1.2.1 Peace Settlement of Versailles 1919

When was Treaty of Versailles signed

28th June 1919

Diktat

dictated peace

(imposed by those in power without popular consent)

Terms of the Treaty of Versailles

• territorial losses

• war guilt

• disarmament

• Rhineland demilitarised

• Saarland taken over

• Germany not allowed in League of Nations

Territorial losses impact

removed over 70,000 km of territory

alsace-lorraine back to france

All overseas colonies placed under League of Nations

Economic impact

pay £6.6 billion in reparations

all coal production in Saar to France

Military Impact

army reduced to 100,000

no armed vehicles

no military aircraft

Prestige impact (MAIN LOSS)

Signed War Guilt Clause

Article 231

Reasons for German objections

• many Germans living in non-German areas eg Poland

• war guilt clause humiliating - believed they were forced into war

• reparations too high and would destroy economy

• areas under French control banned German patriots (eg songs and festivals)

• disarming and exclusion from Leah of Nat was discrimination