USA HISTORY

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM(1890 1919)

TREATY OF VERSAILLES

[SOURCES]
How did the Germans feel towards the Treaty of Versailles? (Select the two (2) that apply)

(A) Happy

(B) ** Anger

(C) ** Humiliated

(D) Desperate

EXPLANATIONS BELOW

Concept note-1: -The Treaty of Versailles was hated by Germans. Rathenau, the foreign minister, was assassinated in 1922 for signing the treaty. The Armistice had not led to a fair settlement. The Weimar politicians who signed it were called November Criminals because people felt they had betrayed Germany.

Concept note-2: -The terms of the Treaty were very damaging to Germany: territory was taken from Germany-depriving it of valuable industrial and agricultural income. Article 231, the War Guilt Clause blamed Germany and her allies for starting the war – this led to feelings of humiliation and anger.

Concept note-3: -The document stripped Germany of 13 percent of its territory and one tenth of its population. The Rhineland was occupied and demilitarized, and German colonies were taken over by the new League of Nations. The German army was diminished to 100, 000 men and the country was forbidden to draft soldiers.

Concept note-4: -The treaty gave some German territories to neighbouring countries and placed other German territories under international supervision. In addition, Germany was stripped of its overseas colonies, its military capabilities were severely restricted, and it was required to pay war reparations to the Allied countries.