.
What terms of the Treaty affected Germany’s territory (Land)?
- lost 10% of population and 13% of land in Europe
- Posen and East Prussia taken from Germany and given to Poland, to allow Poland access to the sea - became known as the Polish Corridor
- Alsace-Lorraine returned to the French
- Germany had to renounce all rights over the countries of Poland and Czechoslovakia
- forbidden from uniting with Austria
- Germany lost 11 colonies in their Empire- placed under ‘supervision’ of victorious powers
What terms of the Treaty affected Germany’s military (Army)?
- army limited to 100,000 men
- allowed only 6 battleships and no air force
- Rhineland to be demilitarized. Occupied by Allied soldiers until 1935. (Rhineland included Ruhr.)
What terms of the Treaty affected Germany’s economy (Money)?
- pay £6.6 billion in reparations, mainly to Britain and France. paid in money and goods (e.g. coal).
- coal produced in Saar region given to France for 15 years
What terms of the Treaty affected Germany’s guilt (Blame)?
- Article 231 of the treaty stated that Germany accepted responsibility for the losses and damages caused by the war (known as the War Guilt clause)
How much of Germany’s iron and coal reserves were lost and why?
lost 50% of iron and 15% of coal reserves as this territory was taken
