Treaty of Versailles Landmark
- Clemenceau saw the Treaty of Versailles as an opportunity to cripple Germany, so that it could no attack France again. Describe how the Treaty of Versailles weakened Germany.
Georges Clemenceau sought revenge so wanted to give Germany the harshest punishment possible. Germany was affected really badly because of Clemenceau’s desire for revenge: Germany had to concede territories to Belgium, Czechoslovakia and Poland. They had to return Alsace-Lorraine to France. All of Germany’s overseas colonies became Mandates of the League of Nations. Also, the city of Danzig became a free city. Rhineland was to be demilitarised and occupied by the French and the Saarland was given to France for 15 years but technically under League of Nations. Also, a Plebiscite was to be held after 15 years to decide whether it stays German or becomes French. France were still worried Germany may fight back so they had Germany limit their army to 100,000 men, the Navy had to restrict their vessels to 10,000 tonnes, submarines were not allowed at all and their air force was restricted. This made Germany very angry because the army was a symbol of pride. Also before the war the army was ten times a bigger. Germany had to pay reparations to all the damage done and this totalled to £6.6 billion. The most humiliating point in the Treaty was probably Article 231 (known as the ‘War Guilt Clause’); Germany had to accept full responsibility for starting World War 1.