What were the terms of the treaty? Army reduced to 100 000 Navy of just 6 battle ships – no submarines No air force Land lost to Belgium, France, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Denmark Lost overseas colonies Reparations of £6.6 billion No military allowed in the Rhineland Accept full blame for causing war – the War Guilt Clause Terms of the treaty came as a real shock to most Germans. They believed they would get a much fairer peace based on Wilson’s 14 points. This promised all nationalities self determination but this Treaty left 6 million Germans living in foreign countries like Poland, Czechoslovakia and France. The Germans were furious but could do nothing as they were thoroughly defeated. Nevertheless their anger would not disappear not matter how many years passed – they would get revenge for what they called the shame of Versailles. The aspect of the treaty they hated the most was the war Guilt clause because it made them solely responsible for starting the war . This was a dishonour and a disgrace to many Germans who did not feel it was just or fair. They felt betrayed What aspects of the Treaty do you think Germans hated the most and why?

Why did Germans oppose it? Felt humiliated by it – had not negotiated it. Forced to accept it. Germans called it the Diktat. Many did not believe Germany had lost war but had been betrayed by politicians in Germany. Made to accept blame, lost land, money – very difficult to recover from it Why did they accept it? Notes on slide are fairly self explanatory but again emphasise that this was not something Germans would forget in a hurry. Could possibly introduce the idea of some German one day rising to the fore and avenging the treaty – students should twig that this was exactly what Adolf Hitler did. Had no choice! Accept the treaty or war will continue and Germany will suffer even more. Germany was too weak and damaged by war to fight on. Many Germans promised to get revenge as soon as they could