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May the hand wither that signs this treaty. Frederick Scheidemann, the German Chancellor (June 1919) then he resigned rather than agree to the Treaty |
LinksThe Berlin Times (pdf) - an excellent pupil assignment BBCi site - mediocre Brockdorff-Rantzau on the economic articles of the Treaty - difficult but worthwhile The Official German reaction to the Treaty - difficult
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When
the Germans heard about the Treaty of Versailles, they felt ‘pain and
anger’. They felt it was unfair. They had not been allowed
to take part in the talks – they had just been told to sign. At
first they refused to sign the Treaty. Some Germans wanted to start
the war again. The Germans were angry at Clause 231; they said they were not to blame for the war. The soldier sent to sign the Treaty refused to sign it – ‘To say such a thing would be a lie,’ he said. The Germans were angry about reparations; they said France and Britain were trying to starve their children to death. At first they refused to pay, and only started paying after France and Britain invaded Germany (January 1921). The
Germans were angry about their tiny army.
They said they were helpless against other countries. At
first they refused to reduce the army, and the sailors sank the fleet,
rather than hand it over.
The
Germans also thought the loss of territory was unfair.
Germany lost a tenth of its land. Other nations were given
self-determination – but the Treaty forced Germans to live in other
countries. Germans were also angry that they could not unite with
the Austrian Germans. |
New
Words
Clause 231: the paragraph blaming Germany for the war.
reparations:
the money Germany had to pay for damage done during the war.
Source
A
The
disgraceful Treaty is being signed today.
Don’t forget it!
We
will never stop until we win back what we deserve. From
Deutsche Zeitung, a German newspaper, 28 June 1919.
Source
B
Those
who sign this treaty, will sign the death sentence of many millions of
German men, women and children. Count
Brockdorff-Rantzau, leader of the German delegation to
Versailles (15 May 1919).
Did You Know?
The
Treaty of Versailles helped Adolf Hitler's rise to power.
Many Germans supported him because he promised to destroy the Treaty. |
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Study the materials, and the webpage on German reactions, then list and explain ALL the reasons why Germans were angry at the Treaty of Versailles.
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