German Reactions to the Treaty of Versailles Flashcards
Why did the Germans have feelings of injustice?
They were forced to sign the war guilt clause although they did not feel they had caused the war on their own.
Why were they annoyed that they were being treated as the defeated side?
They didn’t feel that they had lost the war, as they still had an army in the field.
Why did Germans feel they had been betrayed by their politicians?
The November Criminals had signed the treaty and they saw the treaty as a diktat.
Why were Germans annoyed about disarmament?
Their army had been reduced to 100,000 men, and the army was a symbol of pride for Germans.
How did the Germans show they were annoyed about disarmament?
When the terms of the treat were announced, the German navy sank its own ships in the British naval base of Scpa Flow in the Orkney Isles, so the British could not use them.
What was the problem with the reparations?
The war was followed by economic chaos and crippling inflation in Germany, which Germans blamed on having to spend on having to pay reparations.
Why were Germans irritated by the loss of territory?
Some Germans were now living in countries ruled by foreign governments, the Saar, an important industrial area, was controlled by the league of nations, but really France. German colonies in Africa, which were a great source of pride were to be run by Britain and France.
Why else were the Germans annoyed at the treaty?
The contrast with the 14 points.
Why were the Germans annoyed about the allies claims about self-determination?
The allies claimed they wanted to give self-determination to the people of Austria-Hungary, yet the result of the treat was that many Germans were now living in a foreign country ruled by foreigners.
