(B) Why were the views of the two men at the front of the cartoon so totally opposed on the nature of the peace treaty with Germany?
The two men, Clemenceau and Wilson, had totally opposite views on the treaty of Versailles. Clemenceau was the French Prime Minister. France had suffered the most in World War One and Clemenceau wanted revenge for all the destruction Germany had caused to his country. He wanted to cripple Germany so badly so that she will never start another war. Wilsons’ kindness to Germany was probably because of America’s lack of involvement in the war.
(C) How did the terms of the treaty affect Germany’s:
(i) European territory?
Germany lost nearly half of its European territory. It can be argued that Germany losing its territories in Europe lost its power, the people and productive land. The German colonies were also colonized through the League of Nations. Many Germans argued why reunion between Austria and Germany is not allowed. The lost of defensive land to other countries also created problems for the Germans living there. When the territories were merged with the new ruling country, the Germans became the minority. Therefore they were ignored most of the time.
The League of Nations controlled the German trading port for 15 years but was later given to Poland. The areas of West Prussia and Posen were also given to Poland. Czechoslovakia was given complete control over the Sudetenland. Alsace-Lorraine was given back to the French. The Saar was put under international control for 15 years and then given back to the Germany. Belgium was given the German area of Eupen-Malmédy to help pay for the damage done to Belgium. The League of Nations let the Germans keep the Rhineland but the area had to be demilitarized. Schleswig was spit – half for Germany and half for Denmark.
(ii) Armed forces?
The League of Nations were extremely harsh on Germany by limiting the armed forces to such an extent that many thought that the 100’000 soldiers would not be enough to keep law and order in the country. A country the size of Germany needed a bigger army and navy than they what was decided.
The League of Nations said that only 100’000 non conscription soldiers were allowed in the German army.
German naval forces were limited to 15’000 men, 6 battleships, 6 cruisers, 6 destroyers, and 12 torpedo boats. No submarines were allowed.
Manufacturing, importing and exporting of weapons and poison gas was not allowed.
Most of the modern weaponry made during the war (tanks, military aircrafts and artillery) were not allowed.
Blockades on ports were not allowed.
(iii) Economy?
It was agreed in the Treaty of Versailles that Germany was to pay a massive sum of £6’600’000’000 as compensation. The German government tried to solve this problem by printing of millions of bank notes. This did not help. The German economy was near collapse causing hyperinflation. Workers were being paying millions of German Reichsmark every day and had to carry there days wage in wheelbarrows but the hyperinflation meant that all that money was worthless. The hyperinflation had one benefit to Germany – decreasing the benefits to France and the United Kingdom.
(D) The strange foresight of the cartoonist is seen in the weeping child. Explain why the Treaty of Versailles would be a cause of European trouble by 1940.
The Treaty of Versailles did not create relationships with the major countries (Germany, UK, France and USA). Instead it did the opposite Germany wanted revenge from England, USA and France for putting them in such a low and feeble position.
Germany was angry how they were stripped of their famous navy and army. Many thousands of German citizens died form hunger from the British blockade and many went bankrupt in the hyperinflation and they wanted revenge. Their chance came in 1940 when Adolf Hitler promised to rebuild the great forces of Germany.
Hitler promised that he would stop the hyperinflation. He said he will abolish the Treaty of Versailles, let Germans back into the country and protect his people from communism and other bad influences. The Germans thought that they will become the old Germany again before World War 1 and went on his side.
