Treaty of Versailles Effects on Germany

Background Paris Peace Conference Germany did not participate Allies dominated the meeting France and Britain wanted to punish Germany Treaty signed on June 28, 1919 The terms were harsh and put severe limits on Germany

Political Effects War Guilt Clause: Germany forced to accept blame for damages caused by World War I Loss of power and status Territorial losses: Alsace-Lorraine went back to France Danzig (Polish Corridor) given to Poland Land lost to Belgium, Denmark & Czechoslovakia Lost colonies in Africa and Asia Weimar Republic was weak: Germans blamed this government for the country’s defeat and the humiliation of the treaty

Political Effects Threats of revolution by monarchists and communists Kapp Putsch (1920) - was a 1920 coup attempt during the German revolution aimed at overthrowing the Weimar Republic. Based on opposition to the Treaty of Versailles imposed at the end of World War I Beer Hall Putsch (1923) - a failed attempt at revolution that occurred on Nov. 8 and 9, when Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler, Erich Ludendorff, and others unsuccessfully tried to seize power in Munich, Bavaria, and Germany. Hitler’s Attitude Toward the Treaty: Said it was an outrage Wanted to overturn it

Political Effects Hitler’s Political Goals: Lebensraum (Living space); get it by invading eastern Europe and Russia Regaining lost lands Combating communism

Social Effects Treaty viewed as attempt to punish Germany John Maynard Keynes said it reduced them to servitude, degraded their lives and deprived them of happiness Germans want revenge for treaty It took away German pride Was seen as a slap in the face Change in borders causes loss of population and national identity Inflation has direct impact on people’s lives Poverty and despair Disease (tuberculosis)

Social Effects Anti-Semitism in Germany Rise of Hitler and Nazism Germans blamed Jews for losing the war and the economic problems in Germany Rise of Hitler and Nazism Belief that Aryans are the master race Goal was to kill all Jews and “inferior races”

Economic Effects Reparations: $33 Billion to France and Great Britain over 30 years Loss of resources, tax base, and industry Severe inflation: Government printed money to pay war debts and reparations This devalued the mark People directly affected Unemployed or overworked

Economic Effects Costs of war and the terms of the treaty led to the collapse of German economy Dawes Plan (1924): $200 million loan from U.S. slowed inflation and stabilized German economy Germans dependent on U.S. support