(A) ** To permanently weaken Germany so that it could not attack France again
(B) To punish Germany, but not too harshly
(C) To create alliances with the USA
(D) To disregard French public opinion
EXPLANATIONS BELOW
Concept note-1: -Demilitarization of the Rhineland “was a big initiative of France, ” says Qualls. “They were trying to prevent Germany from being an aggressive power again, and also weakening them by allowing for an invasion by France as well.”
Concept note-2: -France’s main objective was to gain as much security as it could from the treaty, the tried to achieve this by weakening Germany as much as possible, draining its financial resources and its arms resources. Georges Clemenceau also thought that dividing Germany into different territories would prevent another war.
Concept note-3: -The Treaty of Versailles resulted in Germany losing: The land lost was some of the most productive. Germany needed the revenue from these areas to rebuild the country and pay the £6.6 billion of reparations. Most Germans saw the restrictions placed on the German army as taking away Germany’s right to defend itself.
Concept note-4: -The Treaty of Versailles was a peace document signed between Imperial Germany and the Allied Powers on 28th June 1919. The treaty ended the state of war that had existed between Germany and the Allies from 1914 and brought World War I to an end.
Concept note-5: -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.