Treaty of Versailles: Terms, Impact, and Reactions

1. German Reactions to the Treaty of Versailles

Why did Germans react with horror to the terms of the treaty?

• They were forced to accept full responsibility for the beginning of the war (War Guilt Clause).
• They were forced to accept paying reparations without knowing the exact amount of money they were going to have to pay (they felt like they were signing a blank check).
• They were forced to disarm and their pride had been damaged.
• They were not invited to negotiate at the Paris Peace Conference, so they signed a diktat.
• They considered the treaty was unfair because the Allies did not disarm and self-determination was not respected with the German people.
• They felt insulted because they were not invited to the League of Nations.
• Their economy was damaged because of the war, and they had to give up territories rich in industries.

2. How Fair Was the Treaty of Versailles?

• Germany asking for a fair treaty was not coherent with the way they had treated other countries, like Russia. (Explanation)
• In the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, Russia had to give up 1 million square miles of territory, which represented much of its oil, iron industries, and oil stores, and Russians considered it a humiliation. (Evidence)
• Many claimed this treaty was harsher than Versailles. (Explanation)
• So, it was not fair for Germans to demand a less harsh treaty.

3. Impact of the Treaty in Germany

Economic:

Conflict of the Ruhr:

France and Belgium ran out of patience when Germany couldn't pay the debt it had with them, so they invaded a region in Germany called the Ruhr, which was an industrialized area. They took raw materials and goods, and the results for Germany were disastrous. When the government asked workers to go on strike, the French reacted by killing 110 workers and expelling 100,000 protesters.

Hyperinflation:

The government tried solving the problem of not having money by printing more, and this led to prices increasing and the value of money decreasing. Wages began to be paid daily and not weekly, and the savings most middle-class people had were worth less. This problem could be solved by bringing in a new currency.

Political:

Kapp Putsch:

Munich Putsch:

4. The Other Peace Treaties

Treaty of Saint-Germain:

• 1919
• Dealt with Austria (Austria-Hungary empire was officially separated)
• This treaty confirmed the creation of Austria as a new republic, and unification with Germany was forbidden.
• Austria had to accept responsibility for starting the war (War Guilt).
• Territories Austria had to give up: Bohemia and Moravia to Czechoslovakia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Croatia to Yugoslavia, Galicia to Poland.
• No navy, no air force, army restricted to 30,000 men and no conscription (Disarmament).
• The amount of money for reparations was to be determined in the future.

Treaty of Neuilly:

• 1919
• Dealt with Bulgaria
• Bulgaria had to admit they caused damage in other countries by participating in the war (War Guilt).
• Territories Bulgaria had to give up: Western Thrace to Greece, land in western Bulgaria to Yugoslavia, and Dobruja to Romania.
• Bulgaria also lost access to the Aegean Sea.
• Army limited to 20,000 men, no submarines, no air force, no military equipment imported or exported, no conscription (Disarmament).
• £100 million to be paid in the following years (Reparations).

Treaty of Trianon:

• 1920
• Dealt with Hungary
• Austro-Hungarian empire was officially ended.
• Hungary was required to agree it was responsible for starting the war (War Guilt).
• Territories Hungary had to give up: Transylvania to Romania, Slovakia and Ruthenia to Czechoslovakia, Slovenia and Croatia to Yugoslavia.
• Hungary lost its access to the sea, so it became a land-locked nation.
• Hungary lost 92% of its territory, and 2.6 million Hungarians ended up in other states.
• Army limited to 35,000 men, no conscription, no navy, no air force (Disarmament).
• The reparations were to be determined in the future.