Treaty of Versailles 1919

The leaders of Britain, France & USA had very different aims for the peace settlement. The Treaty of Versailles was a dictated peace. The terms of the peace settlement after the First World War were drawn up without consulting Germany. Some elements of the settlement were very harsh and many Germans felt bitter and resentful about the treaty. Germany lost land and was disarmed. Germany also had to accept the War Guilt Clause and pay reparations to the Allies. Many Germans were angry and ashamed of the Treaty of Versailles.

Terms of the Treaty (1) Article 231 of the Treaty blamed Germany & her allies for starting the war – the War Guilt Clause. Germany had to pay £6,600 million reparations to the Allies, (½ what France wanted). German army reduced to 100,000 men & conscription banned. Navy only allowed 6 battleships, & no submarines. Air Force banned.

Terms of the Treaty (2) Germany lost about 13% of her European lands and about 10% of her population. She lost 75% of iron ore. Germany lost all her colonies Germany could keep the Rhineland, but no German soldiers or military equipment were allowed in this area. Germany and Austria were forbidden to unite to form one country, (Anschluss). League of Nations was set up to prevent war in the future.

Task: Draw & complete this table: Terms of TreatyMain Aim of TermConsequences

Exam Question Source A is about the effects of the Treaty of Versailles. Source A In 1920 Keynes published a book criticising the Treaty of Versailles. He said that the Treaty would eventually prove disastrous. He was very critical of the economic terms of the Treaty. The reparations, he said, could never work. Keynes argued that the Treaty would cripple Germany. A poor Germany would mean a poor Europe. Many Britons growing up during the next twenty years agreed that the Treaty of Versailles was not worth defending. 1. Explain why many people criticised the Treaty of Versailles.

Exam Question Source B was written by British Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, about the Treaty of Versailles. I cannot imagine any greater cause of war than surrounding the German people with a number of small states containing large masses of Germans demanding reunion with their native land. The Treaty will strip Germany of her colonies and reduce her army to a mere police force. If Germany feels she has been unjustly treated she will seek revenge. 2. How far do Sources B & C agree about the Treaty of Versailles? 4 marks Source C is from “Mein Kampf” by Adolf Hitler. In the year 1919, the German people were burdened with the unjust peace treaty. You would have thought that the cry for German freedom would have been loudly promoted by the government but it was ot. The Treaty was a shame and a disgrace. It must be our aim to get back to Germany the land and the people to which we are entitled. State boundaries are made by man and can be changed by man and we will change them when our army is restored to its full strength.

Exam Question Source D is from a German newspaper, Deutsche Zeitung, 28 June Source D VENGEANCE! GERMAN NATION! Today in theHall of Mirrors a disgraceful Treaty is being signed. Never forget it! On the spot where, in the glorious year of 1871, the German Empire in all its glory began, today German honour is dragged to the grave. Never forget it! The German people, with unceasing labour, will push forward to reconquer that place among the nations of the world to which they are entitled. There will be vengeance for the shame of How useful is Source D as evidence of the attitude of the German people towards the Treaty of Versailles.

Sample Answer Source D is useful because it is from a German newspaper dated 28 June This makes it a Primary source so it has the benefit of being written at the time. It was written to show what the German people thought of the Treaty of Versailles. The source says that the Treaty of Versailles was a disgrace, and there should be vengeance for it. It gives no details on the terms of the treaty, like Germany having to take the blame for the war, or having to pay reparations. The German people were expecting a better treaty because they had got rid of the Kaiser and had a new democratic government.

Exam Question Source E was written by Sir Phillip Gibbs who was a British representative at the Peace Conference. Source E It was a peace of vengeance. It was very unfair. The economic terms of the treaty were mad. Germany had to pay for all the damage caused during the war. The impossibility of getting all this money from a defeated country was obvious even to the most ignorant schoolboy. 5.Explain why many people in Germany and elsewhere were unhappy with the Treaty of Versailles. 4 marks

Exam Question When news of the terms of the treaty reached Germany and elsewhere were unhappy with the Treaty of Versailles. 4.How far do you agree with the author of Source E that Germany was unfairly treated at the Peace Conference? Use evidence from the source and your own knowledge to come to a conclusion.