The Cause Of World War I

Germany were blamed for the start of the War and they resented this.

• The German Government were forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles which ended the war.
• All of the other governments had agreed to this.
• The soldiers fighting in the war wanted to go home, but were too scared to argue.

 Punishments were made such as:

• Germanies miliatary strenght was destroyed, so they weren't a threat to surrounding countries.
• Their colonies were given to allies.
• Austria and Germany were broken up.
• Germany were made to pay huge amounts of money for war damage.

I think this was a far too harsh punishment purely because the whole war wasnt completely Germanys fault, and other countries should of contributed to these payments.

• 4 years of war at huge expense.
• 27 nations attended conference, including Lloyd George (British), Clemenceau (french) and Wilson (American).
• The French wanted revenge, Wilson only wanted punishment but not revenge, Lloyd George had ideas favouring Germany.
• Ebert- New German President.
• Communist leaders were gathered up and some were killed.
• Germany lost land from the East, North and West.
• They were forbiden to have soldiers in the Rhinelands.
• Their army was cut and land was taken away.
• Summer 1919, German leaders agreed to sign the Treaty.
• Communists tried and failed in destroying the german government.
• Nationlists still believed they won the war, and blamed the government for signing the armistice and treaty.
• In 1921, allies still discussing how much Germany should pay.
• France taxed heavily to repair their country.