The Terms: War Guilt
History: Cambridge International GCSE The Twentieth Century (Option B), topic 1.2.4
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 because they were seen as the instigators of WW1.
- Germany was therefore viewed as a threat to international peace.
- This did little to show the German people that they were still internationally recognised as a powerful and peaceful country.
- They seemed an outcast.
Test yourself on The Terms: War Guilt
What did Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles contain?
Which country was NOT allowed to join the League of Nations?