What Were the Terms of the Treaty of Versailles?
Who was to blame for the War?
Terms:
Under article 231 of the treaty, Germany accepted
all the blame for starting the war. This was the ‘war
guilt’ clause.
In the boxes on this page, you will read all about the
main terms of the treaty. The Germans thought it was
unfair, but the two German representatives knew that
if they refused to sign, the allies would start the war
again. Many Germans never forgave the New German
government for signing.
Consequences:
The Germans bitterly resented being blamed for the
War. They felt that they were being blamed
because they had lost, but argued that everyone
else was just as guilty for joining. What about
Austria-Hungary’s role? The leader of the German
representatives said ‘saying that we are guilty is to
admit a lie’.
Who would pay for the War damage?
Terms:
In 1921, the Allies decided that Germany should pay
£6.6 billion in reparations in gold and goods to pay for
the damage caused by the war ‘they’ started.
Consequences:
Germany found it impossible to pay this amount. The
USA had to lend large amounts of money to Germany
to help it pay it.
What about Germany’s overseas empire?
Terms:
All of Germany's colonies abroad were taken off
them and given to the victorious allies, including
land in Africa, China and the Pacific Ocean.
Should land be taken away from Germany?
Terms:
- Germany lost land to France, Belgium, Denmark,
Poland and the League of Nations. See the map for
more information.
- By another treaty, Austria-Hungary was broken up
into smaller countries and forbidden to ever join with
Germany.
Consequences:
- The allies wanted to create a ‘buffer’, a safety zone,
around Germany in case Germany ever started war
again. However, many of these new countries were too
weak when Hitler eventually built up German strength.
- Many German-speaking people were now forced to
be part of other countries in lands that were given
away.
- Germany now set its focus on eventually reclaiming
these lands—something that would eventually lead to
WW2.
A map showing the territorial losses of mainland Germany
What about German military strength?
Terms:
- The German army was cut to 100,000 men max.
- The navy could only have 6 battleships.
- Germany could have 0 tanks, 0 planes 0 subs.
- Germany were not allowed to keep any troops in the Rhineland,
but the allies could keep theirs in the Rhineland for 15 years.
Consequences:
- German soldiers and sailors bitterly hated this and they wanted
a chance to have powerful forces like the other countries. A lot of
veterans were left with a loss of pride.
- German sailors refused to hand over their ships, so in 1919 they
sunk most of their own fleet in Scapa Flow, Scotland.
- While allied troops were in the Rhineland, they kept France safe.
Consequences:
- Germany was no longer able to gain money from
their colonies, which caused economic problems.
- However, Germany was now free to concentrate
its attention completely on Europe.
How would disputes be resolved in future?
Terms:
The League of Nations was established. This would be an organisation which countries
would join and work together to solve the world’s problems and talk through
disputes.
Consequences:
- Germany was not invited to join until they could prove they were ‘responsible’.
- The USA, now the world’s most powerful country, didn’t join, which weakened the
League from the start.
- The League didn’t have its own army which meant reactions were slow and
depended on countries supporting it.
How Did the Map of Europe Change?
Europe in 1914 on the eve of WW1
Europe in 1919 after the Paris Peace Conference