Germany also believed that the Treaty was a ‘’D.I.C.K.T.A.T.’, or a Dictated piece, on which they had to agree to or war would re-commence. Germany was in no position for the war to continue because it had a very bad economy and the German people were starving and it was felt that Britain and France wanted to gain as much as possible from the Treaty. Germany believed that it should have been invited to the conference because it agreed to the seizefire Few of Wilson’s 14 points, which were in the Treaty of Versailles. Germany was also treated as a defended state. All of this caused Germany to lose its pride.
Reparations or War Damages is money that Germany had to pay to the countries that were affected by the war (F.R. G.B. & Belgium) this figure was settled after the Treaty (in 1921) and it was decided that Germany should be forced to pay £6600million – an enormous figure and Germany wasn’t consulted. Germany was angry because the money could have been used to rebuild their own country and was instead used to help the countries affected by war rebuild theirs. If the terms of the treaty had not been later changed, Germany would not have finished paying until 1984. The huge reparation bill was bound to cripple the German Economy – just what Clemenceau wanted) they were particularly angry because Germany was Bancroft at the time
Present Wilson’s 14 Points talked of Disarmament – which meant that all countries should disarm some of their armed forces, but no country disarmed like Germany did. This meant that Germany was unable to defend itself if another conflict should arise. This meant it was Militarily Weak. Conscription (forcing people to sign up) was banned , This meant soldiers had to be volunteers - but Germany could train and then replace people , and the Germany army was limited to 100,00 men – well below hat it had been before the war. Germany was not allowed to have armoured vichals, submarines or aircraft but they could train people in gliding skills and Pilot Training.
The navy could only have 6 Battleships but they could build the best ships. And the Rhineland became a demilitarised zone, where no German troops were allowed.
Germany sunk ships in Protest. The Army was a symbol of Pride.
Germany lost lots of Territory and Colonies because of the Treaty, and as a result lost money. Germany lost 10 % of its land and 12.5 % of its population. Because of the Treaty, Colonies became Mandates to the UK and France. It also lost 16% of coalfields and half of the Iron and steel industry. Germany considered losing land a humilia6ion after it had worked so hard to build it up. It made them yet poorer. Alsace Lorraine was given back to France,
Germany was also split in 2 because of the Polish Corridor, where West Prussia and Upper Silesia had become part of Poland , after been German Territory. Poland was also to become an independent state, which was to be ruled by non Germans. Other , Less Significant territorial changes included Saar (a coalfield) given to France for 15 years and then a vote would take place , Malmedy to Belgium, North Schlesinger to Denmark, Memel to Lithuania and Danzig , German Territory became a Free State along with Lithuania , Latvia , & Estonia.
