Treaty of Versailles and start of LON Flashcards
When was the treaty of Versailles signed?
The treaty was signed on 28th of June 1919.
Where was the treaty signed?
In January 1919, delegates from 32 countries met at Versailles, near Paris. The meeting was known as the Versailles conference and the Germans were NOT invited.
Who were the “big three”?
Woodrow Wilson
Georges Clemenceau
David Loyd George
What countries did the big three represent?
Woodrow wilson- America
Georges Clemenceau-France
David Loyd George-Britan
What were some terms of the Treaty?
War guilt: Germany had to accept the blame for starting the war.
Reparations: Germany had to pay millions of dollars to the allies for the damage caused by the war.
Armed forces: Germany was forbidden to have submarines or an airforce. They could have a Navy of only six battleships and an army of only 100,000 men.
Germany could not join the League of Nations until showed they were a peace loving country.
Germany was forbidden to join together with Austria and their colonies were given to Britain and France.
What did Woodrow Wilson want out of the Treaty?
- Wanted to end the war by making a fair peace
- Opposed harsh treatment of Germany and wanted to ensure Germany was not destroyed or blamed for starting ww1.
He wanted a League of Nations where countries could talk about their problems, without going to war.
What did David Lloyd George want out of the treaty?
- Wanted a punishment for Germany that was strong enough for those who wanted Germany to pay but not too harsh so that :
- Germany was still strong enough to trade with
- Europe was not dominated by France
- Germany was able to stop the spread of communism
Wanted to safeguard Britain’s naval supremacy.
What did Georges Clemenceau want out of the treaty?
- Wanted revenge and to punish the Germans for bloodshed and destruction caused by ww1 in France.
- To make the germans pay lots of reparations
- Alsance-Lorraine returned to France
- an independant Rineland between the French and German border.
- Disbandment of the Germany army so that it wouldn’t be strong enough to invade France again.
What was the Germans reaction to the non-representaion at peace talks?
-Angry that they were not allowed to be at peace talks and were forced to accept a treaty that they viewed as harsh without any chance to negotiate it or comment on it. They did not believe they lost the war and so they should not be treated at a defeated country.
What was the Germans reaction to the war guilt, reparations and disarmament of army ect.?
They hated being forced to accept the blame for starting the war as they felt they didn’t start it. Other countries should share the blame. (war guilt)
Germany’s economy was severely weakened by the war, so shouldn’t be expected to pay for all the damages caused by the war. (reparations)
The army was a symbol of German pride. An army of 100,000 men was too small for a country of germanys size. None of the other countries were forced to disarm in the same way despite Wilsons 14 point.
What was the Germans reaction to the League of Nations?
Insulted at not being allowed to join the League of Nations. How could future conflict be avoided if Germany could not be represented at the LON.
Who attempted to overthrow Eberts government in 1920?
Right-wing opponents of his government.
How was this rebellion defeated?
A strike by Berlin workers which severely affected essential services like power and transport.
Describe two events that took place between 1922 and 1923 that reflected the political instability in Germany?
1) Numerous political assassinations
2) An attempted rebellion by Hitler in 1923. Rebellion was defeated, but many shared his hatred of the treaty.
How did Hitler use the Treaty to gain support for himself and the Nazi party?
Many Germans people hated the Treaty. he used their resentment for the Treaty to gain support for himself and the Nazi party.
Why did French and Belgian soldiers enter the Ruhr region in 1923?
The German government failed to pay their reparation instalment in 1922. The French ran out of patience with Germany and sent troops into the Ruhr region in 1923.
What did these soldiers take from this region?
Raw materials nd goods
What were the results of the Ruhr occupation for Germany?
The German government instructed workers in this region to go on strike and not produce anything for the French to take. The French reacted by killing over 100 workers.
How did the Ruhr occupation affect the German economy?
The strike meant that Germany had no goods to trade and consequently no money to buy things with. This led to hyperinflation.
What did Germans believe started the Ruhr crisis?
The reparations were to high leaving Germany nearly bankrupt. This meant they were unable to pay the reparations and so the French chose to occupy the Ruhr region.
Did the rest of the world agree with what the Germans believed about what started the Ruhr crisis? Give a reason for your answer.
No. They felt Germany was able to pay reparations, but just didn’t want to pay.
How did the German government react to the country not having enough money due to the Ruhr occupation?
Printed extra money
What is hyperinflation?
A condition where the price of everything in a national economy goes out of control and increases very quickly. Results in money becoming worthless.
Who benefitted from hyperinflation and why? Who was badly affected swell and why?
benefitted: Government and big industrialists because able to pay off their huge debts
badly affected: Pensioners and middle-class. Savings became worthless and so assets ect.
How did the league start?
Everyone wanted to avoid a repeat of ww1 and so agreed with the idea of a League of Nations.
What was the purpose of the league?
Resolving international disputes without resorting to war.
What did Woodrow Wilson want the league to be like?
World parliament where representatives from all nations met regularly to discuss maters that affected them all.
What did the British leaders want the treaty to be like?
A simple organisation that would only meet in the event of an emergency.
What did France want the league to be like?
A strong league with its own army.
What were the ways in which members of the league would ensure that another war did not break out/disarm?
1) disarm
2) If there was disputes between nations they would take it to the league to be resolved and would promise to accept the decision made by the league.
3) Nations would protect one another if invaded.
4) If any member broke the covenant and went to war, other members promised to stop trading with it and send troops to fight if necessary.
