Y10 HASS Source Analysis Test Revision

what if the treaty of versailles was called the treaty of the 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓴𝔂 and instead of punishing germany the big 3 got 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓴𝔂 with germany instead

Who made the Treaty of Versailles?

The Big 3:

France - George Clemenceau

UK - David Lloyd George

USA - Woodrow Wilson

Aims of France (George Clemenceau)

• Weaken Germany as much as possible

• Germany broken into smaller states

• Demilitarising by making a buffer zone in the Rhineland

• Payment of reparations

Aims of UK (David Lloyd George)

• Germany’s overseas colonies in Africa (e.g. modern day Ghana)

• Limit Germany’s naval power

Aims of USA (Woodrow Wilson)

• Not to be involved

• Peace for everyone

• Creation of League of nations

Treaty of Versailles - Categories

Territory, punishment, military, financial

Terms of TOV: Territory

• Lost all overseas colonies

• Part of Eastern Germany given to Poland

• Lost 13% of Germany

• Alsace Lorraine given to France

• Can’t reunify with Austria

Terms of TOV: Punishment

War guilt clause (Germany takes blame for WWI)

Terms of TOV: Military

• Rhineland (region next to French border) demilitarised

• Army couldn’t have more than 100 000 men

• No airforce

• Only 6 battleships in navy

• No submarines

Terms of TOV: Financial

Reparations - 132 billion gold marks to be paid

Outline Germany’s reaction to the treaty

• Germans hated everything, specifically that they couldn’t negotiate. (Dubbed it “diktat”, dictated peace)

• Hated reparations. They defaulted in 1923 and Hitler refused to pay.

• The financial penalties and treaty imposed were thought to be immoral and injust

Quote reflecting Germany’s reaction to the TOV

“We will never stop until we win back what we deserve.” - Deutsche Zeitung, German newspaper

2 impacts TOV had on Germany that caused discontent

1. Economical

   Massive reparations lead to printing more money, devaluing their economy and causing mass unemployment and inflation.

2. The fact that TOV was non-negotiable

   Unfair terms of TOV caused resentment and bitterness of Germans. This was exploited by German politicians in 1920’s and 30’s.

Outline Hitler’s message

Wanted to “make Germany great again”

Beliefs included self-sufficiency, a strong Germany, social and ethnic cleansing, Lebensraum (living space) due to and including social darwinism.

How did Hitler deliver that message?

• Gave radios to everyone for free

• Became a “man of the people” and told them what they wanted to hear

  → Promised a return to greatness, jobs and revenge

• Created an “us vs them” mentality against the enemy and Hitler’s scapegoats, which bonded him and his angry followers together

• Mass rallies

• Propaganda through films, theater, music, the press, radio

Define fascism

A political theory, movement or system that prioritises nation, and often involves an autocratic government led by a dictator with harsh repression of opposition.

10 features of fascism

1. Powerful nationalism

2. No respect for human rights

3. Scapegoating minorities to provide a target to unify the majority (using pre-existing prejudice)

4. Supremacy of the military

5. Rampant sexism

6. Controlled mass media

7. Obsession with national security

8. Religion and government intertwined

9. Violence in politics become common

10. Leader cult

Example of powerful nationalism

Patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs.

Flags and flag symbols everywhere from public displays to clothing

Example of no respect for human rights

Forced labour and slavery (concentration camps)

Prosecution and genocide of Jews in the Holocaust

Scapegoating minorities

Targeted minorities: Jews, Gypsies/Roma, LGBTQ+, Disabled

Example of supremacy of the military

Military is given disproportionate amount of funding

Example of rampant sexism

A rise in traditional gender roles and anti-abortion.

Women took a submissive role in caretaking.

Example of controlled mass media

Propaganda through films, radio, music, theatre, press.

Only Nazi newspapers allowed - high censorship

Example of obsession with national security

Fear and emotion used as a tool by the government over the masses.

Example of religion and government intertwining

Hitler used Christianity and God (the most popular religion at the time) to control the crowd and their feelings and actions.

Example of violence in politics becoming common

Hitler thought violence could cleanse Germany.

Encouraged thugs to hurt and occasionally kill people with differing politics

Leader cult

Nazi propagandists portrayed Hitler as “Der Führer” (leader) as the living embodiment of the German nation.

Mass production of his posters for both public and private venues.