The German Response

How did this treaty punish Germany and why did the Germans hate it so much? 1. Germany had to accept total responsibility for starting the war. This was called the ‘War Guilt Clause’, or Article 231. Remember, however, Germany did not start the war. 2. Germany had to pay 32 billion to the Allies to cover the damage it had caused during the war. This was a form of compensation known as reparations. 3. Germany had to hand over 70,000 square kilometres of land to the Allies. The allies shared this land out amongst countries within Europe. For example, Alsace-Lorraine was given to France, West Prussia and Posen were given to Poland, and Eupen and Malmedy were given to Belgium. This was supposed to make Germany weaker, and make other European countries stronger. This would weaken Germany’s ability to produce food, and it gave away much of Germany’s industrial cities. 4. Germany had to hand over all its colonies to the Allies Colonies are areas of land that are governed by a Parent State although they are outside of that state – they are abroad. Germany’s colonial Empire amounted to about one million square miles. One of the largest areas to be taken from Germany was in Africa. France, Britain, and Belgium divided up German land between themselves. 5. The German armed forces were to be reduced greatly. The army was only allowed 100,000 men. The Allies put a limit on how many rifles and machine guns Germany could possess. Germany could not have any tanks or military planes. 6. The German navy had to be reduced greatly. They were only allowed to keep six battle ships. They were only allowed 15,000 sailors, and could not have any submarines. 7. The Rhineland had to be occupied by Allied troops. This area bordered France and was meant to give the French greater security. The occupation was to last for fifteen years and no German troops were to be allowed into the area. The German Response: When the German public got to hear about the treaty they simply could not believe that their government had signed it. The public didn’t understand, or could not believe, that the new government had no say during the negotiations. They felt the government had let them down badly, so many Germans referred to it as “the stab in the back.” The government had ended the war and given in to ally demands without a fight – surely the German Army could have fought on and eventually won the war! It was felt that the treaty dishonoured the soldiers and that the government had betrayed the people of Germany. Many of the German people never forgave their government for signing the treaty and often referred to those political leaders as criminals. President Wilson’s 14 Points 1. There were to be no secret treaties between powers like the treaties that had helped to cause the First World War. (Open Diplomacy) 2. Seas should be free in peace and in war to ships of all nations (Freedom of Navigation) 3. The barriers to trade between countries should be removed (free trade) 4. All countries should reduce their armed forces to the lowest possible levels 5. The countries of Europe should, wherever possible, be given their independence and choice to create whatever government they want. 6. Russia should be allowed to operate whatever government it wanted. 7. Germany should give up Alsace-Lorraine, which it took from France, and any lands taken away during the war. 8. The Italian frontier should be readjusted, Belgium should be evacuated in terms of German troops, and Poland should be given an outlet to the sea, so it may trade 9. The defeated nations should not be made to pay for the war as a whole. 10. The colonies of countries should be adjusted fairly 11. A ‘League of Nations’ should be formed to protect world peace in the future.