British Reaction
History: Cambridge International GCSE The Twentieth Century (Option B), topic 1.2.8
Great Britain
The terms that were placed on the Germans were harsh and this is what the British people liked.
British attitude
- Many British people had family members who had died in the First World War.
- The terms that were placed on the Germans were harsh and this is what the British people liked.
Naval supremacy
- Before World War One, Britain had been in an arms race with Germany, where they competed to create the strongest navy.
- By weakening & limiting the German military and navy, the British Government had made sure that the British Navy was still the strongest.
- This is known as naval supremacy.
- This made the government feel happy and secure that they remained powerful.
Empire
- The British Empire grew in size because of the colonies taken from Germany.
- This was good for national pride, and access to economic resources.
Harsher terms
- There were some however that wanted Germany to be treated even more harshly than they were.
David Lloyd George
- Lloyd George had major reservations about the Treaty.
- He felt that it crippled Germany economically, socially and politically.
- He believed that this would cause them to seek revenge in the future.
Test yourself on British Reaction
Which British leader had major reservations about the Treaty of Versailles?