Chap 1 – Impact of World War 1 in Europe

3 things you already knew3 things you will be learning in this chapter

World War 1…. Europe… “ang moh” region of the

world.Why called “world” war?

Do you know? There’s signs of World War One

in Singapore as well!Guess where?

The Cenotaph was built in memory of the 124 British soldiers born or resident in Singapore who gave their lives to World War One, with a second dedication added on the reverse side in remembrance to those who died in World War Two.

Steps of the Cenotaph

Vandalized in April 2012http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/cenotaph-vandal-gets-3/790744.html

In memory of WW2: “They died that we might live”

Let’s get back to WW1 in EUROPE….

TB pages 4-5

European countries competed for COLONIES.God, Glory, Gold.

European countries formed ALLIANCES.Why?Make themselves stronger; so that they

would be assisted during wartime.

NATIONALISM – desire by a nationality to become an independent country.

TB page 5Austria-Hungary (EMPIRE)Future leader of A-H got assassinated.Assassinator: Serbian who encouraged Bosnian

nationalism.Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.Russia got involved. *Russia & Serbia: allies*

WORLD WAR ONE BROKE OUT!

Germany + Austria-Hungary = Central PowersBritain + France + Russia + Italy (which switched

sides) + Japan + USA = Allied Powers

A casualty of war…

Grenade blast and devastationIn Verdun, France, WW1

General Sentiment: WW1 was an appalling waste of lives.General Sentiment: WW1 was an appalling waste of lives.

4 things about WW1Lasted for 4 years – 1914-1918.Germany had to agree to an armistice (ceasefire)

Much of the war had been fought in France, a lot of destruction in France.

Bloody war

War for 4 long years…WW1: World’s first large-

scale war.A very bloody war

(numerous civilians and soldiers perished in the war)

Finally ended in Nov 1918 with Germany signing an ARMISTICE (temporary peace agreement).

Germany did not feel it was defeated.

Impact of World War One

• Bloody War (very disastrous!)– Numerous young men were

either killed, wounded or missing in the course of battle.

– Millions of civilians perished.– Properties and agricultural land

destroyed.

The world longed for peace!Wor

Paris Peace Conference (1919)Aim: Victorious powers met to discuss the terms for

establishing peace (Treaty of Versailles), as well as the price Germany had to pay for the war.

Qns to keep in mind: To what extent was the TOV a fair treaty?

What is a FAIR treaty?Is it possible to have a FAIR treaty to all parties?

Palace of Versailles

Hall of Mirrors,Present Day

Discussions were held in Versailles, Paris and continued for about 5 months.

Leaders of the USA, France and Britain formulated the peace treaty known as the Treaty of Versailles – these leaders were known as “Big Three” as they were the more powerful countries among the Allied Powers and had contributed the most towards winning the war.

Germans were not invited to the Paris Peace Conference, and not consulted on the terms of the treaty.

Discussion led mainly by ‘Big Three’: Woodrow Wilson

(President of USA)Georges Clemanceau

(Prime Minister of France)

David Llyod George (Prime Minister of Britain)

The Big Three

Germany

Not invited to the Paris Peace Conference and not consulted on the terms of the treaty

Banned from the discussion, which lasted for about 5 months.

Woodrow Wilson (USA)

Georges Cleamenceau (France)

David Llyod George

(Britain)

All 3 leaders had different viewpoints. (TB page 6-8)

President of USA

Wilson’s Fourteen Points (TB p. 9)

4. General reduction of armaments.5. Adjustment of colonial claims in the interest of the inhabitants.6. German evacuation and international recognition of Russia7. German evacuation of Belgium8. German evacuation of France and return of Alsace-Lorraine to France10. Independence for various national groups in Austria-Hungary13. Independent Poland with access to the sea14. A league of nations to provide collective security for ‘small and great nations alike’

Wartime prime minister of

France. Known as the ‘Tiger’ for his

pursuit of ‘war until the end

against Germany in 1918.

Wartime Prime Minister of Britain. (He personally opposed treating Germany too harshly, as he feared an unfair peace would lead to another war.)

Summary of the motivations and aims of the various representativesJapan and Italy: principally concerned with

getting the territorial gains promised to them for their contributions in the war.

Britain and France: keep Germany weakUSA: securing the Fourteen Points than to

shape the future of Germany14 Pts: e.g. disarmament; set up an

association of nations to maintain world peace

http://www.history.com/videos/treaty-of-versailles-end-world-war-i#treaty-of-versailles-end-world-war-i

What did the Germans hope for?A treaty that is not so harsh and one that is

fair to Germany.

What did the Germans get?

A (Spoilt) BR-A-T!

Terms of the Treaty of VersaillesB – BLAME

R – Reparations

Germany had to accept complete Blame for causing World War 1 according to Article 231 (War Guilt Clause). 

Germany had to pay 6,600 million pounds (Reparations) for all the damage caused in the war.

A – Army

Military scale-back (Demilitarisation)

T – Territorial Reductions

Germany lost Territories and Colonies.

AIMS OF THE TOVAims of the TOV Who do you

think want this to happen?

1. Make Germany Pay2. Make sure Germany would not be a threat to world peace3. Allow for self-determination

AIMS OF THE TOVAims of the TOV Who do you

think want this to happen?

1. Make Germany Pay

Clemenceau (France)

2. Make sure Germany would not be a threat to world peace

Clemenceau (France)

3. Allow for self-determination

Wilson (USA)

AIMS OF TOV HANDOUT

Alsace-Lorraine: given to ______________Rhineland – mark out the area yourself:

_____________________ zone. Germany was never to have _______ in the Rhineland. _________ troops were to occupy the Rhineland until 1934.

The _______ region of the Saar remained _________ but was to be run by the ________________________________________ until 1934. Any profits that the industries made were to be given to ________________.

Alsace-Lorraine: given to FranceRhineland – mark out the area yourself:

Demilitarized zone. Germany was never to have troops in the Rhineland. Allied troops were to occupy the Rhineland until 1934.

The industrial region of the Saar remained German but was to be run by the League of Nations until 1934. Any profits that the industries made were to be given to France.

West Prussia + Posen: Germany had to give up this territory to form the Polish Corridor so as to give _________ independent access to the sea.

Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia: land taken from _____________ by Germany and later taken from ____________ at Versailles.

Austria: Germany was forbidden to form a ________________ and economic union with _________________________ Austria, in order to limit Germany’s ______________

West Prussia + Posen: Germany had to give up this territory to form the Polish Corridor so as to give Poland independent access to the sea.

East Prussia: remained GermanPoland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia: land

taken from Russia by Germany and later taken from Germany at Versailles.

Austria: Germany was forbidden to form a political and economic union with German-speaking Austria, in order to limit Germany’s power

FINANCIAL (BLAME – REPARATIONS)• Article 231 – Germany had to accept

complete blame for causing World War 1

Article 231, Treaty of Versailles – TB p. 34

The Allied and Associated Governments affirm and Germany accepts the responsibility of Germany and her allies for causing all the loss and damage to which the Allied and Associated Governments and their nationals have been subjected to as a consequence of the war imposed upon them by the aggression of Germany and her allies… Germany has to pay compensation to the Allies… failing which the Allies will have the right to occupy its territories.

FINANCIAL (BLAME – REPARATIONS)• Germany had to pay compensation to

the Allied Powers for all the damage caused in the war.

• The reparations demanded from Germany: 6600 million pounds.

• The industrial region of the Saar remained German but was to be run by the League of Nations until 1934. Any profits that the industries made were to be given to France.

Purpose?To make Germany 'admit' that she was

solely responsible for the war and to use this as the basis of paying war reparations.

The profits from the coalfields were to be given to the French as part of the reparations.

ConsequencesThe Germans bitterly resented being blamed

for the War. They felt that they were being blamed because they had lost.

Germany found it impossible to pay the reparations. The USA had to lend huge amounts of money to Germany to help it pay.

The territories annexed by the Allied powers led to the loss of some of Germany's richest sources of wealth eg. the coalfields of Saar and the iron industries of the Alsace-Lorraine.

What about the Germans?

The Treaty of Versailles crippled Germany by taking away land, money and arms.

The Germans had not been consulted about any of this, but were

simply ordered to sign it without discussion.

They called it a 'Diktat' or a dictated peace.

Army (Disarmament)Tight limitations were placed on Germany’s armed forces.Size of army was limited to 100 000 men.Conscription was not allowed; only volunteers could join the army. Size of the navy was limited to 15 000 men.The navy could have only 6 battleships. Not allowed to have an air force.Not allowed to have tanks.Not allowed to have submarines.Germany was not allowed to keep any troops in the Rhineland. Allied troops would be stationed there for 15 years.

Territorial ReductionsMuch of the land that belonged to Germany and

Austria before the war was redistributed amongst the Allied Powers.

Germany lost all her overseas colonies in Africa and Asia Pacific.

Germany lost Alsace-Lorraine to France.Germany had to give up the territory between

Germany and East Prussia to form the Polish Corridor to give Poland independent access to the sea.

Germany was not allowed to unite with Austria. (not allowed to form a political and economic union with German-speaking Austria, in order to limit Germany’s power)

Other Terms of the TOVSelf-Determination

People previously belonging to Austria-Hungary in Central Europe with a common identity were given the right to govern themselves.

Formation of the League of Nations:A League of Nations was to be set up to

maintain world peace.

Purpose?To make Germany pay.To allow for self-determinationNew countries created in Eastern Europe would be a buffer around Germany. To weaken Germany

ConsequencesWhen Germany began to build up its strength

again after the War, the new countries were too small and weak to stand up to Germany.

It became a matter of pride for Germany to recover its European lands, especially because these contained many Germans who wanted to be a part of Germany. (No plebiscite)

Germany was split into 2. Germany was no longer distracted by looking

after an overseas Empire. It could now concentrate on its own position in Europe.

Purpose?To contain and control Germany's military

strength so that she would never fight again.

To make France feel safe.

Purpose?To make Germany 'admit' that she was solely responsible for the war and to use this as the basis of paying war reparations.

The profits from the coalfields were to be given to the French as part of the reparations.

Assignment!Review the aims and motivations of the Big

Three + Germany.

Which aims were met?Which aims were not met?

WHY DID THE GERMANS FEEL THAT THE TOV WAS UNFAIR? (handout)

WHY DID THE ALLIED POWERS FEEL THAT THE TOV WAS FAIR?

(handout)

USAMotivations and aims of country

Aims that were met

Aims that were not met

• Unwillingness to be involved in further conflicts.

• Wilson wanted to establish his Fourteen Points as a basis for lasting peace and international cooperation

• Wilson’s Fourteen Points were implemented and served as the basis for the TOV.

• Agreement that a League of Nations would be formed.

N.A.

ConclusionThe Treaty of Versailles was largely an

unfair treaty because the victorious powers imposed extremely harsh punishments on Germany through the War Guilt Clause, the reparation payments and significant territorial reductions. The terms of the treaty were forced on Germany without consideration of its ability to recover from the war.

Why did Germany resent the TOV?

We wanted a fair treaty and got nothing of the sort. The German population feels angry and in part, humiliated by the terms. This treaty does not stand for right. It is a dictated peace that will provoke fresh hatred between the nations. This peace will not be a peace that will last.

We wanted a fair treaty and got nothing of the sort. The German population feels angry and in part, humiliated by the terms. This treaty does not stand for right. It is a dictated peace that will provoke fresh hatred between the nations. This peace will not be a peace that will last.

German President Friedrich EbertGerman President Friedrich Ebert

Impact of the TOV – German humiliation

The Germans were greatly angered at having to accept total blame for causing the war.

The War Guilt Clause formed the basis for the limitations, territorial reductions and reparations placed on Germany.

The Germans felt greatly humiliated and wronged as they felt that they did not feel that they deserved total blame for the war.

However, the newly formed post-war Weimar government of Germany had no choice but to accept the Treaty or resume fighting.

Why did the Germans resent the territorial losses? (TB p. 10)

Why did the Germans resent the territorial losses? (TB p. 35)

“They are taking away our land, our people, our coalfields and our colonial possessions. How do they expect us to survive and start afresh without these

areas that support our industrial growth?”

“They are taking away our land, our people, our coalfields and our colonial possessions. How do they expect us to survive and start afresh without these

areas that support our industrial growth?”

Impact of the TOV – German territorial reductions

The loss of German territories greatly reduced Germany’s standing amongst the world powers.

Germany not only lost its overseas colonies in Africa and the Asia-Pacific, but also resource-rich regions such as the Saar coal region as well as parts of Poland.

These losses injured the pride of the German people and damaged Germany’s economy.

The treaty also prevented any further German expansion through merger with other territories, especially the former Austria-Hungary. This was because the Allies feared that this could strengthen Germany’s position in Europe.

Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire had been allies in the war. After the empire was dissolved, Austria became a separate entity. Many German nationalists thought it was reasonable for the German-speaking Austrians to be part of Germany.

Why did the Germans resent the military scale back (disarmament)?

Imagine the same situation happening to Singapore.Singapore’s war weapons were destroyed.Singapore can only have 5000 men in the

army.Singapore is not allowed to own any

battleships.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO SINGAPORE?WHAT KIND OF IMAGE WOULD SINGAPORE PORTRAY?

Impact of the TOV – German military weaknessThe harsh limitations placed on Germany’s

armed forces were meant to ensure that Germany would not be able to start another war.

This also meant that Germany was significantly less able to defend itself against the Allied Powers in the event of a military attack from its neighbours.

Demilitarisation of the Rhineland meant that Germany was not allowed to defend its borders with France.

Impact of the TOV – German economic weakness

The War Guilt Clause gave the Allies the right to demand compensation from Germany for the huge costs of WW1.

Germany was made to pay reparations through ongoing payments to the Allies and through the surrender of coal and other resources at set periods.

However, Germany was also suffering economic problems due to its efforts in the war. It lost 15% of its active male population, and thus faced a

severe shortage of abled workers to rebuild its economy.

Post-war Germany struggled with poverty, high unemployment and a fragile economy. Reparations were therefore an unwelcome burden which further worsened German economic conditions.

Dec 1922 – Germany failed to make a payment.In retaliation, France invaded the Ruhr industrial region of

Germany in 1923. They seized coal and other goods as payment.

This worsened the economic crisis in Germany and led to a general strike of the German workers in Ruhr.

The Germans were extremely bitter over the issue of reparations and the impact it had on the economy.

Self-Determination and the Creation of New BoundariesThe principle of self-determination was

entrenched within the TOV.The principle of self-determination called for the

creation of independent nation states for the various ethnic communities.

In practice, this meant that the various nationalities which made up the Austro-Hungarian Empire gained their own nation-state.

However, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was made up of different ethnic communities. The boundaries between these ethnic communities were not clear. Many areas or towns contained many different ethnic communities.

Some of them never had their own states, while some new states like Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia, were themselves combinations of different ethnic communities.

The boundaries established by the peace treaty meant that many nationalities still found themselves outside of their nation-states, such as the Germans in Czechoslovakia and in the “Free City” of Danzig.

The Germans were angry because “self-determination” seemed to apply only to the winners of the war.