treaty of versailles
impact of the war
the war had an uneven impact on different countries
The US joined the war late, lost very few soldiers, were far away from the battlefield — only losses were from German navy attacking ships
Britain suffered during the war, over a million people had been killed during the war and country was in huge debt
France had the highest death toll, both civilian and military and therefore bore huge brunt of the war, in particular on infrastructure
Germany, despite losing the war, had not suffered as much as the others
Main problem during the war was blockade, but surrendered at sensible moment as strategic position deteriorated
big three at versailles
the treaty of versailles is one of five treaties negotiated and agreed upon after the war to be imposed on defeated countries (Germany)
Despite dozens of delegates being present, focus is mostly on the big three
Lloyd George, British PM
Clemenceau, French PM
Woodrow Wilson, US president
negotiations were largely influenced by these three as representatives of major post-war countries
aims of each of the big three
Clemenceau
he demanded revenge against Germany, like the French public, and terms that guaranteed future security of France
He wanted German army dismantles
massive reparations to punish cripple German economy and used to rebuild France/pay off its debts
Wanted the Rhineland to be independent state - key border state (to create a buffer country to protect them from Germany)
Regain Alsace Lorraine (old french territory), receive the Saar industrial area, share of German colonies and possibly break up Germany altogether
Lloyd George
publicly pledged to squeeze Germans until the pip squeaks in line with public demand for revenge and to ‘Hang the Kaiser!’
In private, much more pragmatic, and sought middle ground by wanting to help German rebuild and recover for trade
agreed with dividing colonies up but not breaking up Germany
Wanted reasonable reparations to pay off war damage, but not cripple Germany and risk a communist revolution
Reduce army but not destroy, and reduce threat of German navy
Woodrow Wilson
He was a naturally idealistic leader, wanting to keep new world order based on his 14 points — however US public are not as interested
they wish to remain isolated from the rest of the world
His main aims were
the creation of a league of nations to maintain world peace
all countries should disarm and dismantle armies, not just Germany
believed in self-determination of all nations of Europe via plebiscite (a vote or referendum)
did not want Britain and France to use German colonies to expand their own empires, instead go under League of Nations control
Germany should pay reparations but not a crippling amount
Terms of the Treaty
Territory
Colonial empire is shared amongst the winners
Alsace-Lorraine is lost from Germany to France
This had 75% of Germany’s iron resources
The Saar is handed over to League for 15 years and France runs the coal mines
West Prussia is given to Poland so that she could gain access to the sea (the Polish Corridor) — splits Germany into two
Reparations
actual sum not fixed at versailles
Germans signed a ‘blank cheque’ (settled at 6.6 billion pounds in 1921)
a blank cheque states that they will pay whatever they are forced to pay at a later date
Army
army is limited to 100,000 men
conscription is banned
tanks and submarines are banned
Many limited to six warships
airforce dismantled
Rhineland permanently demilitarised
war guilt
under article 231, Germany was held wholly to blame for the war
League of Nations
Agreed to form League that would settle international disputes in civilised fashion
Germany forbidden from joining until it proved to be peaceful country
how satisfied were the big three
France was largely happy with the treaty
Satisfied a number of Clemenceau’s specific demands, in particular Alsace-Lorraine and transfer of Germany’s colonies
France was the biggest recipient of German reparations
France was relatively secure on the eastern border with army reductions and Rhineland restrictions
loss of land, resources reduced german economic/military capacity
France still felt vulnerable future after failing to have US/Britain agree to treaty to assist France in face of future German aggression
United states has mixed feelings
League of nations and its principles were accepted
they were pleased that the treaty was not unfairly harsh on Germany
pleased to see the self-determination achieved through creation of independent Poland, Czechoslovakian, and Yugoslavia
however, Britain and France had clearly rewarded themselves with Germany’s former colonie, despite officially being mandatess
were unhappy about exceptions to self-determination like Austria and Sudeten Germans
Only defeated countries made to disarm
Britain was the most satisfied
I’m the whole, got his way of having moderate peace, allowing European economy to recover
successfully managed to temper the demands of Clemenceau, punishments therefore resembled his compromise proposals
British interest served by expansion of colonies, empire reached its peak in 1919
naval restrictions bolstered already strong British position on the sea
Germany felt the treaty was harsh and objected to the treaty
German leaders surrendered believing it would earn them a lighter treaty, however they believed
it was a double punishment to pay reparations and lose vital resources
argued that treaty was a diktat (dictating piece), as they were excluded from negotiations and had no choice but to accept
felt that the war guilt clause was an unfair justification for harshness of the treaty as war was not their fault
political and economic impact of the treaty
the treaty caused political instability and at least two high-profile attempts by right-wing extremists to overthrow government
Kapp putsch in 1920 and Munich Putsch in 1923 as well as numerous assassinations
it also caused violence firstly because it created so much resentment amongst public, especially nationalists and made gov unpopular
in weakening Germany’s armed forces, the Treaty made it more difficult to deal with political violence as well
ruhr crisis
first major crisis caused by treaty came in 1923 after failure by Germans to pay second instalment
french/Belgian soldiers crossed into the ruhr to take the payment in form of raw materials and goods
German gov ordered workers to go on strike so no goods were produced
French army responded by killing over a hundred workers
production in the ruhr shut down as a result
economic crisis
German government paid workers stock strike by printing off money however this created hyperinflation problem
value of money became virtually worthless which was a disaster for many Germans, pensioners, middle class families with savings, etc.
with exception of big industrialists who used the situation to pay off debts, had terrible impact and left bitter memory even after economy recovered
the treaty was fair on Germany
Germany were the most aggressive country during WWI, it was only fair that their army, navy and air force be targeted
Alsace Lorraine went back to France after Germany annexed it in 1871 after the Franco-Prussian wars
In March 1918, Germany forced an extremely harsh treaty on Russia when Russia wanted to leave the war (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk)
They made Russia pay reparations and took their land
Germany had give Austria a “Blank cheque” to start off war as well as commencing the Schlieffen plan, therefore deserved War guilt
it was harsh
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the spark that started the war and this has nothing to do with Germany
Many German citizens felt that they were being punished for the mistakes of the German government in August 1914 as it was the government that had declared war not the people
some of the big three only had their personal interests at heart
Britain only wanted a reduced navy so that Germany could not compete with them
By restricting the army to only 100,000 volunteers, the treaty left Germany defenceless and vulnerable
100,000 men for a country the size of Germany meant keeping order was difficult as well