HSC Core Study: Power and Authority in the Modern World

The Treaty of Versailles

Source 1

The Terms of the Treaty

Territory was taken away from Germany

Alsace-Lorraine was given to France
Northern Schleswig was given to Denmark
West Prussia, Posen and Upper Silesia was given to Poland
Danzig was a city given to the League of Nations to run along with Germany’s overseas colonies
The Saarland was a rich coal mining area given to France to mine for 15 years
The Rhineland was a demilitarised zone (no German troops allowed)

Germany had to return to Russia land taken in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Some of this land was made into new states - Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.

Germany’s army, which had just reached 1.9 million troops, was reduced to 100,000 men, not allowed tanks, no air force, 6 major Naval vessels, no submarines.

Germany was also not allowed to join with Austria to make a single large German speaking State.

The Treaty included the “War Guilt” clause – Article 231, which held Germany responsible for the war. As such, Germany had to pay reparations, mostly to France and Belgium. The amount decided upon eventually was £6,600 million, over $700 Billion in today’s money– and beyond Germany’s ability to pay.

Germany was also not admitted into the League of Nations until 1926.

Source 2

Activity

Question 1

Describe the motivations and influence at the Paris Peace Conference of the “Big Three”.

(150 word answer approximately.)

Question 2

Using source 1 & 2 and figure 1.2, describe how the Treaty of Versailles attempted to punish Germany.

(150 word answer approx.)

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