treaty of versailles

• • After the first world war, Germans knew they would have to pay for damages, however they hoped for a less harsh treaty
• • had a new democratic government
  • the new republic needed support from the already weakened one
  • full blame was put on germany
• why did they wish for a less harsh treaty?

  - germany was signifcantly weaker, felt that they didn't deserve to be fully blamed
• war guilt

  • article 231 stated that Germany was blamed for starting the war, this was the most hated upon as war to the Germans was one of self-defence.
• military restrictions

  • air force was disbanded
  • army limited to 100,000 soldiers
  • navy limited to 15,000 sailors, 6 battleships, and no submarines
  • Rhineland was demilitarized
• territorial losses

  • Alsace Lorraine returned to France
  • West Prussia lost to Poland
  • Part of Upper Silesia lost to Poland
  • Saarland was administered by the League of Nations, later a plebiscite would be held to determine its future