germany and the end of world war i

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Germany and the End of World War I

Nazi Germany

For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation.

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What we will learn today

In this presentation you will learn:

1. Why the German government decided to surrender to the Allies at the end of World War I.

2. What the main issues were for the peacemakers.

3. Why the peace treaty which they produced was considered too harsh by many German people.

4. Why the German government nevertheless accepted it, and with what results.


Learn some key vocabulary


Events in 1918

In late 1918, the Allies were prepared to discuss an end to hostilities, but only on the understanding that Kaiser Wilhelm made his country more democratic.

When the Kaiser refused, his people rose up in revolution.

The Kaiser was forced to abdicate and a German republic was established.

In November 1918, the new rulers signed the Armistice which brought hostilities to an end.

The following year, they signed the Treaty of Versailles, which laid out detailed peace terms.

For detailed events in 1918, see the next slide.


Events in 1918 – timeline


Should Germany sign the Armistice?


What were the results of the Armistice?

Friedrich Ebert, the leader of the Social Democrats (SPD) became the first elected president of the Weimar Republic. The government was called this because it established itself in the small town of Weimar, rather than the unstable Berlin.

Signing the Armistice in November 1918 gave the new republic some breathing space. The country’s first free elections were held in January 1919.


How did Germany react to Treaty of Versailles?

The Germans were expecting to be treated fairly under the Treaty of Versailles. They had got rid of the Kaiser and elected a democratic government as the Allies had asked.

However, the Allies did not allow the Germans to take part in negotiations. The Treaty was very harsh on Germany.

The German navy scuttled (sank) itself in protest, but it made no difference.

The German government signed the Treaty just 90 minutes before the deadline the Allies had set them.


The signing of the Treaty of Versailles


What issues were dealt with by the Treaty?

When the leaders of the Allied countries met to discuss how to treat Germany, they were faced with five key questions.

You can remember these using the keyword TRAWL:

Territory: What land should be taken from Germany?

Reparations: How much compensation money should Germany be forced to pay?

Armaments: How far should Germany's armed forces be limited?

War guilt: Should Germany be held responsible for the war breaking out?

League of Nations: Should Germany be allowed to join this new peacekeeping institution?


Territory – further information


Reparations – further information

The Allies were keen that Germany should pay for the cost of the war.

France had lost 1½ million men and 750,000 homes in the war. Britain had also been drained, having lost a million men.

Both France and Britain were left heavily in debt to the USA as a result of the war.

Germany argued that massive reparations would leave the country destitute. This would make Germany vulnerable to revolution or civil war, which could lead to more international instability.


Armaments – further information

The Allies felt that Germany’s massive armed forces had created a country that was desperate for war.

They were very keen to limit the size of the German army.

The Germans argued that this would leave their country defenceless against attack, and that this could make another war more, not less, likely.


War Guilt – further information

To justify their demands for territory, reparations and arms restrictions, the Allies felt it would be necessary to blame Germany entirely for the war.

The causes of World War I were very complicated. The Germans felt that it was unreasonable that they should take full blame for the war, and warned that it would only create a desire for revenge later on.


League of Nations – further information

The US president Woodrow Wilson was very keen to set up an international parliament to prevent more wars breaking out in the future.

Wilson proposed a League of Nations to settle international disputes and prevent war.

The Allies disagreed about whether Germany should be allowed to join this body or not.


Territory – the terms on paper


Territory – the terms on the ground

Germany split by the Polish Corridor

Alsace-Lorraine returned to France

Germany was also forbidden to unite

with Austria or Hungary

How did each of these terms affect Germany?

Which was the most serious, and why?

Saar coalfields now under French rule for 15 years

African colonies taken away.


Other terms


Summary

The terms of the Treaty of Versailles can be summarized as:

Territory: Land lost to Britain, France, Belgium, Poland and Denmark.

Reparations: Germany forced to sign a ‘blank cheque’, later settled at £6,600 million.

Armaments: Army reduced to 100,000 men. No air force, 6 warships, no conscription. Rhineland demilitarized – German troops were not allowed there.

War guilt: Germany held entirely responsible for the war breaking out.

League of Nations: Germany not allowed to join.


What was the impact on Germany?

Look at the areas dealt with in the Treaty of Versailles. Which do you think was the most serious for Germany?


Conclusion: reaction of the German people

The Treaty of Versailles was hated by Germans. Rathenau, the foreign minister, was assassinated in 1922 for signing the treaty.

The Armistice had not led to a fair settlement. The Weimar politicians who signed it were called November Criminals because people felt they had betrayed Germany.

Which was more damaging for the new German Republic – losing the war or signing

the Treaty of Versailles? Explain your answer carefully.


Revision of some key vocabulary


Discussion point

What was the main aim of the Treaty of Versailles?

(a) punish Germany

(b) reward the winners of the war

(c) provide a lasting peace?

Support your answer by referring to the terms of the Treaty.

Was it to:

germany and the end of world war i

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