1. 28 June 1919 Germany signed up to the terms of the Treaty of Versailles formally ending WWI. How do you think the artist of this cartoon viewed the outcome of the Treaty for Germany? Who do you think the people are in this picture?  Starter

2. ‘Big Three’, Lloyd-George, Clemenceau & Roosevelt Lloyd-George Clemenceau Wilson

3. Finally, Germany had no choice, but to accept. On 28 June 1919 German representatives reluctantly signed the Treaty. But they called it ‘ the shameful diktat of Versailles ’. SHP, p.16

4. Why did the Germans hate the Treaty of Versailles? To identify the key terms of the Treaty of Versailles and understand how Germans reacted to them  Aims

5.  Your task Read p.16 and note down the reasons why Germany initially felt optimistic about the Paris Peace Conference (1919). Read p.16 and note down the reasons why Germany initially felt optimistic about the Paris Peace Conference (1919). Delegates outside the Palace of Versailles

6. Reasons for optimism Abdication of Kaiser Abdication of Kaiser New democratic govt New democratic govt Expectations the Allies would help the new Weimar Govt Expectations the Allies would help the new Weimar Govt President Wilson’s desire for fairness – 14 Points President Wilson’s desire for fairness – 14 Points Other countries were not blameless Other countries were not blameless ? What do you think Chancellor Ebert was thinking on the eve of the Paris Peace Conference?

7.  Your task War Guilt Reparations Germany’s colonies Territorial losses Why did Germans hate the Treaty of Versailles? Military restrictions

8. War guilt Article 231 of the Treaty stated that Germany was to blame for causing the war. Article 231 of the Treaty stated that Germany was to blame for causing the war. Why did many Germans resent this clause?

9. Reparations As Germany was held responsible for the war, the allies could claim reparations for the damage caused In 1921 a special commission fixed a sum of £6,600 m. to be paid in annual instalments The Treaty also took away 10% of Germany’s industry and 15% of its agricultural land Why did many Germans complain about reparations?

10. Germany’s colonies Germany’s colonies were handed over to the League of Nations, who gave them to Britain and France to run Germany’s colonies were handed over to the League of Nations, who gave them to Britain and France to run Why did many Germans resent the League of Nations running their colonies?

11. Military restrictions Air force was disbanded Air force was disbanded Army limited to 100,000 soldiers Army limited to 100,000 soldiers Navy limited to 15,000 sailors, six battleships and no submarines Navy limited to 15,000 sailors, six battleships and no submarines Which country was keen to restrict Germany’s navy? Why?

12. Military restrictions Rhineland occupied by the Allies for 15 years No German troops allowed in this area Why were the Germans especially unhappy about these terms?

13. Territorial losses Alsace-Lorraine returned to France Alsace-Lorraine returned to France West Prussia and Posen (Polish Corridor) lost to Poland West Prussia and Posen (Polish Corridor) lost to Poland Saarland taken over by the League of Nations for 15 years Saarland taken over by the League of Nations for 15 years Which of the territorial losses would have angered the Germans most?

14. Plenary Plenary A myth emerged after the Treaty of Versailles that it was a stab in the back for Germany. Do you agree with this description? A myth emerged after the Treaty of Versailles that it was a stab in the back for Germany. Do you agree with this description?

15.  Homework Write a short speech to deliver to the new German Parliament explaining why you hate the terms of the Treaty of Versailles so much.