Treaty of versailles

• • Treaty was to bring peace after WW1- signed 28th June 1919.
  • Germany was not allowed to have a representative in the peace discussions in Paris.
  • German chancellor, Schiedemann resigned in protest to the Treaty.
  • Germans had no option but to accept the terms.
  • Treaty was forced on Germany - The treaty was a diktat (been dictated to them)
• Land

  • Germany lost 13% of land
  • E.G west Prussia was given to Poland to create a polish corridor to have access to the sea. North Schleswig joined Denmark. The saar was ruled by the League of Nations for 15 years.
• Repayments

  • Germany faced heavy fines.
  • Had to pay £6600 million to the allies to pay for war damage.
• Military power

  • This was done to deter Germany from beginning another war.
  • NO air force, small navy and no submarines, army of only 100,000
  • Germany forbidden from having soldiers in Rhineland.
• Article 231

  • Admit that she was responsible for beginning the war and creating all the damage.
• Empire

  • Germany lost all of her Empire.
• Allied aspect

  • Britan - 'squeeze the German orange until the pips squeak'. His aim was to ensure that no single over-powerful country was left in Europe after 1919.
  • France- Wished for revenge.
  • America- Woodrow wilson, had the most influence. Wanted to abolish any country's selfish motivations.
• Why did Germany hate the treaty?

  • They thought the army could've won the war, but the politicians had betrayed them. Just wanted to blame someone.
  • They think that the politicians who had discussed peace in November 1918 had betrayed them. 'November criminals'.