The Treaty Of Versaille
The Treaty of Versailles
What the Germans had to lose and do:
Lose 10% of their land
Lose all of their overseas colonies- Major blow to German pride. Land lost contained important industrial areas: Saar and Upper Silesia. All this time Britain and France were expanding there empire and talking the German colonies.
Lose 12.5% of its population
Lose 16% of airfields
No air force
Lose half of its steel and iron industry
Army reduced to 100,000 men - Very small for an army of Germany's size, army was a sign of pride. None of the allies disarmed to this extent, contrary to Wilson's 14 points.
Pay reparations for starting the war
German Reactions:
Horror and outrage
Did not feel responsible for the war, wanted blame shared
Public thought that government had agreed to a cease fire and that they had not "lost" the war
For that reason they felt Germany should have been at the peace conference
Wanted a choice in the matters
New government refused to sign at first
Navy sank their own ships in protest
Ebert accepted terms on 28th June 1919
Felt they did not have enough money for reparations and that they would cripple them
Insulted not to be let into the league of nations
Did not think the treaty kept to Wilson's 14 points- e.g. some countries were not given self-determination and were ruled by others.
Impact of the Treaty
Elbert's government was fragile- others tried to revolt against him
Germany went into chaos
A workers strike saved the government but crippled the services
Fell behind with payments in 1922- allies took money in raw materials
Government ordered the strike to go on
French killed 100 workers and expelled 100,000 protesters
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