Treaty of Versaille Flashcards
What requirement was included in the Treaty of Versailles regarding Germany?
Germany would have to pay reparations in both cash and goods
Terms of the treaty (4)
Territorial Losses
Lost all of its empire and 13% of Germany territory
Disarmament of Army
100,000 men and no conscription. Rhineland demilitarised
War Guilt clause made Germany liable to reparations
Not allowed to join League of Nations or to unite with Austria
What was the conclusion of the Reparations Commission regarding the amount Germany should pay?
132 billion gold marks, or £6.6 billion, to be paid in annual instalments
What political crisis occurred in Germany following the Reparations Commission’s report?
The cabinet of Fehrenbach resigned in protest at the harsh terms
This led to a new government led by Chancellor Joseph Wirth.
What was the German government’s initial response to the ultimatum to accept reparations?
They signed the terms unwillingly
What was the German policy regarding the fulfilment of the Treaty of Versailles?
Cooperation would win sympathy from the Allies and a revision of the terms
What significant event occurred in 1923 related to reparations?
French and Belgian forces occupied the Ruhr industrial area of Germany
What was the economic impact of reparations on Germany?
The burden of reparations made a bad situation much worse.
Made repayment of huge government debt even more difficult
What were Germany’s gold reserves like in relation to reparations payments?
Germany’s gold reserves were inadequate for the scale of the reparations payments that had to be made in gold.
In addition to gold, what was another part of the reparations payments?
Coal and manufactured goods
Why was Germany’s ability to pay reparations in coal affected?
Germany had lost a large part of its coal reserves in the Versailles Treaty.
Why did workers and manufacturers in Allied countries oppose payment in manufactured goods?
They regarded it as a threat to their jobs and businesses.
What was the German government’s response to the difficulty in paying reparations?
To print more money causing the value of the mark to fall
When did the war end with the armistice agreement?
11 November 1918
Was the armistice a surrender for Germany?
No
The armistice was an agreement to stop fighting, not a surrender.
What was the purpose of the armistice agreement?
To stop fighting and withdraw German forces from occupied territory
Where did the conference to settle the peace terms take place?
Palace of Versailles, outside Paris
The conference occurred in January 1919.
Were the Germans allowed to attend the peace conference?
No
What happened on 28 June 1919 regarding the treaty?
The Treaty was signed by Allied Powers and Germany
What political impact did the treaty have in Germany?
Caused political divisions throughout the Weimar Republic
How did the majority of Germans react to the signing of the treaty?
With horror and disbelief
Propaganda portrayed an imminent victory and was an enormous shock with a sole aim to humiliate Germany
What did the disarming of Germany symbolise to its citizens?
Unjust discrimination against a proud nation
True or False: The German public was fully aware of the desperate military situation by autumn 1918.
False
The civilian population was not informed about the dire circumstances on the Western Front.
What was the policy adopted by the SPD regarding the Versailles Treaty?
The policy of fulfilment
What effect did the Versailles Treaty have on moderates in Germany?
Many moderates were unhappy with politicians who appeared to betray an unbeaten country.
What did the Versailles Treaty associate the Weimar Republic with?
Weakness and failure
True or False: The SPD believed that outward compliance with the Versailles Treaty was the best course of action.
True
What did German nationalists struggle to accept after World War I?
Germany’s military defeat and the establishment of the new republic
What event was considered the final straw for many nationalists?
The signing of the Versailles Treaty
How did extreme nationalists view the politicians governing Germany?
They lacked legitimacy and were seen as betrayers of the ‘Fatherland’
What term was used to label politicians who signed the Versailles Treaty?
‘November Criminals’
What was the ‘stab in the back’ myth?
A narrative claiming that the German army was betrayed by politicians
What was the general British public opinion regarding the Treaty of Versailles?
Satisfied that Germany had lost its overseas empire and fleet
But didn’t want Germany to become too weak to resist the USSR
What were the 3 key demands of France during the Treaty negotiations?
- Recovery of Alsace-Lorraine
- Demilitarisation of the Rhineland
- Payment of reparations
What was the sentiment in France regarding the Treaty of Versailles?
Many regarded it as too lenient on Germany
What was the sentiment in the US regarding the Treaty of Versailles?
Too harsh on Germany
What year were the reparations for the Treaty fixed?
1921
