Treaty of Versailles Flashcards
When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?
June 1919
What were the main terms of the treaty?
- Territorial losses
- Disarmament of Germany
- War Guilt
How did territorial losses affect Germany?
Over 70,000 km2 of German territory was removed as well as all of their overseas colonies. Alsace-Lorraine was given to France and most of West Prussia and Pomerania was given to Poland. Danzig was made a free city.
What were the consequences of Germany’s territorial losses?
The establishment of Danzig as a free city meant that Germany lost a key port.
They also lost 75% of their iron ore, 68% of zinc ore, 26% of coal and 16% of arable land. All of their overseas territories were divided among the allies.
What was meant by “disarmament” of Germany?
They had to surrender all weapons and dismantle fortifications. Conscription of the armed forces was forbidden and the army was limited to 1000 men. They were not allowed tanks, gas or an air force.
What was war guilt?
Germany had to accept responsibility for starting the war. They were given a “guilt clause” which made them liable to pay reparations, and had to hand over merchant shipping fleets, locomotives and overseas investment to the allies.
What other terms were part of the treaty?
- Austria were forbidden from uniting with Germany
- Germany were not allowed to join the League of Nations
- Kaiser was put on trial for war crimes
What happened to the Rhineland?
The Rhineland was the left and right banks of the Rhine, both of which were permanently demilitarised and placed under French occupation.
What happened to the Saarland?
The Saarland was a region of SW Germany which contained rich coal reserves. It was placed under League of Nations control, and Germany was to supply France, Belgium and Italy with free coal.
What was meant by self determination?
Millions of people who spoke German and considered themselves to be German were now living outside of Germany’s borders. People inside and out were furious.
The separation of East Prussia by the Polish corridor was another source of resentment.
How did German people react to the war guilt clause?
It was seen as an unjust national humiliation, as Germans believed they had been forced into a just war against the allies.
How did German people react to allied occupation?
Allied occupation led to continuing friction. German nationalists were outraged by the outlawing of Nationalist groups and banning of German patriotism in areas of French control.
How did German people react to disarmament and the exclusion from the League of Nations?
They saw it as unjust discrimination against a proud and once powerful nation.
How did German people react to the reparations?
They were a major cause of anger because the people felt they were too high, and that they would cripple the economy - people were bitter that Germany bore the brunt of payments.
How did the moderate, pro Republic parties react to the treaty?
- They saw the most sensible option as complying with the treaty whilst negotiating over it - known as the policy of fulfilment.
- This turned some supporters against the republic as people saw compliance as betrayal.
