Versailles & the League of Nations

History: OCR A GCSE Cold War & International Relations, topic 1.1.4

The Treaty of Versailles, 1919

The terms of peace were agreed in the Treaty of Versailles, 1919. The Germans were humiliated and resented (felt bitter towards) the Allies. They believed the treaty was diktat (a dictated peace) and that it was unfair.

General terms

Germany accepted blame for the war (Article 231, the ‘War Guilt Clause’).
Germany must pay £6.6 billion in reparations (payments to the victors) to the Allies.
The loss of land in Europe and all German colonies.
Germany lost 10% of its land and 12.5% of its population.

Military terms for Germany

Military restrictions for Germany included having a maximum of 100,000 soldiers, 15,000 sailors, 6 ships, 0 submarines and 0 armoured vehicles.
The Rhineland was demilitarisatised (no military allowed in).
Germany was not able to join with Austria.

Resentment of Versailles in Germany

Some Germans felt that Germany could have won the war and so were ‘stabbed in the back’ by Ebert and his government that signed the armistice. These politicians were known as the 'November Criminals'.

The League of Nations, 1920

At the conclusion of WWI, the Treaty of Versailles established the League of Nations. It was made based on Woodrow Wilson's view of a new world order. But, 25 years later, this view was in tatters.

Aims of the LoN

To keep the peace.
To promote international cooperation.

Organisation of the LoN

Made up of:
An assembly that met annually.
A council that met to consider crises whenever they arose.
A small secretariat that was responsible for the paperwork.
A Court of International Justice.
Several committees that performed humanitarian work.

Strengths of the LoN

The League of Nations was established by the Treaty of Versailles, which had been signed by every relevant nation.
By the 1930s, there were 58 member nations.
Had the power to respond to a country declaring war by applying trade sanctions.
Was able to provide arbitration through the Court of International Justice to enforce its aims.

Weaknesses of the LoN

The League of Nations was established by the Treaty of Versailles, which was disliked by all the nations who had signed it.
The aims of the League were unrealistic.
The League had no military personnel that it could call upon (use).
Important absentees from the League were Russia, Germany and the USA.
Unanimous decisions were required for an action to be taken.
The organisational structure was clumsy.

Test yourself on Versailles & the League of Nations

When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?
Military terms of the Treaty of Versailles
Which country was Germany banned from joining with at the Treaty of Versailles?
Which of the following is true of the League of Nations?
What were the aims of the League of Nations?

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