The treaty of versailles
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As a direct result of World War One, five million Allied troops had died to achieve victory in World War One. The cost in money was also enormous, and France had suffered the destruction of farmland and entire towns and villages as a consequence of Germany's aggression. Germany had also suffered heavy loss due to war, with over 3.5 million causalities. However, as many people on the Allied side saw it, the central powers, especially Germany, had caused the war and should be made to pay.
After the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on 28 June 1919, between Germany on the one side and France, Italy, Britain and other minor allied powers on the other, officially ended war between those countries. Other treaties ended the hostile relationships of the United States and the other Central Powers. Included in the 440 articles of the Treaty of Versailles were the demands that Germany officially accept responsibility for starting the war and pay economic reparations. US Woodrow Wilson was staunchly opposed to any economic reparation as punishment, believing that the Allies should help develop and foster democratic prinicples in Germany, however the other allied nations, especially Georges Clemenceau's France, wanted to make Germany suffer for the destruction it had caused during World War 1.
Germany's National Assembly regarded many of the terms set out in the treaty as so harsh that at first they refused to sign. Penalties imposed on Germany included restrictions on the size of its military forces as well as reparations payments to the Allies and loss of territory. This was met with contempt by the German public who had merely followed their leaders into war and were now paying for their former leaders' choices. Many Germans resented the fact that their newly formed republican government eventually accepted these terms.
The treaty drastically limited the German military machine: German troops were reduced to 100,000 and the country was prevented from possessing major military armaments such as tanks, warships and submarines. Germany was permitted to maintain a volunteer army of no more than 100,000 soldiers. But it was not allowed to use conscription or to possess an air force or submarines. Its navy was to be reduced in size and it was barred from manufacturing or trading in war materials. Also all German overseas colonies were seized and the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine were returned to France. German territory in the east was given to Poland and the German Rhineland was to be occupied by the Allies for 15 years and much of Germany's natural/economic resources were seized as part of the agreement.
After the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on 28 June 1919, between Germany on the one side and France, Italy, Britain and other minor allied powers on the other, officially ended war between those countries. Other treaties ended the hostile relationships of the United States and the other Central Powers. Included in the 440 articles of the Treaty of Versailles were the demands that Germany officially accept responsibility for starting the war and pay economic reparations. US Woodrow Wilson was staunchly opposed to any economic reparation as punishment, believing that the Allies should help develop and foster democratic prinicples in Germany, however the other allied nations, especially Georges Clemenceau's France, wanted to make Germany suffer for the destruction it had caused during World War 1.
Germany's National Assembly regarded many of the terms set out in the treaty as so harsh that at first they refused to sign. Penalties imposed on Germany included restrictions on the size of its military forces as well as reparations payments to the Allies and loss of territory. This was met with contempt by the German public who had merely followed their leaders into war and were now paying for their former leaders' choices. Many Germans resented the fact that their newly formed republican government eventually accepted these terms.
The treaty drastically limited the German military machine: German troops were reduced to 100,000 and the country was prevented from possessing major military armaments such as tanks, warships and submarines. Germany was permitted to maintain a volunteer army of no more than 100,000 soldiers. But it was not allowed to use conscription or to possess an air force or submarines. Its navy was to be reduced in size and it was barred from manufacturing or trading in war materials. Also all German overseas colonies were seized and the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine were returned to France. German territory in the east was given to Poland and the German Rhineland was to be occupied by the Allies for 15 years and much of Germany's natural/economic resources were seized as part of the agreement.
QUESTIONS
1) Explain what the following terms mean (go back and read the text and also use the net to find out):
a) Central Powers
b) Allies
c) reparations
2) What group sought economic reparations against Germany at Versailles in 1919? Why?
3) Do you think the Treaty of Versailles was successful in achieving peace and co-operation in Europe? Why/Why not?
Make reference to German sentiments of the Treaty
4) Look at [Source 1]. When Wilson states that "we do not wish to injure her", what is he trying to say?
How does this relate to the restrictions and economic reparations?
1) Explain what the following terms mean (go back and read the text and also use the net to find out):
a) Central Powers
b) Allies
c) reparations
2) What group sought economic reparations against Germany at Versailles in 1919? Why?
3) Do you think the Treaty of Versailles was successful in achieving peace and co-operation in Europe? Why/Why not?
Make reference to German sentiments of the Treaty
4) Look at [Source 1]. When Wilson states that "we do not wish to injure her", what is he trying to say?
How does this relate to the restrictions and economic reparations?