Terms of the Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles

The treaty was signed today at Versailles. At 10:30 am Washington time Phillips and I sat in the telegraph room on the 4^th floor of the Dept. and had a direct wire from there to Versailles - with only two relays, one at London and one at Newfoundland, where it went into and came out of the submarine cable. It was 5¼ hours different time at Versailles. As each signed it was signalled out over the wire and ticked off on the receiver at our side and the operator read it by ear and wrote it out as received on a typewriter. We leaned over his shoulder and read the bulletins. It was a unique and most interesting experience - and a great occasion. Breckenridge Long, Diary (Saturday, 28 June 1919) Long was an US diplomat	Links Signing the Treaty - newspaper quotes Terms of the treaty - simple list Terms - more detailed list Key terms of the treaty - actual articles (full text) - simple description - Giles Hill's podcast on the Peace Treaty A map Short answer (BBC bitesize) Was the Treaty Unfair? Describe how the Treaty of Versailles weakened Germany: a. Through the loss of territory, b. Militarily, c. Economically.
On 28 June 1919, the victors met at the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, near Paris, and forced two Germans to agree to the terms of peace. Germany was not allowed to send any delegates, and had no choice but to accept whatever was decided. The first 26 Articles of the Treaty set out the Covenant of the League of Nations; the rest of the 440 Articles detailed Germany's punishment.
The main points of the Treaty [BRAT] 1. Germany had to accept the Blame for starting the war (Clause 231). 2. Germany had to pay £6,600 million (called Reparations) for the damage done during the war. 3. Germany was forbidden to have submarines or an air force. She could have a navy of only six battleships, and an Army of just 100,000 men. In addition, Germany was not allowed to place any troops in the Rhineland, the strip of land, 50 miles wide, next to France. 4. Germany lost Territory (land) in Europe (see map, below). Germany’s colonies were given to Britain and France. (Also, Germany was forbidden to join the League of Nations, or unite with Austria.)	Source A The Allied governments affirm, and Germany accepts, the responsibility of Germany and her allies for causing all the loss and damage to which the Allied governments and their peoples have been subjected as a result of the war. The Treaty of Versailles, Clause 231 (the 'War Guilt' clause)
Source B