WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Initially, France-who was represented by George Clemenceau-wanted to punish Germany for the war they felt the Germans had caused. France wanted to regain its territory in the Rhineland. Great Britain sought reparations, or payments for damages, from Germany.

Detailed explanation-2: -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.”

Detailed explanation-3: -Germany realized that a war with Russia meant a war with France, and so its war plans called for an immediate attack on France – through Belgium – hoping for a quick victory before the slow-moving Russians could become a factor.

Detailed explanation-4: -To alleged German failure to pay reparations under the Treaty of Versailles in 1923, France responded with the occupation of the Rhineland and the industrial Ruhr area of Germany, the center of German coal and steel production, until 1925.

Detailed explanation-5: -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.