World War One

War Guilt Clause

Germany was half responsible for starting the war and was required to pay reparations to the Allies

Demilitarization:

Germany’s military was limited in size, and it was forbidden to have an air force or submarines.

Loss of territory:

Germany lost its overseas colonies and ceded territory to other nations

War crimes trials:

The Kaiser and other high-ranking German officials were tried for war crimes.

Creation of the League of Nations:

The treaty called for the creation of an international organization to prevent future wars.

Trial of Kaiser Wilhelm II:

The Kaiser and other high-ranking German officials were tried for war crimes

Annotating Historical Sources

-          Key figures

-          Setting

-          Key props/clothing

-          Body language/facial expression

-          Proximity (to each other)

-          Text

-          Contextual info reference

What was the purpose of the Paris Peace Conference?

To decide upon and establish the terms of peace after the first world war and set rules and regulations for Germany to ensure they don’t repeat history.          

Economic hardship 

• Millions of soldiers returned home to find unemployment and difficulty transitioning to civilian life

• Many war factories laid off workers

• War-related economic shocks destabilized societies

Social unrest

• Social tensions were high as societies adjusted to the end of war 

• Trade unions and veterans organized pressure movements 

• Social conflict was widespread, including strikes and demonstrations in Italy, France, Egypt, and India 

Social change 

• Women began working outside the home in large numbers

• New constitutions gave women the right to vote

• Standards of behaviour and sexual norms changed

• Crime rates increased

Government intervention 

• Governments introduced social policies to address unemployment, disability, and poverty

• Governments introduced reforms to education, health, and housing

• Governments expanded social insurance schemes for unemployment, old age, and health

Political Conditions:

·       Germany faced political instability, hyperinflation, and unemployment

·       Germany was forced to return annexed territories to France

Treaty of Versailles Terms:

-          Germany had to take the blame for WWI

-          Germany had to pay reparations to the countries involved

-          Germany was not allowed to have armed forces air nor navy

-          Germany had to lose their territory

-          Germany was restricted from having alliances with countries like Austria-Hungary

When was treaty signed

  June 28^th, 1919

who was the french prime minister at the time

George Clemenceau

Who was the US presidant

Woodrow Wilson

prime minister of UK at the time

Lloyd George

German politician

Matthias Erzberger

who was the kaiser of Germany at the time

Kaiser Wilhelm II

WWI ended

November 11^th, 1918

German president under Weimar Republic                         

Hindenburg

Short term impacts

-          Economic Shock in Germany – The sudden demand for massive reparations (132 billion gold marks) caused an immediate financial crisis, with inflation starting to rise.

-          Public Outrage and Protests – In Germany, the treaty was seen as a national humiliation, leading to mass protests and political unrest, including riots in Berlin.

-          Political Turmoil – The German government, led by the Weimar Republic, faced immediate backlash, with some politicians assassinated for signing the treaty (e.g., Matthias Erzberger in 1921).

-          Military Withdrawals and Occupation – Allied forces occupied the Rhineland right away, and German troops had to leave certain territories immediately.

-          Territorial Adjustments and Displacement – Millions of Germans found themselves living in new countries (like Poland and Czechoslovakia), causing immediate tensions and displacement.

-          Demilitarization Began Quickly – Germany had to begin reducing its military right away, dismantling forts and handing over warships.

-          Collapse of the German Monarchy Finalized – The treaty confirmed the exile of Kaiser Wilhelm II and the end of the German Empire, solidifying the Weimar Republic.

Long term impacts:

-          Economic Hardship in Germany – The treaty imposed heavy reparations on Germany, leading to inflation, unemployment, and economic instability.

-          Political Instability – The treaty fuelled resentment in Germany, contributing to uprisings like the Kapp Putsch (1920) and violent clashes between political factions.

-          Territorial Losses – Germany lost territory to France, Poland, and other nations, leading to displacement and economic disruption in affected regions.

-          Weakened Military – The treaty limited Germany’s military, reducing its army to 100,000 men and banning conscription, leaving the nation feeling vulnerable.

-          Rise of Nationalism – Many Germans viewed the treaty as a betrayal (the "stab-in-the-back" myth), fuelling nationalist and extremist movements, including the early Nazi Party.

-          Tensions Among Allies – While France wanted harsher terms, Britain and the U.S. were concerned about Germany's economic collapse, leading to disagreements on enforcement.

Formation of the League of Nations – Though intended to prevent future wars, the League lacked power, especially after the U.S. refused to join

 

Economic, Political, and Social Conditions in Germany in the 1920's:

-          A new democratic government, the Weimer Republic, took power

-          This government was unpopular within the public due to people inferring that the government was agreeing with the terms of the treaty

-          Paul von Hindenburg was elected as the new German president under this government

-          In 1929, the stock market crashed which ultimately resulted in economic hardship that lasted until the 1930s called the Great Depression

Hyperinflation

-          rapid, excessive, and uncontrollable rise in prices, causing a currency to lose its value quickly

Fascism:

-          political ideology that emphasises authoritarianism, nationalism, and even sometimes totalitarianism,

-          belief that one nation or race is superior to the others   

Communists

strict government restrictions and monitoring, workers are the forefront of the country, everyone is equal and receives equal pay

Capitalists

money orientated, hierarchies remain,

Nationalists

-          the nation is at the forefront above the people, military, pride for country

Rightists

-          conservative, want to conserve tradition, don’t want to change the system, capitalist, republican

Leftists

open to change, socialist, liberal, fairness, democratic

Extreme right

-          fascist dictatorship, ‘conflict,’ Germany under Hitler, Italy under Mussolini

Extreme left

-          communist dictatorship, ‘brotherhood,’ USSR under Stalin, China under Mao