The treaty of Versailles was more of a surrender document than a treaty. It was a series of punishments. It only lead to the 2nd world war 20 years later.
NO Many biased factors Firstly, the leaders were under pressure to deal harshly with Germany 1. Responsible for war - population in Fr and Br felt G was responsible + should be punished 2. Ruined economies and industries – G should pay, exhausted (except USA) 3. Br + Fr over 9 million killed or injured 4. Food and medicine shortage – ordinary civilians 5. Devastated villages and towns – Fr + Belgium 6. Publication of Brest-Litovsk 1918 – G harsh Russia, huge land, 25% of population, proof, evil ambitions, G regime, G would’ve made harsh treaty with Br + Fr as well therefore JUSTIFIED Mostly Clemenceau + Lloyd George under pressure (Lloyed promised to “make G pay” in campaign, even if he knew its DANGER) Public opinion was very important and in 1918 election campaigns, harsh peace settlement with G = support from population for Lloyd George Terms of the TOV 1. War guilt – Article 231, seen by G to be harsh, accept blame for starting war 2. Reparations – pay for damage to allies, £6,600 decided in 1921, changed under the Young Plan 1929, wouldn’t have finished paying till 1984, decided WITHOUT CONSULTATION WITH G 3. Territories and colonies – Mandates controlled by LON (meant being controlled by Fr and Br), was a source of bad relations between Br and G before war, Germany forbidden to join with AUSTRIA (former ally) 4. Loose 10% of land 5. 12.5% of its population 6. 16% of its coalfields 7. Nearly half of iron and steel industry 8. LON – international police force for world peace, G not invited to join until it can prove it was a peace-loving country 9. G’s armed forces – size + power 1. Army limited to 100 000 men 2. Conscription banned 3. No armoured vehicles, submarines or aircraft (NO AIRFORCE) 4. Navy limited to 6 battleships 5. Demilitarization of the Rhineland – important, border between G and Fr G’s overseas empire 1. Togoland and Cameroon to Br and Fr 2. German south west Africa to south Africa 3. German East Africa to Br 4. New Guinea to Australia 5. Samoa to NZ 6. The Marshall, Mariana and Caroline Islands to Japan Impact of the TOV on the borders of Europe – land taken away from G 1. North Schleswig to Denmark (plebiscite) 2. West Prussia to Poland (Polish corridor) 3. Upper Silesia to Poland 4. Alsace Lorraine to France Danzig run by LON to give Poland sea port Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia became independent states (G took from Russia in 1918) Treaty announced to Germans on 7 May German reaction 1. Horror 2. Outrage – ARMY WAS SYMBOL OF G’S PRIDE 3. Did not start the war – blame and reparations should be shared, G not completely responsible 4. Did not feel like they had lost - 1919 most G didn’t understand, simply agreed to ceasefire, should’ve been there to negotiate peace 5. Angry - treated as a defeated state, weren’t represented, forced to accept harsh treaty, no other country had to disarm to the extent that G was forced to 6. Insulted – couldn’t join LON
The Treaty of Versailles involved the Big Three, the leaders of France (Clemenceau), Great Britain (Lloyd George) and America (Wilson). The Treaty of Versailles set many sanctions on Germany such as: not allowing them to remilitarise the Rhineland, not allowing them to have an army and taking over the Ruhr. However, all three leaders did not agree with another about what should occur to Germany. France wanted revenge, while Britain wanted a trading partner. The USA didn’t need compensation as they hadn’t lost as much. The Treaty of Versailles was unfair as Germany was not consolidated about any of the aims of the Treaty thus, not resulting in a ‘just peace’. It furthermore, did not prevent another war from occurring and thus, did not result in lasting peace which, many of the leaders hoped to achieve through this treaty.
Rita -very strong on why it was not just. Can you develop more the idea that maybe it was justified. You hint at this with the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Is there an argument that actually it was too soft rather than too hard?
The main target for punishment for World War I was Germany, thus the Treaty of Versailles reflected this. Germany was punished so harshly in this treaty primarily because of its army's massive destruction campaign on France. The German army had stripped French factories of resources, and then transferred them back to Germany. It made off with hundreds of thousands of French cattle and livestock, flooded and detonated coal mines and looted villages. At the end of World War I, Germany destroyed France’s railways, bridges, and raided private homes.
The Treaty of Versailles was a weighty volume consisting of over 440 articles and numerous annexes. The most notable clauses from the 200-plus page document included:
1. The curtailing of German military activities. The German army was reduced to 100,000 men and its air force was completely disbanded. Its stockpile of munitions was severely reduced and the use of heavy artillery, gas and tanks was outlawed. The German navy was forbidden to ship more than 10,000 tons, and the construction and use of submarines was also prohibited. 2. The reduction of Germany's territory by as much as 15%. Germany was ordered to surrender all of its overseas colonies and to return the area of Alsace-Lorraine, that it had won in the Franco-Prussian War of 1871, to France. It also had to surrender the territories of Eupen and Malmedy to Belgium, hand the Sudetenland over to Czechoslovakia, give part of East Prussia to Lithuania, and most of West Prussia to Poland. It also lost all rights over the cities of Memel and Danzig. In addition to the loss of territory, Germany lost some seven million citizens in the deal. 3. The payment of retributions. Germany was ordered to accept responsibility for the damages it, and its allies, caused in the war. It had to pay reparations to the tune of $6.6 billion. This was an astounding sum for that time. (Reparations payments were eventually suspended in 1931.) 4. The recognition of new nation-states. Germany was to recognize the independence of Austria, Poland, and all territories that belonged to the Russian Empire on August 1, 1914. 5. The temporary loss of its coal mines. Germany was ordered to hand over all of its coal mines in the Saar basin to France. This was to make up for the damage it caused to France's coal mines for a period of 15 years. At that point a referendum would be held among the residents of the Saar to determine if they wished to be a part of Germany or France. 6. The occupation of the Rhineland. Allied forces would occupy the Rhineland area for at least 15 years, and the right bank of the Rhine River was to be permanently demilitarized. 7. In addition to the monetary reparations, Germany was also ordered to restore all property to French institutions and individuals. France also had the right to liquidate all property possessed by Germany.
Reymaz, how did it lead to WWII? In an exam you will need to make these links by giving specific examples of things that you think led to war. What were the most important aspects then of the treaty?
Lucy, a nice response. Do you think that there were any aspects of the Treaty that could be considered to have been just? Remember that France for example had wanted an even harsher treaty but didn't get it. What are the specific things that you think were unfair twoards Germany? Reparations? Loss of colonies? Disarmament? Remember you will always need to give examples.
Reymaz, your comment of 16th March has lots of info but youve just pasted it in. I want your views not the information that you've found somewhere. Look at your points and decide which were the three most important problems for Germany and explain why.
No. It was unjust but particularly clause 231 ('War Guilt Clause') as WWI was not entirely Germany's fault. It can also be blamed on the allies who chose to support Germany's aim in becomming the most powerful nation in the world. Moreover, Germany had to pay an extremely high reparation payment which also accelerated the economic depression which was affecting Germany. The TOV was the fuel to the initiation of WWII as the German public wishes to gain revenge on France, Britain and USA who had imposed such a hard treaty on them.
Instead, to ensure that the TOV is a 'just peace' it should spread out the blame on more nations. In truth, it should not place the blame on any particularly nation at all since this will create future disputes. Even though Germany was the most responsible, they should not be made to pay the most reparations as their economy is also weakened by a great deal. The Big Three should have supported their recovery in order to gain Germany as an ally.
The treaty was not 'just' treaty as Germany not only wasn't included in the discussions of the Treaty but furthermore, also because neither country in the treaty really got what they wanted. For example France wanted Germany to be given even harsher restriction as they felt that they were most effected by the war. America who had not been involved in the war until very late and thus, was not greatly affected by the war, wanted Germany to remain a strong enough trading partner for the USA. On the other hand, Great Britain who had also been affected by the war but still wanted Germany to remain strong enough to be a trading partner like the USA. However, Lloyd-George wanted different punishments to what his country wanted. The treaty can be seen has being unfair as neither leader agreed on the treaty, but furthermore, the people of the various countries may not have not been satisfied.
The treaty of Versailles was more of a surrender document than a treaty. It was a series of punishments. It only lead to the 2nd world war 20 years later.
ReplyDeleteNO
ReplyDeleteMany biased factors
Firstly, the leaders were under pressure to deal harshly with Germany
1. Responsible for war - population in Fr and Br felt G was responsible + should be punished
2. Ruined economies and industries – G should pay, exhausted (except USA)
3. Br + Fr over 9 million killed or injured
4. Food and medicine shortage – ordinary civilians
5. Devastated villages and towns – Fr + Belgium
6. Publication of Brest-Litovsk 1918 – G harsh Russia, huge land, 25% of population, proof, evil ambitions, G regime, G would’ve made harsh treaty with Br + Fr as well therefore JUSTIFIED
Mostly Clemenceau + Lloyd George under pressure (Lloyed promised to “make G pay” in campaign, even if he knew its DANGER)
Public opinion was very important and in 1918 election campaigns, harsh peace settlement with G = support from population for Lloyd George
Terms of the TOV
1. War guilt – Article 231, seen by G to be harsh, accept blame for starting war
2. Reparations – pay for damage to allies, £6,600 decided in 1921, changed under the Young Plan 1929, wouldn’t have finished paying till 1984, decided WITHOUT CONSULTATION WITH G
3. Territories and colonies – Mandates controlled by LON (meant being controlled by Fr and Br), was a source of bad relations between Br and G before war, Germany forbidden to join with AUSTRIA (former ally)
4. Loose 10% of land
5. 12.5% of its population
6. 16% of its coalfields
7. Nearly half of iron and steel industry
8. LON – international police force for world peace, G not invited to join until it can prove it was a peace-loving country
9. G’s armed forces – size + power
1. Army limited to 100 000 men
2. Conscription banned
3. No armoured vehicles, submarines or aircraft (NO AIRFORCE)
4. Navy limited to 6 battleships
5. Demilitarization of the Rhineland – important, border between G and Fr
G’s overseas empire
1. Togoland and Cameroon to Br and Fr
2. German south west Africa to south Africa
3. German East Africa to Br
4. New Guinea to Australia
5. Samoa to NZ
6. The Marshall, Mariana and Caroline Islands to Japan
Impact of the TOV on the borders of Europe – land taken away from G
1. North Schleswig to Denmark (plebiscite)
2. West Prussia to Poland (Polish corridor)
3. Upper Silesia to Poland
4. Alsace Lorraine to France
Danzig run by LON to give Poland sea port
Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia became independent states (G took from Russia in 1918)
Treaty announced to Germans on 7 May
German reaction
1. Horror
2. Outrage – ARMY WAS SYMBOL OF G’S PRIDE
3. Did not start the war – blame and reparations should be shared, G not completely responsible
4. Did not feel like they had lost - 1919 most G didn’t understand, simply agreed to ceasefire, should’ve been there to negotiate peace
5. Angry - treated as a defeated state, weren’t represented, forced to accept harsh treaty, no other country had to disarm to the extent that G was forced to
6. Insulted – couldn’t join LON
More of a submission of a manuscript than a treaty the treaty of Versailles was. Series of punishments to Germany, which led to the 2nd world war.
ReplyDeleteThe Treaty of Versailles involved the Big Three, the leaders of France (Clemenceau), Great Britain (Lloyd George) and America (Wilson). The Treaty of Versailles set many sanctions on Germany such as: not allowing them to remilitarise the Rhineland, not allowing them to have an army and taking over the Ruhr. However, all three leaders did not agree with another about what should occur to Germany. France wanted revenge, while Britain wanted a trading partner. The USA didn’t need compensation as they hadn’t lost as much. The Treaty of Versailles was unfair as Germany was not consolidated about any of the aims of the Treaty thus, not resulting in a ‘just peace’. It furthermore, did not prevent another war from occurring and thus, did not result in lasting peace which, many of the leaders hoped to achieve through this treaty.
ReplyDeleteTHanks Knut, now can you list what you think the three most important of these punishments were?
ReplyDeleteRita -very strong on why it was not just. Can you develop more the idea that maybe it was justified. You hint at this with the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Is there an argument that actually it was too soft rather than too hard?
ReplyDeleteThe main target for punishment for World War I was Germany, thus the Treaty of Versailles reflected this. Germany was punished so harshly in this treaty primarily because of its army's massive destruction campaign on France. The German army had stripped French factories of resources, and then transferred them back to Germany. It made off with hundreds of thousands of French cattle and livestock, flooded and detonated coal mines and looted villages. At the end of World War I, Germany destroyed France’s railways, bridges, and raided private homes.
ReplyDeleteThe Treaty of Versailles was a weighty volume consisting of over 440 articles and numerous annexes. The most notable clauses from the 200-plus page document included:
1. The curtailing of German military activities. The German army was reduced to 100,000 men and its air force was completely disbanded. Its stockpile of munitions was severely reduced and the use of heavy artillery, gas and tanks was outlawed. The German navy was forbidden to ship more than 10,000 tons, and the construction and use of submarines was also prohibited.
2. The reduction of Germany's territory by as much as 15%. Germany was ordered to surrender all of its overseas colonies and to return the area of Alsace-Lorraine, that it had won in the Franco-Prussian War of 1871, to France. It also had to surrender the territories of Eupen and Malmedy to Belgium, hand the Sudetenland over to Czechoslovakia, give part of East Prussia to Lithuania, and most of West Prussia to Poland. It also lost all rights over the cities of Memel and Danzig. In addition to the loss of territory, Germany lost some seven million citizens in the deal.
3. The payment of retributions. Germany was ordered to accept responsibility for the damages it, and its allies, caused in the war. It had to pay reparations to the tune of $6.6 billion. This was an astounding sum for that time. (Reparations payments were eventually suspended in 1931.)
4. The recognition of new nation-states. Germany was to recognize the independence of Austria, Poland, and all territories that belonged to the Russian Empire on August 1, 1914.
5. The temporary loss of its coal mines. Germany was ordered to hand over all of its coal mines in the Saar basin to France. This was to make up for the damage it caused to France's coal mines for a period of 15 years. At that point a referendum would be held among the residents of the Saar to determine if they wished to be a part of Germany or France.
6. The occupation of the Rhineland. Allied forces would occupy the Rhineland area for at least 15 years, and the right bank of the Rhine River was to be permanently demilitarized.
7. In addition to the monetary reparations, Germany was also ordered to restore all property to French institutions and individuals. France also had the right to liquidate all property possessed by Germany.
Reymaz, how did it lead to WWII? In an exam you will need to make these links by giving specific examples of things that you think led to war. What were the most important aspects then of the treaty?
ReplyDeleteLucy, a nice response. Do you think that there were any aspects of the Treaty that could be considered to have been just? Remember that France for example had wanted an even harsher treaty but didn't get it.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the specific things that you think were unfair twoards Germany? Reparations? Loss of colonies? Disarmament? Remember you will always need to give examples.
Reymaz, your comment of 16th March has lots of info but youve just pasted it in. I want your views not the information that you've found somewhere. Look at your points and decide which were the three most important problems for Germany and explain why.
ReplyDeleteNo. It was unjust but particularly clause 231 ('War Guilt Clause') as WWI was not entirely Germany's fault. It can also be blamed on the allies who chose to support Germany's aim in becomming the most powerful nation in the world. Moreover, Germany had to pay an extremely high reparation payment which also accelerated the economic depression which was affecting Germany. The TOV was the fuel to the initiation of WWII as the German public wishes to gain revenge on France, Britain and USA who had imposed such a hard treaty on them.
ReplyDeleteInstead, to ensure that the TOV is a 'just peace' it should spread out the blame on more nations. In truth, it should not place the blame on any particularly nation at all since this will create future disputes. Even though Germany was the most responsible, they should not be made to pay the most reparations as their economy is also weakened by a great deal. The Big Three should have supported their recovery in order to gain Germany as an ally.
Response to Mr. Smith-
ReplyDeleteThe treaty was not 'just' treaty as Germany not only wasn't included in the discussions of the Treaty but furthermore, also because neither country in the treaty really got what they wanted. For example France wanted Germany to be given even harsher restriction as they felt that they were most effected by the war. America who had not been involved in the war until very late and thus, was not greatly affected by the war, wanted Germany to remain a strong enough trading partner for the USA. On the other hand, Great Britain who had also been affected by the war but still wanted Germany to remain strong enough to be a trading partner like the USA. However, Lloyd-George wanted different punishments to what his country wanted. The treaty can be seen has being unfair as neither leader agreed on the treaty, but furthermore, the people of the various countries may not have not been satisfied.