USA HISTORY

Which words BEST describe most German’s attitude toward the Treaty of Versailles?

(A) Confusion, Uncertainty

(B) Grateful, relief

(C) ** Anger, resentment

Concept note-1: -No one in Germany was happy with the settlement, and the Allies threatened Germans with military invasion to get them to sign the treaty. After four years of war and sacrifice, German citizens felt humiliated to accept blame for the war and territorial loss.

Concept note-2: -One of the most controversial terms of the treaty was the War Guilt clause, which explicitly and directly blamed Germany for the outbreak of hostilities. The treaty forced Germany to disarm, to make territorial concessions, and to pay reparations to the Allied powers in the staggering amount of $5 billion.

Concept note-3: -The German criticisms of the Treaty of Versailles are to a large extent justified, and to a small extent unjustified. The War Guilt Clause is one of the major arguments by the Germans that can be justified.

Concept note-4: -The Treaty of Versailles is one of the most controversial armistice treaties in history. The treaty’s so-called “war guilt” clause forced Germany and other Central Powers to take all the blame for World War I. This meant a loss of territories, reduction in military forces, and reparation payments to Allied powers.