1. Treaty of Versailles

2. Background Information
Treaty that ended World War I
End result of the Paris Peace Conference
Dominated by France, Great Britain, Italy, and United States
Targeted Germany mostly

3. Leaders of the “Big Four” (from left to right): Great Britain’s David Lloyd George, Italy’s Vittorio Orlando, France’s Georges Clemenceau, and America’s Woodrow Wilson

4. Reparation
“The making of amends for wrong or injury done; compensation in money, material, labor, etc., payable by a defeated country to another country or to an individual for loss suffered during or as a result of war.” (Dictionary.com)

5. Group Work
You’re going to look up information about the four key parts of the Treaty in regards to Germany
Group 1: war guilt clause
Group 2: damages/reparations (search hint: “german reparations treaty of Versailles”, “treaty of Versailles reparations”)
Group 3: territories lost (search hint: “german territories lost after world war I”)
Group 4: military (search hint: “german disarmament after world war I”)

6. What to look for You’re going to be teaching your classmates
Figure out what the treaty said about your topic. (What was supposed to happen? Who was affected?)
Look up any words you don’t know.
Figure out, with your group, how to explain it to your classmates. (Use terms that you and other can understand. Make sure that you explain EVERYTHING that is important about your topic.)
On a sheet of paper (one per group) write down what you find.

7. 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.“ (Article 231)
Even though Germany didn’t start the war, they would have to take all blame associated with the war
Impacts the rest of the treaty
Made many Germans angry

8. Damages
Germany would have to pay back the Allied forces for damage done during the war.
Allies decided that Germany should only have to pay for civilian damage during the war.
They would have to pay 132 billion gold Marks ($33 billion).
Germany didn’t finish paying this off until 2010.
Caused hyperinflation and destruction of the German economy.

9. Territories lost to… France Poland Belgium Denmark Czechoslovakia
Alsace and Lorraine region
Highly industrialized area
Poland
West Prussia, Posen, Upper Silesia
Belgium
Small areas of Eupen, Malmèdy, Moresńet, St. Vith
Denmark
Northern Schleswig
Czechoslovakia
Border area near Troppau

10. Germany after the war
Germany before the war

11. Military
Greatly reduced the number of weapons, machines, and soldiers that Germany could possess
6 battleships
6 light cruisers
12 destroyers
12 torpedo boats
Navy could not have more than 1500 officers
Forbidden to use tanks, military aircraft or heavy artillery
The Army was to be a volunteer army no larger then 100, 000
Greatly weakened Germany

12. German response They were livid.
Couldn’t do or say anything because of position after the war.
Inspired various Germans to act (including Adolf Hitler).
Ruined German economy

14. Exchange rates 1919 1922 November 1, 1923 November 16, 1923
4.2 German Marks for every 1 US dollar
1922
400 German Marks for every 1 US dollar
November 1, 1923
1.3 billion German Marks for every 1 US dollar
November 16, 1923
4.2 trillion German Marks for every 1 US dollar