Germans React Angrily to the Treaty

Under each of the following six points briefly explain why Germany reacted so angrily to the Treaty of Versailles.

1. Germans were no aware of the situation in 1919.

Germans had no idea that they were losing the war, so when the politicians declared an armistice, they were surprised. They were shocked when they discovered how harsh the terms of the treaty were, especially since they had been told that they were winning the war. They were then told that the generals had been "stabbed in the back" by the politicians, and that they hadn't wanted this treaty.


2. War guilt and reparations

Germany was forced to accept the blame for WWI, thus allowing the Treaty of Versailles to be officially condoned. this also allowed France to force Germany to pay them an impossible sum of money, hobbling them so that they couldn't attack again.


3. Disarmament

Germany had to limit it's military. It could only have an army of 100,000 troops at a time. it could only have 6 battleships, no aircraft, and no armord vehicles or tanks.


4. German territories

All of Germanies external colonies were taken away, it's western region was demilitarized, and about 30% of the mainland was taken away and split into different countries. It was also forbidden to join up with Austria.


5. Fourteen Points and League of Nations

The fourteen points plan was a plan that was put together by Woodrow Wilson in order to support world peace. Points 1-5 were about freedom of seas and things like that. Points 6-13 were about land divisions. And point 14 was about the League of Nations: a place where disagreements could be settled with words instead of guns.


6. Double Standards?
Germany lost the Valley of Saars, which held 15 of its most productive mines, and were expected to pay a massive debt without them.

Germany is "Punished" by the Big Three at Versailles

1. Using information and sources on pages 14 - 17, summarize the aims of the three leaders at the Paris Peace Conference.

Georges Clemenceau (France)

Attitude towards Germany:

Clemenceau saw Germany as an ever growing threat to France.

Main Aim:

Even though he personally disagreed with it, public opinion forced him to take a strong stance against Germany, namely, crippling it so it could never attack again.

How he felt about the treaty
He knew that he would need to compromise, but he took the stance anyway.

Woodrow Wilson (United States)

Attitude towards Germany:

He believed it should be punished, but not too harshly.

Main Aim:

To strengthen the democracy in Germany and achieve world peace.

How he felt about the treaty

He saw it as an opportunity to argue his 14 point plan.

David Lloyd George (Great Britain)

Attitude towards Germany:

He believed that Germany should be punished, but not too harshly

Main Aim:

He wanted to punish Germany, but not so much that Germany wants revenge. he also wants to begin a trade relationship with Germany.

How he felt about the treaty:

He saw the treaty as necessary, but didn't want to take it too far.

Main Terms of the Treaty of Versailles against Germany

2. Read pages 18 - 19. Summarize the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles:

War Guilt:

Germany had to take the blame for the war.

Reparations:

Germany had to pay for damages caused by the war, a figure of 6,600 Pounds.

German Territories and Colonies:

Germany's overseas empire was taken away, and were placed under the control of the League of Nations.

Germany's Armed Forces:

The army was limited to 100,000 men, no armored vehicles, subs, or aircraft, only six battleships, no conscription, and the Rhineland became a demilitarized zone.

League of Nations:

The League of Nations was the "International Police Force". Germany was not allowed to join until it showed it was a "peace loving country".