TOV

Question 1

Explain how TOV was fair?

Answer 1

• Lenient in comparison with the terms Germany imposed when Russia pulled out of war in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
• The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk deprived Russia of 1/3 of population, half industrial undertakings and 9/10 of coal mines, imposed indemnity of 6,000 million marks.
• Proponents of the treaty argue that it held Germany accountable for the war and its consequences, and that the terms were to atone the immense human and economic costs inflicted upon other nations.

Question 2

How did reparations affect Germany?

Answer 2

Reparations

• Made to pay full compensation for all damage caused in war even though its economy was weakened . → 269 billion gold Reichsmarks equivalent to 6.6 billion dollars to be made to the allied powers.

Impact

• Proved to be an additional burden which further worsened German economic conditions and hampered ability to make payments on time.
• War Guilt Clause gave Allies the right to demand compensation for huge costs of war.
• Germany was already suffering economic problems due to its efforts in the war where she lost 15 per cent of its active male population, and thus faced a severe shortage of able workers to rebuild its economy
• Germans were extremely bitter over the issue of reparations and the impact that it had on the German economy
• France accused Germany of sabotaging its economy to reduce value of payments. Sent army into the Ruhr industrial region, confiscate coal and goods as payment. Worsened economic crises, strike of workers in the Ruhr.

Question 3

How did the territorial changes affect germany?

Answer 3

Territorial Changes

• Germany had to give up territories to neighbouring countries
  
  • Lost 10% of its land
  • Forbidden/ not allowed to unite with Austria to form an Anschluss
  • Germany lost all her overseas colonies
  Impact
• prevented any further German expansion through merger with other territories which many German nationalists thought it was reasonable for the German-speaking Austrians to be part of Germany
• They also question why they could not form an Anschluss with Austria since the people from both countries spoke the same language and have a similar culture. This further injure the pride of the Germans, who were once proud of their colonial heritage, had to now succumbed to the injustice treaty.
• For instance, the loss of coal-rich land in the Saar to French meant that the Germans had lost a vital source of raw materials to fuel their economy.

Question 4

How did demilitarisation affect germany?

Answer 4

Demilitarisation
- Military restrictions perceived as unfair because placed Germany in an extremely vulnerable position, inadequate for basic security, compromised
- Size of army 100,000 men; conscription was banned
- Size of navy 15,000 men; only allowed 6 battleships
- Not allowed to defend Rhineland, borders with France lack defense
- Not allowed to have air force, tanks, submarines

Impact
- harsh limitations placed on Germany’s armed forces were meant to ensure that Germany would not be able to start another war
- Germany was significantly less able to defend itself against the Allied Powers in the event of a military attack from its neighbours.
- Demilitarisation of the Rhineland which were to be occupied by the Allied Troops for 15 years – not allowed defending borders with France.