America had a different stance on many things, mainly due to the lack of support of the American public for the war. American people didn’t want to get involved in “petty European squabbles” and wanted to recoup the expense of war. Wilson drew a 14 point plan which the Germans looked upon fondly, due the provisions being less harsh than the ones drawn up by the British and French. It involved many territorial changes, such as Alsace-Lorraine back to France and economic provisions which would overall aid the Americans.
The three countries put their points forward and these were discussed at the French foreign ministry and this was the outcome.
Germany had to accept territorial changes, to their empire. Firstly the Saar coal fields were given to France. I believe this can be said to be fair, in the view that this was a fair compromise over a disputed territory to begin with. Germany didn’t lose the territory all together which shows that the treaty sowed remorse and a willingness to compromise. Frances aims were also met as they wanted to gain reparations from Germany and this would satisfy some of their demands. It was declared that a plebiscite would be held in order to determine which country administered this area after France had occupied. I believe this shows a fair democratic decision to vote for its occupation. Secondly, the Rhineland would become a demilitarised zone. It can be said that this was fair as it provided a buffer between the two nations France and Germany. This allowed future protection of France and was a fair compromise due to the fact that France wanted control over the area, but the USA and Britain counteracted that. Alsace-Lorraine was also handed back to France at this time. I believe this to be a fair provision as this was originally a French colony, and as Germany had lost the war deserved to go back to France as it is lawfully their land. Poland was another key area which was restricted for Germany. The treaty of Versailles prevented the annexation of Germany and Poland. This decision can be said to be fair as Wilson was keen to see a larger Poland, resulting in a reduction of economic power for the Germans and the resources the extra land could have had. Lloyd George did well to prevent this by restricting Wilson’s ideas and this resulted in a smaller area of land being removed from Germany. This is an aspect that shows that this had fair aspects. The decision to remove Danzig from German control may have angered some Germans, but they were still able to gain access to the Baltic see due to it being made a free city. I believe this is extremely fair as it still granted Germany use of the port, which would provide key trading links.
Military restrictions were also imposed on Germany, which involved the reduction of its armed forces. The demilitarisation of the Rhineland was a key military restriction. This ensured the protection of France and calmed the French people. The German naval fleet was limited to 100,000 tonnes. I believe this can be said to be fair as the German navy wasn’t essential in protecting the country, it was a commodity of offence. However, the navy wasn’t completely removed but limited so this shows the willingness to compromise in the provisions and this provided some sort of naval defence when required. This would also ensure Britain’s wishes were upheld and any naval threat was basically eliminated. Production of poison gas was also prohibited. I believe this provision can be defended as fair as such weapons are extremely deadly and in the hands of the wrong people can be used to devastating effects. Restricting the use of this ensured global safety and stopped concerns in Britain over gas attacks, and saving money on gas masks. I believe these points to be the fair provisions considered at Versailles, however these weren’t the only decisions made with regards to Germanys military and I believe these to be unfair.
I am now going discuss the points that could be seen as being unfair towards Germany. Firstly, the main provision I believe to be the most controversial is the war guilt clause, which was part of the legal restrictions, the law states:
Article 231: forced to accept sole responsibility of war and had to promise to make good all the damage done to civilian population of the allies. Also known as the "War Guilt Clause"
This clause has many controversial factors that must be addressed. Firstly, this decision made at Versailles is basically putting the sole responsibility of the war on Germanys back. I see this as being highly unfair, as other countries were involved in the war not just Germany. The responsibility of killings cannot be dumped on Germany solely as many people were killed by allied forces that caused the same or if not more damage to Germany and her colonies. The allies were clearly negligent to think that the Germans would react kindly to the fact that they have take responsibility for war. Many Germans were just normal law abiding citizens trying to get on with their lives, having such a burden thrown on them would have had vast consequences on society. German people were obviously angered by such a tag being branded on their country and were concerned with the position it would put them in for the future. Many German people didn’t believe they had started the war nor they had lost it and were outraged at the provisions put in place. What made people even more angered was the fact that Germany wasn’t represented at the treaty. I see this as being extremely unfair as the German people have a right to have an input in what should happen to their country. A reaction to the treaty being signed:
Today in the Hall of Mirrors the disgraceful Treaty is being signed. Do not forget it! The German people will, with unceasing labour, press forward to reconquer the place among the nations to which it is entitled.”
From Deutsche Zeitung (German News), on the day the Treaty was signed.
This quote from the German news shows the reaction to the treaty being signed and the emotions formed from its implementation. The quote shows how once a very powerful, comically successful country has totally been demolished in an attempt to secure peace in Europe, it surely can’t have been all there fault?
Another provision included in the Treaty which I view as being unfair is the limitation of the army to 100,000 men. This provision made by the big three aimed to provide security from any future threat from Germany. However, I see this as being extremely unfair towards the country as a whole. The army provided a proud nation with protection and a presence of national dignity. I made people within society feel secure and protected from any threat that could arise. Having the army limited to only 100,000 men would have had vast consequences within Germany. People will have felt deflated and morale would have weakened. If a threat arised Germany would be unable to defend herself and be subject to takeover or complete destruction. I believe having this provision is very unfair for the necessity of protection.
My final point I see as being unfair is the reparations Germany were forced to pay. Germany was forced to pay a value of 6,600 million gold marks to the allied nations. These aimed to pay for the costs imposed on the allied nations during the war. I see this as being unfair as Germany should not have to bear the full cost of war just because they have “lost”. Germany had already used money in defending herself and funding the war, just like the allies. I believe the allied nations set out to systematically destroy the German economy as they had to recover from war also taking this money from there economy, in such huge sums would have caused chaos within society, which it did later on. John Maynard Keynes backs this point up “aiming at the destruction of economic life in Germany it threatens the health and prosperity of the allies itself” this shows how Keynes believed destroying such a vast economic powerhouse would have vast consequences not only on Germany, but on the allies also.