The Allies punished Germany in the Treaty of Versailles because of the pressure exerted on Lloyd George, Clemenceau and Wilson by the civilians of the allied countries to deal severely with Germany
A) After World War 1, the people of the victorious countries, particularly France and Britain, felt strongly that Germany should be punished. Germany had to accept the blame for starting the war. This clause was simple, but was seen by the Germans as extremely harsh. This crippled Germany economically, and also angered the German people because they didn't feel that they were to blame for the war. The major powers agreed, without consulting Germany, that Germany had to pay 'reparations' to the Allies for damage caused by the war. It was decided in 1921 that Germany would have to pay £6600 million for this damage. If the terms of payment had not been changed under the 'Young Plan' in 1929, Germany would not have finished paying this bill until 1984. Germany's oversees empire was taken away. It lost 10% of its land, Alsace-Lorraine, to France, and the Polish Corridor was formed meaning even more lost territory for Germany. Germany also lost the Saar, and land to Belgium. This meant that it lost 12.5% of its population, 16% of its coalfields, and almost 50% of its iron and steel industry. According to the treaty, Germany was also forbidden to join together with its former ally Austria. This weakened Germany, both militarily and economically. Germany's army was limited to 100,000 men. Conscription was banned - soldiers had to be volunteers. Germany was not allowed armoured
Explain how the Schlieffen Plan was meant to work?
History Coursework - World War One Depth Study . Explain how the Schlieffen Plan was meant to work? The main objective of the Schlieffen Plan was to stop Germany fighting two wars on two simultaneous fronts. At the time, Germany and her allies were surrounded by enemies. The two countries that encircled had an alliance: if one country went to war against Germany, the other would follow. If this happened, it would be a tactical disaster for Germany and so preventative measures were taken. It would be much better for the troops to fight one front and then travel to the other and fight there; this would be done by defeating France within 6 weeks and then fighting Russia later. The main bulk of German forces would march through the Ardennes and Belgium whilst a smaller task force would march westwards to Verdun, even though it was heavily fortified, and capture Paris in 6 weeks; just like the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. This plan was devised for 2 reasons. The first was that Germany thought that France would not expect a northerly attack and Belgium was neutral and would put up little resistance. Even though the Belgium terrain was difficult to march over, fewer men would be lost this way than having to fight around Verdun. France had the biggest army, the most money and the land in which the Western Front would be fought on. Allied troops also depended on France's involvement
Why did Britain go to war with Germany in 1914
Why did Britain go to war with Germany in 1914? On the 4th of august 1914, Britain delivered an ultimatum to Germany to respect Belgian neutrality, which effectively was a declaration of war, but what events led to the war? In relation to the given article from the modern history review, it is argued that the liberal government went to war to "defend British interests". Historian J.M.Bourne wrote "Failure to defend these interests would result in shattering consequences for national morale and British prestige and for the safety and prosperity of the Empire..." However, what led Britain to feel it needed to defend itself; here are some key events in the lead up to the declaration of war upon Germany. 871 18 January -William I of Prussia becomes emperor of united Germany. 10 may-Peace of Frankfurt ends Franco-Prussian War; France loses eastern provinces of Alsace and Lorraine to Germany. 872 Germany, Austria, and Russia form "League of Three Emperors" against France. 875 Bosnia-Herzegovina rebels against Ottoman Empire. 877 January -Russo-Turkish War begins; Russia supports Balkan Slav Christians in Ottoman Empire (Eastern Question), seeking land, influence, and prestige. 878 March- Russo-Turkish War ends with Treaty of San Stefano. June-July -Congress of Berlin with German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck as " honest broker"; Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro
Trench life.
The idea of trenches first started in the battle of Marne in September 1914. The Schlieffen Plan had just failed and the Germans were forced to retreat back to Germany. The German commander, General Erich von Falkenhayn, was unhappy with this and decided that his troops should keep the parts in Belgium and France that they had gained at all costs. He ordered the Germans to build trenches to provide protection from the advancing French and British troops. The British and French troops found it impossible to break through, and to protect themselves, built trenches to counter attack the Germans. After a few months, these trenches had spread from the North Sea to the Swiss Frontier. The trenches were made up of different sections, the front line trench was usually seven feet deep and six feet wide as it was so deep there was a fire step so the soldier could see over the top of the trench and fire. The trenches were not made in a straight line; as if an enemy shell was fired into a trench then it would explode outwards killing all the men in a straight line. If it was not straight, but zig-zagged, then only the men next to the shell would be killed, or badly wounded. Behind the front line were support and reserves trenches. The three rows of trenches covered between 200 and 500 yards of ground. Between each of the trenches would be communication trenches, which were used to
British Foreign Policy 1895 – 1905.
BRITISH FOREIGN POLICY 1895 - 1905 Splendid isolation refers to a period in British Diplomacy when the British Government preferred a policy of isolation to an alliance or close diplomatic ties with other powers. It was considered to have lasted from 1895 - 1905. Britain strictly avoided any binding treaty obligations under Salisbury. He believed that so long as Britain supported right and justice, she would never find herself entirely alone. TIMELINE OF THE MAIN EVENTS: > 1881 - 1900 - European powers established control over most of the un-claimed parts of Africa. > 1881 - French declared a protectorate over Tunisia. > 1882 - Britain occupied Egypt > 1884 - Britain added Somaliland. The Germans took South West Africa and the Cameroon's. > 1884-5 - Berlin conference laid down rules which powers should follow to avoid friction. > 1885 - Eastern Roumelia had declared itself united with Bulgaria. And Bulgaria had turned hostile towards Russia. At the same time relations between France and Germany were strained. Britain declared protectorate over Bechuanaland. Germany took Tanganyika, while the Italians acquired Eritrea. > 1887 - Salisbury signed the Mediterranean Agreement. With Italy. > 1889 - Bismarck proposed a formal alliance with Britain to have a strong anti-French flavour. Salisbury declined the offer due to Germany wanting to stay on good terms with Russia.
Explain how the mobile warfare of August 1914 had become the Western Front by the end of the year.
Explain how the mobile warfare of August 1914 had become the Western Front by the end of the year. Provide why and how... Talk bout how Schlieffen plan Race to the sea Battle of Marne formation of frontline and 1914 Talk bout stalemate The mobile warfare of August 1914 became the western front by the end of the year due to false expectations and lost control of events leading up to stalemate. When war broke out in august 1914 there was a feeling across the whole of Europe that it would be all over by Christmas. The public never contemplated establishing defensive positions or that they might have to hold them for years. Military leaders were aware of the possible magnitude of future warfare and the reality of the scale of the modern warfare merely reinforced the idea of the need to get in first and achieve the knockout blow. They faith in the idea of the knockout blow and the importance of speed and mobility was held by all military leaders across the globe which lead to the formulation of complex mobilisation plans. If war came, it was necessary to be able to move the armed forced with speed and accuracy, to gain the advantage of surprise. In order to try and win, Germany came up with a plan called the Schlieffen Plan. Germany knew that it could not wage war for an extended period on two fronts. Therefore, it became necessary for them to attempt to destroy one
How far do the sources support the idea that Germanywas warlike and aggressive in its foreign policy in the years 1899-1914?
Part A Objective 2 How far do the sources support the idea that Germany was warlike and aggressive in its foreign policy in the years 1899-1914? Introduction Between 1899-1916 Germany had a change in the Kaiser. In the year 1890 Bismark had been replaced by Nicolas II. During the year of Bismark Germany had not at all warlike and aggressive, various incidents Germany had been involved in peace keeping. When Nicolas however came to power things changed. Germany was no longer a peaceful country any more. During Nicolas period of being Kaiser, Germany became warlike and aggressive. Source one, both supports and contradicts the statement. Simply because the character speaking is the German Chancellor, "Prince Von Bulow" to the German Parliament. The Chancellor is manipulating the parliament in to funding him so that he can build up their naval argument "without a strong army and a strong navy, there can b no welfare for us." This shows that Germany is warlike and aggressive. The source also mentions "there is a great deal of envy of us in the world, political envy and economical envy.' This shows that Germany as a country has done well, and other countries are jealous of the comeback and the way they have managed. The Chancellor is directing this at Britain, France and Russia as being jealous. This obviously shows that Germany is not warlike and aggressive. I think this
The stalemate developed on the Western Front because the Schlieffen Plan failed. The success of the Germans hinged upon them swiftly taking control of France and this did not occur.
a) The Germans had been expecting a war for many years and so already had a plan to help them win when war finally broke out. The Schlieffen Plan was thought up by the war minister, Count Alfred von Schlieffen who said that Germany needed to avoid fighting on two fronts. The Russians were expected to take six weeks to mobilise their army and the plan was to take advantage of this by sending the German army to defeat France first, knocking them out of the war which would leave German troops free to be sent East to help the Austrians defeat Russia. Germany would invade France by passing swiftly through the neutral country of Belgium. Although the Germans knew that Britain had sworn to protect Belgium in the Treaty of London, the British were not expected to uphold the Treaty and go to war over a "scrap of paper" and so the Belgians were expected to put up no resistance as they were not involved in the alliance system. This would allow the German army to move quickly through France and approach Paris from the opposite direction to the one in which the French were expecting them to attack from. Paris could then be taken whilst it was still undefended and once Paris was under German control France would be out of the war. b)The stalemate developed on the Western Front because the Schlieffen Plan failed. The success of the Germans hinged upon them swiftly taking control of France
ATHENS & THE DELIAN LEAGUE
ATHENS & THE DELIAN LEAGUE From the evidence of Thucydides and the inscriptions, To what extent did Athens treatment of her allies change During the period of 478-431 BC During the period of 478-431, Athens' treatment of her allies changed dramatically as she rose to become the leader of an empire. The establishment of the Delian League marked the beginning of a significant series of events, which lead to Athens' rise to extreme power. From the evidence of Thucydides and the inscriptions, it is possible to track the progress of these events and the rapidly changing treatment that Athens enforced upon her allies. The Delian League was an establishment formed in 478 BC. A large number of Greek cities formed an alliance under this league and together aimed to provide a strong defence against Persia, under the leadership of Athens. It also had intentions to push the war between Greece and Persia back into enemy territory. The treasury and headquarters of the league was situated at Delos, an island mid-way between Athens and Asia Minor with a good harbour. It was also the centre of Ionian worship for the god Apollo. Originally, Sparta had been given the role of hegemonia (leadership), but due to the arrogant treatment of the allies by the king Pausanias, this role was handed over to Athens. Thucydides accounts that the allies saw this as a great advantage - 'Because of
How successful was the League of Nations in the 1920s.
How successful was the League of Nations in the 1920s The League of Nations was a failure in they 1920s but it did have some successes. The main reason for its failure was that it could not control the major powers for example Italy in Corfu. The League of Nations was split into two main parts, the assembly and the council. The assembly was like a parliament every member of the League sends a representative to the assembly that met once a year. The main powers of the assembly were admitting new members to the league, appointing temporary members to the council and deciding the budget of the League of Nations. The council met five times a year and also in emergencies. There were two types of members of the council permanent (Britain, France, Italy and Japan) and temporary (3 years). The council would elect temporary members. When voting the permanent members had a Veto of all decisions. The council was able to issue the three steps of action against countries. These steps were first Moral condemnation this was giving a judgement and verbal warning to the countries involved, the second step is Economic sanctions this when the countries in the league would stop trading with the guilty country and the final step was Military sanctions this was sending troops in to the offending countries. The council had a lot more than the assembly. There were some problems with this set-up of
