History: Why did the Germans hate the Treaty of Versailles so much?

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What happened four days after the Spartacist Uprising?
A general election was held
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What happened in the first general election in January 1919?
The Social Democrats were the largest party, and Friedrich Ebert was the first president of the new Weimar Republic.
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Why was the government called the Weimar Republic?
Because they met in the town of Weimar - the capital Berlin was considered too unstable a place for it to meet.
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What four reasons explain why Germany were hoping that the peace treaty wouldn't be a harsh one
The Kaiser had gone - Germany had a new democratic government, The new republic needed support, President Wilson believed in a fair treaty and Germany was not to blame for the war.
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Explain the reason 'Germany was not to blame for the war' to why the Germans hoped the peace treaty wouldn't be too harsh
They felt all countries should bear equal blame, as in their view, Germany had been forced into the war by the way it was treated by other countries, They didn't expect to be punished as if they were the guilty party
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Explain the reason 'President Wilson believed in a fair treaty' to why the Germans hoped the peace treaty wouldn't be too harsh
Wilson of the USA was to be the main force in treaty negotiations, he believed it shouldn't be to harsh on Germany, as when Germany recover they might seek revenge. He declared 14 points he believed should be features of a fair and just treaty
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Explain the reason 'The new republic needed support' to why the Germans hoped the peace treaty wouldn't be too harsh
Social Democrat leaders expected great problems after the chaos of war and revolution. They assumed the allies would help them and give their new government a chance to establish itself. A harsh treaty would make it far more difficult.
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Explain the reason 'The Kaiser had gone - Germany had a new democratic government ' to why the Germans hoped the peace treaty wouldn't be too harsh
One of the allies condition for peace was that the Kaiser be removed and democratic government be brought it. By January 1919 the Germans had already fulfilled that requirement.
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What was the reality when the Treaty was drawn up?
Despite Wilson's hopes the emphasis seemed to be on punishing Germany. The French, in particular, wanted a peace which would weaken Germany so much that they would have no chance of attacking France in the future.
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Did Germany immediately sign the treaty?
No, however, they were told that if they didn't sign it, war would start again.
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When did the Germans sign the treaty?
28 June 1919 - reluctantly
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What did the Germans call the treaty?
'The Shameful Diktat of Versailles'
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What were the four main terms of the treaty of versailles?
War guit, Reparations, Military Restrictions and Territorial losses
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Describe the term of the treaty: War guilt
Article 231 said that Germany was to blame for causing the war. This was the term the Germans most resented. To them war had been one of self-defence.
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Describe the term of the treaty: Reparations (G = Germany)
As G was held responsible,allies could claim reparations for damage caused.In 1921, £6600 million was to be paid in annual instalments.The treaty took 10% of G's industry&15% of its agricultural land,there was doubt to whether G could afford this
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Describe the term of the treaty: Military Restrictions
The French desire for security meant that the German armed forces had to be drastically reduced. For a great power like Germany, these changes would reduce it's armed forces to a humiliating low level.
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What were the military restrictions set by the treaty?
Air force to be disbanded, army limited to 100,000 soldiers, navy limited to 15,000 sailers, only six battleships and no submarines, rhineland occupied by the Allies for 15 years and no German troops allowed in the area.
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Describe the term of the treaty: Territorial Losses
Germany lost 13% of its land, which contained about six million if its people. Germany also lost its overseas colonies. They became 'mandates' run by allies on behalf of the League of Nations
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What territorial land did Germany lose as part of the Treaty?
Alsace-Lorraine was returned to France, West Prussia and Posen (Polish Corridor) was lost to Poland, After Plebiscites (votes) in 1920-21 by the people who lived there
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Which areas of territorial land were lost due to Plebiscites (votes) in 1920-21
Eupen and Malmedy to Belgium, Northern Schleswig to Denmark, Part of upper Silesia to Poland, Memel was taken by Lithuania and The Saarland was taken by the league for fifteen years.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What happened in the first general election in January 1919?

Back

The Social Democrats were the largest party, and Friedrich Ebert was the first president of the new Weimar Republic.

Card 3

Front

Why was the government called the Weimar Republic?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What four reasons explain why Germany were hoping that the peace treaty wouldn't be a harsh one

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Explain the reason 'Germany was not to blame for the war' to why the Germans hoped the peace treaty wouldn't be too harsh

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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