Treaty of Versailles 4-markers

In what ways did the Treaty of Versailles weaken Germany’s armed forces?

In what ways did the Treaty of Versailles weaken Germany’s armed forces?

• Army limited to 100,000 men

• Conscription banned; soldiers had to be volunteers

• Not allowed armoured vehicles, submarines or aircraft

• Navy could only have 6 battleships

• Rhineland (border between FR and DE) demilitarised

• Forbidden to join with former ally Austria

What were the terms of the Treaty of Versailles in relation to territorial changes?

• North Schlewsig → DK

• Alsace-Lorraine → FR

• West Prussia and Posen + Upper Silesia → PL

• Danzig + Saarland → League of Nations, plebiscite in 15y

• Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia → Independent states

• Togoland + Cameroon → GB + FR

• German SW Africa → South Africa

• German E Africa → GB

• New Guinea → AUS; Samoa → NZ

With reference to the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, what was meant by (i) war guilt and (ii) reparations?

(i) WAR GUILT: Germany had to solely accept full blame for starting WW1 in clause 231 of the Treaty.

(ii) Reparations means that Germany was responsible for the losses and damage in the Allied countries and had to pay them in compensation for this. In 1922 this amount was set at £6.6 billion.

What did the Treaty of Versailles decide about (i) the Saar and (ii) the Rhineland?

(i) The Saarland was to be run by the League of Nations for 15 years, after which a plebiscite would be held.

(II) The Rhineland was to be kept by Germany but demilitarised so no German troops could enter the area.

In what ways was the Treaty designed to restrict Germany’s ability to attack France?

• It crippled their army - 100,000 men, no conscription, only 6 battleships, no armoured vehicles, submarines or aircraft

• It demilitarised the Rhineland - this was the area of Germany bordering France. France was largely at risk because it was bordering Germany so by demilitarising the Rhineland Germany is prevented from invading France via their shared border.

How did Clemenceau wish to punish Germany after World War One?

• Return Alsace-Lorraine to France (taken 1871 after Franco-Prussian War)

• Independent Rhineland to weaken Germany

• Huge reparations, completely cripple economy

• Not allow any army at all

• Divide Germany into many small states after Franco-Prussian War where a newly united Germany invaded France, this would weaken the country

What did Wilson hope to achieve from the Treaty of Versailles?

14 points included measures for:

• peace + disarmament

• free trade

• independence + self-determination

• certain countries e.g. Siberia access to sea

• League of Nations established

League of Nations:

• like a world parliament

• leaders could talk through issues without resorting to war

What did Lloyd George want from the Treaty of Versailles?

• Wary that if Germany was punished too harshly they might see revenge

• Under domestic pressure, and had campaigned in 1918 general election, to ‘make Germany pay.’

• Wanted to resume trade as soon as possible; before the war, Germany was Britain’s biggest trading partner, and many jobs depended on this trade.

In what ways did the Treaty of Versailles weaken the German economy?

• In 1921, the exact figure for reparations was set at £6,600 million

• If the terms had not been later changed in 1929, the bill would have only been completely paid off in 1984

• The Saarland was given to the League of Nations

• The Saar was economically important due to its large coalfields and steel industry

What were Wilson’s main aims in establishing the League of Nations?

(a) Stop war, keep peace

• Article 10 of Covenant: members promise to defend other members in case of invasion

• promote disarmament

• League could be called to resolve disputes instead of war

• ‘world parliament’

(b) Improve life and jobs of people around the world

• repatriated 400,000 WW1 prisoners of war

• improve public health and sanitation

• end slavery

(c) Enforce Treaty of Versailles