The Terms of Versailles 2

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Reparations

After negotiations at the Palace of Versailles, the Treaty of Versailles was drawn up by the Allies. An easy way to remember the TOV is to use the term ‘TRAWL’. R is for Reparations.

Reparations

Germany had to pay a total of £6.6 billion to the Allies as compensation for the war.
This would take them over 60 years to pay back.
In 2010, Germany made its final payment of £59 million, clearing its reparations debt.

Poverty

These reparations were very costly and Germany would find it very difficult to pay.
This was because Germany, like other countries in Europe was very poor after fighting in a war (wars cost money) and in fact hundreds of thousands were claimed to have died of starvation in Germany after the war due to poverty.

Armaments

After negotiations at the Palace of Versailles, the Treaty of Versailles was drawn up by the Allies. An easy way to remember the TOV is to use the term ‘TRAWL’. A is for Armaments.

Aims of disarmament

Germany’s armed forces were severely limited to make sure they couldn’t start another war.
This clause would also humiliate Germany as previously, they were very proud of their military might under the Kaiser’s leadership.

Restrictions

They were not allowed an air force.
Their army was limited to 100,000 men with no tanks - this was to act as a defensive army only.
Their navy was limited to 15,000 men and were only allowed 6 battleships, no submarines, and limited naval ships.

Purpose

This would mean that Germany’s armed forces could only use their army for defensive purposes if they were attacked and not in an offensive (attacking) war.

War Guilt and the League of Nations

After negotiations at the Palace of Versailles, the Treaty of Versailles was drawn up by the Allies. An easy way to remember the TOV is to use the term ‘TRAWL’. W is for War Guilt and L is for the League of Nations.

War Guilt

Under Article 231 of the Treaty, the Germans had to accept full responsibility for causing the First World War.
This was known as the war guilt clause.

Humiliation

This was very humiliating for the Germans and they believed that they hadn’t caused the war.
They were also humiliated in front of the whole world and were seen as an outcast.

League of Nations

This was set up after the war to promote peace and co-operation between countries of the world.
Germany was not allowed to join the League.
This did little to show the German people that they were still internationally recognised as a powerful and peaceful country.
They seemed an outcast.