Treaty Of Versailles Flashcards
(20 cards)
What were the results of the Treaty in Germany
The German government resigned.
German newspapers vowed revenge.
The Germans scuttled their navy and had to be invaded (1921)
To make them pay reparations.
There was a rebellion (the kapp Putsch) against the treaty.
Right wing Germany groups accused the Jews and the politicians.
When did WW1 end?
It ended November 11th 1918 when Germany signed the “Amistice”. This was an unconditional surrender.
Who where the big three?
Georges Clemenceau- France
Woodrow Wilson - USA
David Lloyd George - GB
What did Georges Clemenceau want?
He wanted revenge and punishment- including “ to make Germany pay” until Germany was too weak to attack France again.
He wanted Germany split up to create an independent Rhineland.
What did David Lloyd George want?
He had won the 1918 election by promising to “ make Germany pay”, but really he wanted trade with Germany and to increase the British empire.
What did Woodrow Wilson want?
He wanted world peace based on his “ 14 points” - including self-determination, a League of Nations, no secret treaty’s, free trade, disarmament, polish independence
What was the peace conference like?
Chaotic.
Wilson could not agree with Clemenceau. In the end, Lloyd George made them compromise ( the fountainebleau memorandum, 25th of March 1919)
What were the territorial changes made under Versailles?
Germany lost all its empires (administered by France and Britain as mandates)
Ten percent of its land in Europe including Alice Lorraine, their polish corridor ( west Prussia and Posen) Anschluss with Austria was forbidden.
What were the military restrictions made by Versailles.
The German army was limited to 100 thousand men, in the end, their navy was cut to 6 battleships, and were forbidden to have conscription, planes or submarines… Plus the Rhineland was demilitarised.
What was the reparations settlement made by Versailles?
These eventually set at 6.6 billion. Profits from the Saar coalfields to go to the French for 15 years. Germany had 66 years to pay and could pay in gold or goods.
What was the war guilt clause?
In article 231 of the treaty, Germany had to admit responsibility “ for causing all the loss and damage to which the allied governments and their peoples had been subjected as a result of the war”. This was the justification for reparations.
How did the Germans react?
Outrage
Germany had not been involved in the negotiations. They didn’t believe they had been defeated; they had signed the armistice. They had expected a mild peace based on the 14 points they especially hated article 231, believing Russia had stared the war.
How satisfied was Clemenceau?
More than others.
France got Alice Lorraine, German colonies, harsh reparations, a tiny German army.
But many French people wanted an independent, not a demilitarised Rhineland. Most French people did not think the League of Nations would protect them against Germany.
What was the reaction in France?
There was an outcry in France because the treaty was not harsh enough; Clemenceau fell from power.
How satisfied was Wilson?
Least satisfied.
Woodrow Wilson got the League of Nations,and new nation-states were set up in Eastern Europe. But… Wilson thought the treaty was far too harsh. Self determination proved impossible to implement
What was the reaction in the USA?
The American senate refused to ratify the treaty ( March 1920)
The USA was in “isolationist “ ( fearing that the League of Nations would drag it into European wars) and many German Americans hated the treaty.
Wilson fell from power.
How satisfied was Lloyd George?
Split.
Britain gained some German colonies and the German navy was destroyed.
But…
Thought it was too harsh - said there would be another war in twenty years’ time
What was the reaction in Britain?
British politicians (e.g. Harold Nicholson) thought the treaty “neither just nor wise”; British economist J.M Keynes believed that reparations would ruin the world economy.
What were the strengths of the Treaty?
Best possible compromise.
Did create the League of Nations.
Created many borders that still exist.
Reparations less than British war debt - fair
What were the weaknesses of the Treaty?
No one was satisfied.
Made the Germans want revenge.
One of the key reasons for the outbreak of WWII.
Germany treated unfairly in terms of self determination.
