the treaty of versailles

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‘The Kaiser has abdicated. Abdication of the Crown Prince. Ebert becomes Chancellor.’

How and why did the ‘Big Three’ want to punish Germany?

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To find out:

• What members of the public in allied countries thought of the Germans in 1918

• The terms of the Treaty of Versailles

• What the German people thought of the Treaty of Versailles

Background

The Peace of Paris summit was held in the Versailles Palace from 1919 and 1920, where 5 total treaties were drafted to settle post-war agreements.

•Representatives from 27 countries were invited, though the Central Powers and Communist Russia were barred from the conference.

–A main ‘Council of Ten’ consisted of ministers from the U.S., France, Britain, Italy, and Japan. They approved of and made the major decisions.

–The ‘Big Four’ in the Council, Woodrow Wilson, Clemenceau, Lloyd George, and Orlando, had the main say. Many of the smaller countries were ignored, including Japan but also Italy in numerous cases.

–Secret meetings that excluded most countries were common, most of which involved Clemenceau (France).

27 countries but 3 made most of the decisions

The Situation for GermanyThe German representatives, led by Count Brockdorff-Rantzau, arrived at Versailles in April 29, 1919 only to find that they were uninvited to the conference. They stayed in their hotel for over 2 weeks before the Treaty of Versailles was shown to them.

The German delegates at Versailles

•The Germans had been under the impression for a more lenient treaty due to Wilson’s Fourteen Points

•Presented with harsher demands than expected, yet were unable to negotiate or

discuss any of the terms

•Forced to agree to the Treaty or else risk an Allied invasion of Germany

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During the War –Great WarAfter-The war to end all WarsLater(When WW2 started)-WW 1U.S.- Europe's War

Why was this war called different things ?

Aims of the Big Three

• The three leaders who were involved were Georges Clemenceau of France, Woodrow Wilson of the USA, and David Lloyd George Prime Minister of Great Britain. Clemenceau of France and George of Great Britain both blamed Germany and wanted them to be punished. Woodrow and the USA had the idea of 14 points which was to set peace between most European countries.

End of the Great War-War to end all Wars•Second Battle of the

Marne (7/18) - Last Major German Offensive

•Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates

•Armistice – Agreement to end fighting 11:00am 11/11/18

Armistice

• What is the difference between a armistice and a surrender ? (Armistice is a Ceasefire)(Surrender-I give ,you win)

• How do you think this affected the Central Powers (Germany) ?Germany went to Paris thinking it would be treated as an armistice

Global War

• Resources and soldiers from colonies(We will surely get our Independence ! Not)

• Fought in Asia and Africa - Allies gained German colonies

• British get help from Middle East colonies of Ottoman Empire conquered the Ottoman’s – expected independence at war’s end Could this have caused hard feelings towards the west

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“Through the doors at the end…come four officers of France,

Great Britain, America and Italy. And then, isolated and

pitiable, come the two Germans, Dr. Muller and Dr. Bell. The

silence is terrifying…They keep their eyes fixed away from

those two thousand staring eyes, fixed on the ceiling. They are

deathly pale…There is general tension. They sign. There is

general relaxation…We kept our seats while the Germans

were conducted like prisoners from the dock.”

(Harold Nicolson, Peacemaking, 1919.)

After reading this source, how do you think the Germans felt at the end of World War One?

Peace

Paris Peace Conference

• 5 Separate Peace Treaties known as the Peace of Paris

• Central Powers not invited

• Big 3 - Allied Powers: Great Britain, US, France, Italy thought it was the Big 4

Treaty of VersaillesGermany got a R.A.W. Deal• R.eparations – payments to victors

for war damages ($33B)• A.llied Punishments

– De-militarized Germany– Took Germany’s colonies– Gave Alsace Lorraine to France– Took Saar Basin (coal supplies)– Took Rhineland (buffer zone)

• W.ar Guilt – Germany had to accept total blame for the war

R.A.W.

Lives Lost

Russia 1,700,000*France 1,357,000Great Britain 908,000United States 130,174Germany 1,800,000Austria 1,200,000Total Deaths 8-9M*Russia had the most total casualtiesTotal Casualties 37M

Looking at these numbers, which of the big 3 do you think wanted Germany punished harshly? The easiest ?

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Great Britain, America and France were the three

most powerful Allies and they wanted to exert their

influence upon the Treaty of Versailles.

Yet they wanted different things

On to exercise

Once you have viewed each

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Lloyd George (UK)

•Germany to be justly punished, but not too harshly

•Germany to lose its navy and colonies as these were a threat

to Britain's own navy and empire

•Germany and Britain to become trading partners

Click on the bulb to find out

more

BUT Overall, Lloyd George did not want to punish Germany too harshly

as he did not want Germany seeking revenge in the future

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Lloyd George (UK)

There was pressure at home to make Germany pay – if he had been too soft he would have been voted out as PM. Lloyd George hated the Treaty. However "Hang the Kaiser" and "Make Germany Pay" were two very common calls in the era immediately after the end of the war and Lloyd George, looking for public support, echoed these views.

He liked the fact that Britain got German colonies, and the small German navy helped British sea-power. But, although many British people wanted to ‘make Germany pay’, Lloyd George thought that the Treaty was too harsh, and that it would start another war in 25 years time.

What did Lloyd George

like and dislike about the Treaty?

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Clemenceau (France)

• to cripple Germany so it couldn't attack France again.

•Wanted Germany broken down into smaller states

(weakened).

France had suffered the most during the war so Clemenceau

was under great pressure from the French people to

make Germany pay.


more

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Clemenceau (France)

Clemenceau liked the harsh things that were in the Treaty, especially reparations, because they would weaken Germany while helping France to recover. He had one very simple belief - Germany should be brought to its knees so that she could never start a war again (France had been invaded by Germany before in 1871).

He liked the idea of a small German army, and the demilitarised zone in the Rhineland, because he thought that this would protect France from attack in the future. Also, he was pleased that France received Alsace-Lorraine as this had been taken off France by Germany in 1871. In truth though, he wanted the Treaty to be harsher.

What did Clemenceau

like and dislike about the Treaty?

Wilson’s Fourteen PointsThree Goals:•Ensure lasting peace(Peace without Victory)•Right to choose government•League of Nations – International body of representatives from each country with the purpose of maintaining peace

What do you think the political cartoon means?

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Wilson (USA)

• a better and more peaceful world

• a League of Nations that would help and support each other and help to

promote world peace

• the right to self-determination. The right to decide which country you

wish to be governed by

The U.S.A. had joined war late (1917) and hadn't suffered as much as the other Allies

in terms of human and material costs.


more

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Wilson (USA)

Wilson got self-determination for the peoples of Eastern Europe, and a League of Nations, but he was disappointed with the Treaty because few of his ‘Fourteen Points’ were acted upon.

Worst of all, when Wilson went back to America, the Senate refused to join the League of Nations, and refused to sign the Treaty of Versailles! In America, there was a growing desire for the government to adopt a policy of isolation and leave Europe to its own devices. Wilson believed that Germany should be punished, but in a way that would lead to European reconciliation (peace) as opposed to revenge (war).

What did Wilson like and dislike

about the treaty?

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Treaty Of VersaillesTreaty Of Versailles

LeaderLeaderss

Wanted Wanted Did not wantDid not want

David Lloyd

George

Woodrow Wilson

George Clemencea

u

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What does this source tell you about the British public’s feelings towards Germany in 1918?

“The Germans, if this government is elected, are going to pay

every penny; they are going to be squeezed, as a lemon is

squeezed, until the pips squeak.”

(Sir Eric Geddes, December 1918)

Sir Eric Geddes was Minister of Munitions in Britain, Controller of the Navy and First Lord of the Admiralty at different points during

The First World War.

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Does this information help you to understand why so many people wanted revenge after the war?

Around 8 million people had been killed

The cost of the war was roughly nine thousand million pounds

The destruction of land, homes, farms and factories was huge

Millions more people died after the war due to famine and

disease“In France and Belgium, where most of the war was fought,

300,000 houses, 6,000 factories, 1,000 miles of railway, 2,000

breweries and 112 coal mines were destroyed…In some ways,

mankind has never recovered from the horrors of the First

World War.”

John D. Clare, First World War (1994)

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Does this information help you to understand why so many people wanted revenge after the war?

Does this information help you to understand why so many people wanted Peace after the war?

“In France and Belgium, where most of the war was fought,

300,000 houses, 6,000 factories, 1,000 miles of railway, 2,000

breweries and 112 coal mines were destroyed…In some ways,

mankind has never recovered from the horrors of the First

World War.”

John D. Clare, First World War (1994)

Around 8 million people had been killed

The cost of the war was roughly nine thousand million pounds

The destruction of land, homes, farms and factories was huge

Millions more people died after the war due to famine and

disease

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Discuss how difficult must it have been for the Allies to get the right balance between punishment and creating a lasting

peace?

“The British General Election in December 1918 was

punctuated by bellowings that the Kaiser should be

hanged, that Germany should pay up….Few realised

the harmful effects of uniformed and aggressive public

opinion which had been aroused by years of war

propaganda, and whipped up by the popular press…”

Martin Kitchen, Europe Between The Wars, 1988.

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How would the German people have felt about the terms of the Treaty?

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Germany had to accept total responsibility for starting the First World War.

this was called the War Guilt Clause or Article 231.

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Germany had to pay £6,600 million in reparations to cover war damages and other Allied losses.

These were called reparations.

What will Germany do to meet payments later? Print more

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Germany had to hand over some 70,000 square kilometres of land.

This accounted for about 13% of all of her land and six million of her people who lived there.

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Germany was to have her colonies taken away from her.

These colonies were to become mandates run by the Allies on behalf of the League of Nations.

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The German army was to have no more than 100,000 men and the navy was limited to 15,000 sailors.

There was to be no airforce and no submarines.

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The German navy was only allowed six battleships and Germany was forbidden to buy any more weapons and other war material.

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You now need to complete the card sorting activity on the terms of the Treaty of Versailles

An Allied Army was to occupy the Rhineland for a period of fifteen years.

No German troops were to be allowed into the occupation zone.

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The Treaty seemed to satisfy the "Big Three" overall.

• It made sure that Germany was too weak to start another European War, yet strong enough to help stop the spread of

Communism.

• It kept the French border with Germany safe from future German attacks.

• It created the League of Nations. This would help promote peace and trade throughout the world.

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Germans hated the treaty, especially Article 231 which

blamed them for starting the war.

Many Germans also thought the financial penalties that the

treaty imposed upon their country and her people to be

immoral and unjust.

The German Government that had agreed to the treaty became

known as the "November Criminals“.

Many German citizens felt that they were now being punished

for the mistakes of the Kaiser and German government of

August 1914 who had started the war as well as the

government of 1919 that had signed the treaty that brought

peace.

Effects on GermanyThe unfair treatment of Germany in the conference and wrongful admission of its guilt in the Treaty outraged the German people. Besides the mutual unpopular feelings toward the Treaty though, there were plenty of other negative effects on the country.

•Political distrust arose as the German people felt betrayed by their government, now known as the ‘November Criminals’, for even agreeing to the Treaty.

•Loss of territory reduced the population by 10%. Industrial productivity decreased by 13% since some of the lost regions were rich in minerals and coal.

•Loss of military power meant that Germany was now defenseless against virtually any country.

•High reparations caused uncontrolled inflation due to the worthless value of the mark (1 USD=25 billion marks), widespread unemployment, and many starving citizens.

Over all, Germany was left in a weakened but extremely bitter state. The nearly impossible challenges the Weimar Republic faced guaranteed the failure of a German democracy. Socialism and nationalism became more appealing as the situation worsened.

–Annual reparations as high as to Allies would continue for according to plan, producing a long-term state of financial slavery in Germany.

2.3 bil. marks 60 years

What new countries were formed from Austria- Hungary ?

Map of Europe Re-drawnWhat happened to the Powder

Keg

Yugoslavia – Serbia,Bosnia, HertzegoveniaMontenegro, Croatia, Slovenia

Created by the CongressOf Vienna - created nationalisticfeelings

Versailles Settlement in Europe

League of Nations Mandates in Africa

League of Nations Mandates in the Middle East

What 3 countries were upset at the Treaty of Versailles ?

• Germany , Italy , and Japan

Effects on Italy and JapanItaly and Japan were anticipating to gain major territories for their war efforts. Both were extremely left dissatisfied with the Treaty in the end.

Trentino Region

Dalmatian Islands

Micronesian Islands

Marshall IslandsMariana Islands

Carolines

Several colonies Japan received

Several regions Italy received

Italy

•Received select areas in Asia Minor and Austria-Hungary •Expected more territory, but was refused this especially by Wilson’s beliefs in self-determination

Japan•Received former German colonies in Pacific islands

•Wanted control of territory in China, especially in Manchuria, but only a fraction of the land they felt they deserved was given

•Requested for racial equality to be included in the Treaty and was denied this, mocking Japanese nationalism

1,891,514,634.27 lira•Rewards barely compensating for the massive war debt, owed to the U.S. aloneThis will leave Italy angry at the west.

Impact on GermanyThe Treaty of Versailles drastically affected Germany’s post-war fate and limited its recovery in the following decade. The conditions created by the severe demands of the Treaty would affect Germany’s role in WWII.

•Guilt Clause 231: direct blame on Germany for causing WWI

•Territory: control of Germany’s most industrialized and farmed areas would be distributed among the Allies.

–Lost all its colonies, Alsace-Lorraine and the Saar Basin to France, Upper Silesia to Poland, etc

•Military: no importing/exporting of arms and Rhineland region lost military power.

–Limited to 100,000 soldiers, 6 warships, and no submarines, tanks, or aircraft

•Trading: lost its former markets and banned from trading in Allied markets

•Economy: total reparation undecided, but required a €6, 600 million down payment. Germany also was to sign a “blank check” to cover future payments

Importance of the Treaty of Versailles

1. Big three talked about Versailles, and other treaties.2. Outlined Principles, self-determination.3. League of Nations was set up by Versailles.4. Major Powers were involved. Germany lost power

while Britain and France gained power and didn’t have to worry about Austria or Turkey.

5. Afterwards, Versailles led to Hitler and world War II.

Six Terms of the Treaty of Versailles

• Guilt clause 231: was when Germany accepted blame for causing all loss and damage.

• Army- 100,000 men / 6 battle ships / Rhineland demilitarized.• Reparations- 6,600 million- in installments• Germany lost land- Alsace-Lorraine, Saar to France.• League of Nations set up• Extra points- forbade Anschluss, Lithuania independent states. (G-A-R-G-L-E)

How the Germans Felt• Unfairly treated- no part in conference. talks• Guilt• Armed Forces- Meant Germany could not defend itself against

even small countries.• Reparations- Starved German children, had to pay large

amounts of money for a long time.• Germany lost territory- a humiliation/ contrary to self

determination• League of Nations- an insult, meant Germany couldn’t defend

itself in the League.• Extra- forbidding Anschluss was against self determination.• Results- riots in Berlin (U GARGLER)

Treaty of Versailles1919

º

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1. In which year was the Treaty of Versailles signed?

2. How many soldiers were the German army allowed to retain under the treaty?

3. How much land was taken off Germany within Europe?

4. What phrase did the Germans use when referring to the treaty and treaty negotiations?

5. How much were the Germans supposed to pay the Allies in reparations?

1919

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Treaty of Versailles and WWIIThe effects of the Treaty produced an environment which encouraged yet another world war, therefore it could be seen as one of the main causes for WWII.

•Germany was left angered but desperate for recovery, which Hitler’s nationalist socialist beliefs provided a solution for.

•The Treaty lacked any real enforcement later on since France and Britain didn’t want to risk war, allowing Hitler to grow the German military without action taken against him.

–Same case with Italy’s conquest of Ethiopia and Japan’s attacks on China

•With similar goals in achieving more world power and territory that the Treaty had tried to deny, Germany, Italy, and Japan were able to unite as the Axis Powers.

Japan, Italy, and Germany

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100,000

1919

70,000 sq km

Diktat

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Terms of the treatyDamage Germany

economically

Damage Germany militarily

Damage Germany’s

pride

70,000 sq km of land was taken away from Germany No overseas colonies

Germany’s army was reduced to 100,000 men

She was not allowed an air force

She was allowed only 6 battleships and no submarines

Allied troops to occupy the Rhineland at all times

Germany had to accept full responsibility for starting the war.

Germany had to pay £6,600 million in reparations

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www.johndclare.net/peace_treaties1.htmThis part of John D. Clare’s website looks at The Conference, Aims, Terms, German Reactions and Verdicts. There are also revision sheets, tests and a booklet that you can download.

www.johndclare.net/ToV5_cloze.htmThis takes you directly to an interactive test on John D. Clare’s

website where pupils can check their answers and print out a revision sheet.

END

www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWversailles.htmThis page from Spartacus looks at some of the clauses within the

Treaty and provides written comments and observations from 1919 (sources).

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100,000

1919

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100,000

1919

70,000 sq km

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100,000

1919

70,000 sq km

Diktat

£6,600 million

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Describe the reaction of the German people to the Treaty of Versailles?

(2 marks)

WJEC, Paper 1, Study In-Depth, June 2004

Planning your response:

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Terms of the treatyDamage Germany

economically

Damage Germany militarily

Damage Germany’s

pride

Click here for the Terms

the treaty of versailles

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