The Treaty of Versailles & Interwar Germany

The Treaty of Versailles & Interwar Germany How did WWI, the Treaty of Versailles, and the Great Depression affect the German people?

The Treaty of Versailles • The Five Key Clauses: • The War Guilt Clause (Article 231) • The Reparations Clause (Article 232) • The Mandates Clause (Article 22) • The Covenant Clause (Article 10) • The Disarmament Clause (Article 160) • The treaty effectively stripped Germany of all power and crippled the economy

The Covenant Clause • Clause: • Article 10 of the Treaty of Versailles dealt with the establishment of a “covenant of nations” called the League of Nations • Effects: • While the League’s goals for world peace were lofty, it suffered from an inability to hold any members to its decisions and it lacked two key members: the United States and Russia (except between 1934-1939 as the U.S.S.R.)

The failure of the U.S. to enter the League of Nations contributed to its weakness.

The Mandates Clause • Clause: • Article 22 of the Treaty of Versailles took away much of Germany’s land and gave control of the German and the Austro-Hungarian colonies to the League of Nations • Effects: • The loss of land hurt the national pride of Germans and contributed to the crippling of the German economy (the ceded regions were rich in natural resources).

German land ceded to form new nations and to form a buffer zone for France

The War Guilt Clause • Clause: • Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to admit responsibility for the war • Effects: • As Germans continued to suffer due to the effects of the harsh terms of the treaty, increasing numbers of militants and leaders used the war guilt clause and the Treaty of Versailles as a scapegoat for the economic depression that devastated Germany after WWI

The War Guilt Clause The Allied and Associated Governments affirm and Germany accepts the responsibility of Germany and her allies for causing all the loss and damage to which the Allied and Associated Governments and their nationals have been subjected as a consequence of the war imposed upon them by the aggression of Germany and her allies.

The Reparations Clause • Clause: • Article 232 of the Treaty of Versailles required Germany to pay the Allied Nations sums equal to the damage done to the civilian population and their property during the war • Effects: • Already crippled by war, so much money is funneled out of Germany as a result of war debts that the German economy descends into a deep depression.

The German mark was so worthless that kids used stacks of it as building blocks

The Disarmament Clause • Clause: • Article 160 of the Treaty of Versailles limited the German military: • Later articles also limited the munitions, armaments, and manufacturing capabilities of the German military • Effects: • Germany’s pride was bruised, but more importantly because one of the cornerstones of German industry was military armaments and weapons factories, the restrictions on production further weakened the German economy.

The Disarmament Clause …the German Army must not comprisemore than seven divisions of infantry and three divisions ofcavalry.

The German Response • Germany was forced to sign under threat of renewing war • Punishment sowed seeds of bitterness • Further divided Europe • The discontent of the people and economic depression are used by Hitler and the Nazis to gain power

The Inflation Auction • The dice dictate how much money you get per round • There will be 3 rounds, roll before each • You may keep your money between rounds (but must give it back at the end of the auction…please do not write on or otherwise destroy the money) • The items to be auctioned will be announced and bid upon as quickly as possible

German Hyperinflation • Between 1919 and 1923 Germany experienced hyperinflation—a devaluation of money by more than 50% a month • As inflation spiraled out of control the German people increasingly looked to strong leaders and political parties that offered solutions to Germany’s problems

The Great Depression • Overproduction, increasing international protectionism, overextensions of consumer credit, and poor regulation of the money supply lead to a drastic drop in economic consumption and production • As the economy faltered, people lost faith in banks, unemployment soared, and governments increasingly isolated themselves • German unemployment reached over 25% nationwide, with much higher percentages in most major cities

The Weimar Republic • At the end of WWI the German government collapsed. Kaiser Wilhelm II gave up the throne and the Weimar Republic was established • The Weimar Republic lasted 14 years. In 1932 the Nazis gained control of the Reichstag, soon after Hitler was appointed Chancellor of the republic—he was never elected to lead Germany • The rise of the Nazis signaled the end of the Weimar Republic

Sources • Google Images • http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/ • http://www.firstworldwar.com

The Treaty of Versailles & Interwar Germany