Treaty of Versailles

Question 1

When was the ToV signed?

Answer 1

28th June 1919.

Question 2

List 4 ways in which the Treaty of Versailles affected Germany.

Answer 2

1) Financially
2) Militarily
3) Politically
4) Territorially

Question 3

Explain how the Treaty of Versailles affected Germany financially.

Answer 3

• WW1 had already cost Germany $37bn.
• £6.6bn sum demanded by the ToV was going to exacerbate poverty and weaken the economy even more.
• Loss of valuable territory would starve industry; 48% coal production lost.
• Lost its merchant navy (international shipping trade)

Question 4

How much in reparations did the Tov demand?

Answer 4

£6.6bn.

Question 5

Explain how the Treaty of Versailles affected Germany militarily.

Answer 5

• Army limited to 100,000
• Navy limited to 6 battleships
• Conscription and air force banned
• Tanks, artillery and submarines banned
• Rhineland demilitarised

Question 6

Explain how the Treaty of Versailles affected Germany territorially.

Answer 6

• Germany lost 13% of its land and 6m citizens with it.
• 48% of coal production was lost, e.g. the Saar coalfields given to France for 15 years.
• Overseas empire given to GB and France.
• Alsace-Lorraine returned to France.

Question 7

Under the ToV, Germany lost __% of its land and __ citizens with it.

Answer 7

1) 13%

2) 6m

Question 8

Under the ToV, __% of coal production was lost, e.g. the Saar coalfields given to France for __ years. ___ was returned to France.

Answer 8

1) 48%
2) 15
3) Alsace-Lorraine

Question 9

Explain how the Treaty of Versailles affected Germany politically.

Answer 9

Article 231 dictated that Germany had to accept full responsibility for starting the war, and that it could not join the League of Nations.

Question 10

How did German people react to the ToV?

Answer 10

It was humiliating for German people as they were given no say in the terms of the Treaty; it was a Diktat (dictated peace).
People were outraged by article 231; Germany had to accept all blame for WW1 when the reality of the causes was more complex.

Question 11

Explain how the Treaty of Versailles affected the societal perception of the Weimar government.

Answer 11

1) It decreased in popularity; people felt they’d been stabbed in the back by its agreeing to the ToV and the Armistice.
2) Ebert and the government began to be called the “November Criminals”.
3) People became more nationalistic and support for the Kaiser increased again.