What this lesson teaches
I can explain how the peace treaties after World War I changed Europe, especially Germany.
Syllabus K227, After World War I, Learning Outcomes. Explain the impact of post-war peace settlements on Europe.
Make a guess
In June 1919 Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles. What do you think happened to its army?
- It was cut to 100,000 men, with no tanks, air force or conscription.
- It stayed the same, since Germany had not been invaded.
- It was disbanded, leaving Germany with a police force but no army or navy.
Show the answer
It was cut to 100,000 men, with no tanks, air force or conscription.
The limits were meant to make another German attack impossible. The navy was cut too.
Under the Treaty of Versailles, Germany accepted blame for war damage, paid reparations, cut its forces and lost land.
Reparations were payments, or deliveries of goods, to make up for war damage. Article 231 of the treaty said Germany and its allies were responsible for the loss and damage caused by their aggression. This was the legal basis for reparations. Many Germans hated it as a verdict of guilt. But the clause did not say Germany alone caused every part of the war.
The treaty said Germany must pay reparations, but it did not set the total in June 1919. The final bill of 132 billion gold marks was fixed in 1921.
Germany's army was limited to 100,000 men. Conscription, compulsory military service, was banned, and so were tanks and an air force. The navy was also limited. The Rhineland stayed part of Germany, but Germany could not keep troops or build forts there. This is demilitarisation: banning military use of an area.
Germany lost Alsace-Lorraine to France, and land that became the Polish corridor. It lost all its overseas colonies. The Saar had a different deal: the League ran it for 15 years, and France got its coal mines. So keep the three apart. Land changing hands is different from a ban on troops, and different again from a change in who owns the mines.
- Army
- 100,000 men; no conscription, tanks or air force.
- Reparations
- Final bill of 132 billion gold marks, set in 1921.
- Land
- Alsace-Lorraine to France; Polish corridor; all colonies lost.
Worked example: Three places, three deals
Compare Alsace-Lorraine, the Rhineland and the Saar after the treaty.
- Alsace-Lorraine: given back to France.
- Rhineland: stays German, but no troops allowed.
- Saar: run by the League for 15 years; France gets the coal mines.
Watch out for this
The treaty cut the German army to 10,000 and gave the Rhineland to France.
The limit was 100,000 men. The Rhineland stayed German but was demilitarised.
Check your understanding
What happened to the Rhineland under Versailles?
- It stayed German, but German troops were banned there.
- It was run by the League for 15 years.
- It was given to France.
Show the answer
It stayed German, but German troops were banned there.
Yes. It was demilitarised, not given away.
Check your understanding
Which term of the Treaty of Versailles was aimed mainly at French security?
- Demilitarising the Rhineland.
- Reparations of 132 billion gold marks.
- Article 231, the War Guilt Clause.
Show the answer
Demilitarising the Rhineland.
Keeping German troops out of the Rhineland protected France's border.