1. Why did the Germans hate the Treaty of Versailles?

2. What kind of treaty did the Germans get?
When the Allies assembled at Versailles in 1919 to draw up the treaty, it soon became clear that the Germans were not going to get what they hoped for.
‘Big Three’, Lloyd-George, Clemenceau & Roosevelt

3. Georges Clemenceau, French President
The emphasis seemed to be on punishing Germany. The French, in particular, wanted a peace which would weaken Germany so much that there would be no chance of it attacking France in the future.
Georges Clemenceau, French President

4. Germany was not invited to the peace negotiations
Germany was not invited to the peace negotiations. The treaty was agreed by the Allies and then presented to Germany for signing. When the Germans refused to sign it they were told that if they did not sign, war would start again.

5. Finally, Germany had no choice, but to accept
Finally, Germany had no choice, but to accept. On 28 June 1919 German representatives reluctantly signed the Treaty. But they called it ‘the shameful diktat of Versailles’.

6. Overview War Guilt Reparations
Why did Germans hate the Treaty of Versailles?
Germany’s colonies
Territorial losses
Military restrictions

7. Why did many Germans resent this clause?
War guilt
Article 231 of the Treaty stated that Germany was to blame for causing the war.
Why did many Germans resent this clause?

8. Reparations
Why did many Germans complain about reparations?
As Germany was held responsible for the war, the allies could claim reparations for the damage caused
In 1921 a special commission fixed a sum of £6,600 m. to be paid in annual instalments
The Treaty also took away 10% of Germany’s industry and 15% of its agricultural land

9. Germany’s colonies
Germany’s colonies were handed over to the League of Nations, who gave them to Britain and France to run
Why did many Germans resent the way the League of Nations running their colonies?

10. Military restrictions
Air force was disbanded
Army limited to 100,000 soldiers
Navy limited to 15,000 sailors, six battleships and no submarines
Which country was keen to restrict Germany’s navy? Why?

11. Military restrictions
Rhineland occupied by the Allies for 15 years
No German troops allowed in this area
Why were the Germans especially unhappy about these terms?

12. Which of the territorial losses would have angered the Germans most?
Alace-Lorraine returned to France
West Prussia and Posen (Polish Corridor) lost to Poland
Saarland taken over by the League of Nations for 15 years
Which of the territorial losses would have angered the Germans most?

13.  Your task
Write a short speech to deliver to the new German Reichstag explaining why you hate the terms of the Treaty of Versailles so much.