Treaty of Versailles

• When did the fighting in the First World War end?

  November 11th, 1918
• What was the significance of the Treaty of Versailles for Germany?


  It was perceived as very harsh and humiliating by many Germans
• What did many Germans hope the Treaty of Versailles would be based on?

  Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points
• What was the War Guilt clause number in the Treaty of Versailles?


  231
• What territory did Germany lose under the Treaty of Versailles?


  13% of its territory, including West Prussia and the Saar
• What restrictions were placed on the German military by the Treaty of Versailles?


  Restricted to 100,000 men, no tanks or military aircraft
• How many battleships was the German navy allowed under the Treaty of Versailles?


  6 battleships
• What was the total amount of reparations Germany had to pay according to the Treaty of Versailles?

  £6,600 million
• What was the duration over which Germany was to pay reparations?

  60 years
• Who was the Chancellor of Germany that signed the Treaty of Versailles?


  Chancellor Bauer
• What was the reaction of many soldiers and nationalists to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles?


  They claimed that Socialist politicians had betrayed Germany
• What did General Hindenburg claim about the socialist politicians in November 1919?


  He claimed they were unpatriotic and had 'stabbed the army in the back'
• How did Hindenburg's statements affect the perception of the military's role in Germany's defeat?


  It shifted the blame from the military to the socialist politicians
• What was the view of some working-class voters regarding the Treaty of Versailles?

  They believed the Kaiser was to blame for the war
• What did the German government encourage in response to the invasion of the Ruhr area?


  Workers to go on strike, known as 'passive resistance'
• What economic issue arose as a result of the government printing more money to aid striking workers?

  Hyper-inflation
• What was the impact of hyper-inflation on the German middle class?


  They lost their savings and faced economic misery
• What was the Kapp Putsch of 1920 a reaction to?


  The Treaty of Versailles and disbanding of the Freikorp
• What was the main political damage caused by the Treaty of Versailles to the Weimar Republic?


  It led to accusations of betrayal against the socialist government
• How did the right-wing view the signing of the Treaty of Versailles?


  They viewed it as a betrayal by the socialist government
• What was the significance of the term 'November criminals'?


  It referred to the socialist government accused of betraying Germany
• What was the reaction of the right to the economic problems faced by Germany in the 1920s?


  They blamed the democratic government and the Treaty of Versailles
• What was the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on the German population's perception of their government?


  It led to widespread resentment and distrust towards the Weimar government
• What was the main argument against the reparations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles?


  They were seen as too high and crippling for the economy
• How did the Treaty of Versailles affect the territorial integrity of Germany?


  It separated millions of German speakers into non-German states
• What was the view of the Germans regarding the War Guilt clause?


  It was seen as an unjust humiliation
• What was the impact of the collapse of empires to the east of Germany?


  It secured Germany’s eastern borders against possible threats
• What was the significance of the Dawes Plan agreed in 1924 for Germany?


  It allowed Germany to borrow more than it was paying out
• What was the German military's view on the Treaty of Versailles?


  They felt it was unjust discrimination against a proud nation
• What was the restriction placed on German conscription by the Treaty of Versailles?


  It was banned
• What were the main consequences of the Treaty of Versailles for the Weimar Republic?


  • Political damage: Accusations of betrayal against the socialist government
  • Economic issues: Hyper-inflation and national debt
  • Social unrest: Kapp Putsch and Munich Putsch
  • Territorial losses: 13% of territory lost
• What were the arguments for and against the severity of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany?


  Arguments for severity:

  • Harsh reparations and territorial losses
  • Military restrictions seen as humiliation

  
  

  Arguments against severity:

  • Reparations manageable at 7% of national income
  • Germany had initiated the war
  • Some territorial losses were expected