Treaty of versailles

• The leader of the new German government could not negotiate. It was a case of sign or face renewed attacks by the Allies
• The treaty was publicly signed in humiliating circumstances at Versailles in June 1919
• What Germany lost under the Versailles Treaty


  • 10% of its land
  • 12.5% of its population
  • 15% of its coal fields
  • Almost half of its iron and steel industry
• Germany's overseas colonies became mandates ruled by victorious countries (mainly Britain or France) on behalf of the League of Nations
• Severe limits put on Germany's armed forces


  • Army limited to 100,000 troops
  • No conscription, only volunteers
  • No tanks, submarines or military aircraft
  • Navy limited to 6 battleships
  • Rhineland demilitarised
• Germany had to pay £6,600 million in reparations
• The treaty was signed on the 28th June 1919
• Reparations were paid through annual instalments over 38 years
• The total amount of money owed was reduced from £6,600m to £3,700m in 1924