Why did the Germans hate the Treaty of Versailles?

Why did the Why did the Germans hate the Germans hate the

Treaty of Treaty of Versailles?Versailles?

What kind of treaty did the What kind of treaty did the Germans get?Germans get?

When the Allies When the Allies assembled at assembled at Versailles in 1919 Versailles in 1919 to draw up the to draw up the treaty, it soon treaty, it soon became clear that became clear that the Germans were the Germans were not going to get not going to get what they hoped what they hoped for.for.

‘Big Three’, Lloyd-George, Clemenceau & Roosevelt

The emphasis The emphasis seemed to be on seemed to be on punishing Germany. punishing Germany. The French, in The French, in particular, wanted a particular, wanted a peace which would peace which would weaken Germany so weaken Germany so much that there much that there would be no chance would be no chance of it attacking of it attacking France in the future.France in the future.

Georges Clemenceau, French President

Germany was not invited to the Germany was not invited to the peace negotiations. The treaty was peace negotiations. The treaty was agreed by the Allies and then agreed by the Allies and then presented to Germany for signing. presented to Germany for signing. When the Germans refused to sign it When the Germans refused to sign it they were told that if they did not they were told that if they did not sign, war would start again.sign, war would start again.

Finally, Germany had no choice, but Finally, Germany had no choice, but to accept. On 28 June 1919 German to accept. On 28 June 1919 German representatives reluctantly signed representatives reluctantly signed

the Treaty. But they called it ‘the Treaty. But they called it ‘the the shameful shameful diktatdiktat of of VersaillesVersailles’.’.

OverviewOverview

War GuiltReparations

Germany’s colonies Territorial losses

Why did Germans hate the Treaty of Versailles?

Military restrictions

War guiltWar guilt

Article 231 of the Treaty stated that Article 231 of the Treaty stated that Germany was to blame for causing the Germany was to blame for causing the war.war.

Why did many Germans resent this clause?Why did many Germans resent this clause?

ReparationsReparations

As Germany was held responsible for the war, the As Germany was held responsible for the war, the allies could claim allies could claim reparationsreparations for the damage for the damage causedcaused

In 1921 a special commission fixed a sum of In 1921 a special commission fixed a sum of £6,600 m. to be paid in annual instalments£6,600 m. to be paid in annual instalments

The Treaty also took away 10% of Germany’s The Treaty also took away 10% of Germany’s industry and 15% of its agricultural landindustry and 15% of its agricultural land

Why did Why did many many Germans Germans complain complain about about reparatioreparations?ns?

Germany’s coloniesGermany’s colonies

Germany’s colonies were handed over to Germany’s colonies were handed over to the the League of NationsLeague of Nations, who gave them , who gave them to Britain and France to runto Britain and France to run

Why did many Germans resent the way the League of Nations Why did many Germans resent the way the League of Nations running their colonies?running their colonies?

Military restrictionsMilitary restrictions

Air force was Air force was disbandeddisbanded

Army limited to Army limited to 100,000 soldiers100,000 soldiers

Navy limited to Navy limited to 15,000 sailors, six 15,000 sailors, six battleships and no battleships and no submarinessubmarines

Which country was keen to restrict Germany’s navy? Why?

Military restrictionsMilitary restrictions

Rhineland Rhineland occupied by the occupied by the Allies for 15 yearsAllies for 15 years

No German troops No German troops allowed in this allowed in this areaarea

Why were the Germans Why were the Germans especially unhappy about these especially unhappy about these

terms?terms?

Territorial lossesTerritorial losses

Alace-Lorraine Alace-Lorraine returned to Francereturned to France

West Prussia and West Prussia and Posen (Polish Posen (Polish Corridor) lost to Corridor) lost to PolandPoland

Saarland taken Saarland taken over by the League over by the League of Nations for 15 of Nations for 15 yearsyears

Which of the territorial losses would have Which of the territorial losses would have angered the Germans most?angered the Germans most?

Your taskYour task

Write a short speech to deliver to the new Write a short speech to deliver to the new German Reichstag explaining why you German Reichstag explaining why you

hate the terms of the Treaty of Versailles hate the terms of the Treaty of Versailles so much.so much.