The Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of VersaillesThe Treaty of Versailles

OverviewOverview

Triple Entente: LossesTriple Entente: Losses Britain : 750,000 soldiers killed; 1,500,000 woundedBritain : 750,000 soldiers killed; 1,500,000 wounded

France : 1,400,000 soldiers killed; 2,500,000 woundedFrance : 1,400,000 soldiers killed; 2,500,000 wounded

Belgium : 50,000 soldiers killedBelgium : 50,000 soldiers killed

Italy : 600,000 soldiers killedItaly : 600,000 soldiers killed

Russia : 1,700,000 soldiers killedRussia : 1,700,000 soldiers killed

America : 116,000 soldiers killedAmerica : 116,000 soldiers killed

Canada : 60, 000 soldiers killedCanada : 60, 000 soldiers killed

(The Treaty of Versailles)(The Treaty of Versailles)

Triple Alliance: LossesTriple Alliance: Losses

Those who had fought against the Allies Those who had fought against the Allies suffered heavy casualties as well:suffered heavy casualties as well:

Germany : 2,000,000 soldiers killedGermany : 2,000,000 soldiers killed Austria-Hungary : 1,200,000 soldiers killedAustria-Hungary : 1,200,000 soldiers killed Turkey : 325,000 soldiers killedTurkey : 325,000 soldiers killed Bulgaria : 100,000 soldiers killedBulgaria : 100,000 soldiers killed

(The Treaty of Versailles)(The Treaty of Versailles)

Worldwide impactWorldwide impact The total deaths of all nations who fought in the The total deaths of all nations who fought in the

war is thought to have been 8.5 million with 21 war is thought to have been 8.5 million with 21 million being wounded. million being wounded. (The Treaty of Versailles)(The Treaty of Versailles)

Europe had been devastatedEurope had been devastated

In addition many towns had been destroyedIn addition many towns had been destroyed

Infrastructure of cities needed to be rebuiltInfrastructure of cities needed to be rebuilt

The victors of WWI had no compunction about The victors of WWI had no compunction about dealing with Germany harshly as the most dealing with Germany harshly as the most culpable for the damagesculpable for the damages

ImagesImages

Before and after: Photos from FranceBefore and after: Photos from France

Ruins of VauxRuins of Vaux

Ruins of CantignyRuins of Cantigny

The Treaty of Versailles The Treaty of Versailles

The terms of peace imposed on Germany The terms of peace imposed on Germany after WW Iafter WW I

Drafted at the Paris Peace ConferenceDrafted at the Paris Peace Conference

Signed near the French capital at Versailles,Signed near the French capital at Versailles,June 28th 1919 June 28th 1919

The intention was to weaken the German The intention was to weaken the German Empire so she would not be able to rebuild Empire so she would not be able to rebuild and pose a threat to the victor nationsand pose a threat to the victor nations

The Terms of the TreatyThe Terms of the Treaty Germany had to accept responsibility for the warGermany had to accept responsibility for the war

Dismantled the German Empire and redistributed lands (For Dismantled the German Empire and redistributed lands (For example: Alsace-Lorraine was given to France, West example: Alsace-Lorraine was given to France, West Prussia, Posen and Upper Silesia were given to Poland and Prussia, Posen and Upper Silesia were given to Poland and Germany had to relinquish rights to her colonies)Germany had to relinquish rights to her colonies)

Required substantial financial reparations form the Required substantial financial reparations form the Germans (269 billion gold marks approximately $393.6 Germans (269 billion gold marks approximately $393.6 Billion US Dollars as of 2005)Billion US Dollars as of 2005)

Germany’s armed forces were reduced dramaticallyGermany’s armed forces were reduced dramatically

This ultimatum if not accepted would result in invasion of This ultimatum if not accepted would result in invasion of Germany by Allied forcesGermany by Allied forces

Canada and the Canada and the Treaty of VersaillesTreaty of Versailles

PM Sir Robert BordenPM Sir Robert Borden led a successful fight for separate Dominion led a successful fight for separate Dominion representation at the conference and separate signatures on the representation at the conference and separate signatures on the treaty. (Versailles, Treaty of)treaty. (Versailles, Treaty of)

He believed passionately that Canada, with 60 000 war dead, had He believed passionately that Canada, with 60 000 war dead, had paid the price of such recognition. (Versailles, Treaty of)paid the price of such recognition. (Versailles, Treaty of)

Canada was represented on the British Empire delegation, a fact that Canada was represented on the British Empire delegation, a fact that increased Canada's prestige and the opportunities for making its increased Canada's prestige and the opportunities for making its views known. (Versailles, Treaty of)views known. (Versailles, Treaty of)

Canada remained subordinate to Britain… but her emerging Canada remained subordinate to Britain… but her emerging international personality had been recognized. (Versailles, Treaty international personality had been recognized. (Versailles, Treaty of)of)

The treaty also made provision for a The treaty also made provision for a LEAGUE OF NATIONSLEAGUE OF NATIONS, providing , providing another vehicle for the advancement of Canada's national status another vehicle for the advancement of Canada's national status (Versailles, Treaty of)(Versailles, Treaty of)

The Treaty of VersaillesThe Treaty of Versailles

Primary Source AnalysisPrimary Source Analysis

Read each excerpt Read each excerpt

Identify the issue raised Identify the issue raised

What reparation and/or What reparation and/or change was expected from change was expected from

GermanyGermany

Article 231Article 231

The Allied and Associated Governments The Allied and Associated Governments affirm and Germany accepts the affirm and Germany accepts the responsibility of Germany and her allies responsibility of Germany and her allies for causing all the loss and damage to for causing all the loss and damage to which the Allied and Associated which the Allied and Associated Governments and their nationals have Governments and their nationals have been subjected as a consequence of been subjected as a consequence of the war imposed upon them by the the war imposed upon them by the aggression of Germany and her allies. aggression of Germany and her allies. ((Treaty of Versailles: Articles and Annexes)

Article 235Article 235 In order to enable the Allied and Associated Powers to In order to enable the Allied and Associated Powers to

proceed at once to the restoration of their industrial and proceed at once to the restoration of their industrial and economic life, pending the full determination of their economic life, pending the full determination of their claims, Germany shall pay in such installments and in such claims, Germany shall pay in such installments and in such manner (whether in gold, commodities, ships, securities or manner (whether in gold, commodities, ships, securities or otherwise) as the Reparation Commission may fix, during otherwise) as the Reparation Commission may fix, during 1919, 1920 and the first four months of 1921, the 1919, 1920 and the first four months of 1921, the equivalent of 20,000,000,000 gold marks. Out of this sum equivalent of 20,000,000,000 gold marks. Out of this sum the expenses of the armies of occupation subsequent to the the expenses of the armies of occupation subsequent to the Armistice of November 11, 1918, shall first be met, and Armistice of November 11, 1918, shall first be met, and such supplies of food and raw materials as may be judged such supplies of food and raw materials as may be judged by the Governments of the Principal Allied and Associated by the Governments of the Principal Allied and Associated Powers to be essential to enable Germany to meet her Powers to be essential to enable Germany to meet her obligations for reparation may also, with the approval of the obligations for reparation may also, with the approval of the said Governments, be paid for out of the above sum. The said Governments, be paid for out of the above sum. The balance shall be reckoned towards liquidation of the balance shall be reckoned towards liquidation of the amounts due for reparation. Germany shall further deposit amounts due for reparation. Germany shall further deposit bonds as prescribed in paragraph 12 (c) Of Annex II hereto. bonds as prescribed in paragraph 12 (c) Of Annex II hereto. ((Treaty of Versailles: Articles and Annexes)

Article 42-44Article 42-44Article 42Article 42 Germany is forbidden to maintain or construct any fortifications Germany is forbidden to maintain or construct any fortifications

either on the left bank of the Rhine or on the right bank to the either on the left bank of the Rhine or on the right bank to the west of a line drawn 50 kilometres to the East of the Rhine. west of a line drawn 50 kilometres to the East of the Rhine.

Article 43Article 43 In the area defined above the maintenance and the assembly of In the area defined above the maintenance and the assembly of

armed forces, either permanently or temporarily, and military armed forces, either permanently or temporarily, and military maneuvers of any kind, as well as the upkeep of all permanent maneuvers of any kind, as well as the upkeep of all permanent works for mobilization, are in the same way forbidden. works for mobilization, are in the same way forbidden.

Article 44Article 44 In case Germany violates in any manner whatever the In case Germany violates in any manner whatever the

provisions of Articles 42 and 43, she shall be regarded as provisions of Articles 42 and 43, she shall be regarded as committing a hostile act against the Powers signatory of the committing a hostile act against the Powers signatory of the present Treaty and as calculated to disturb the peace of the present Treaty and as calculated to disturb the peace of the world. world.

((Treaty of Versailles: Articles and Annexes)

Articles 119-120Articles 119-120

Article 119Article 119 Germany renounces in favour of the Principal Germany renounces in favour of the Principal

Allied and Associated Powers all her rights and Allied and Associated Powers all her rights and titles over her oversea possessions. titles over her oversea possessions.

Article 120Article 120 All movable and immovable property in such All movable and immovable property in such

territories belonging to the German Empire or to territories belonging to the German Empire or to any German State shall pass to the Government any German State shall pass to the Government exercising authority over such territories, on the exercising authority over such territories, on the terms laid down in Article 257 of Part IX (Financial terms laid down in Article 257 of Part IX (Financial Clauses) of the present Treaty. The decision of Clauses) of the present Treaty. The decision of the local courts in any dispute as to the nature of the local courts in any dispute as to the nature of such property shall be final. such property shall be final.


Article 160Article 160 By a date which must not be later than March 31, By a date which must not be later than March 31,

1920, the German Army must not comprise more 1920, the German Army must not comprise more than seven divisions of infantry and three divisions of than seven divisions of infantry and three divisions of cavalry. cavalry.

After that date the total number of effectives in the After that date the total number of effectives in the Army of the States constituting Germany must not Army of the States constituting Germany must not exceed one hundred thousand men, including officers exceed one hundred thousand men, including officers and establishments of depots. The Army shall be and establishments of depots. The Army shall be devoted exclusively to the maintenance of order devoted exclusively to the maintenance of order within the territory and to the control of the frontiers. within the territory and to the control of the frontiers.

The total effective strength of officers, including the The total effective strength of officers, including the personnel of staffs, whatever their composition, must personnel of staffs, whatever their composition, must not exceed four thousand. not exceed four thousand.


Germany’s ReactionGermany’s Reaction The Germans expected to be consulted by the Allies on the The Germans expected to be consulted by the Allies on the

contents of the Treaty. contents of the Treaty.

This did not happen and there was not much they could do This did not happen and there was not much they could do about it. about it.

The German representatives saw the terms of the treaty The German representatives saw the terms of the treaty three weeks before they were due to sign it on June 28th three weeks before they were due to sign it on June 28th 1919.1919.

There was anger throughout Germany about the terms of the There was anger throughout Germany about the terms of the treaty being forced upon them and the treaty was called ” a treaty being forced upon them and the treaty was called ” a Diktat” Diktat”

As they had little choice, the Germans signed the treatyAs they had little choice, the Germans signed the treaty Many Germans felt that all of Germany was being held Many Germans felt that all of Germany was being held

accountable for the mistakes of its governmentaccountable for the mistakes of its government(The Treaty of Versailles)(The Treaty of Versailles)

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Articles 231-247 and Annexes." First World War.com - A multimedia history of World War One. 11 Jan. 2009

<http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/versailles231-247.htm>.

"Great War "Before and After" Photos." The World War I Document Archive. 11 Jan. 2009

<http://www.gwpda.org/photos/before.htm>.

"The Treaty of Versailles" History Learning Site::. 11 Jan. 2009 <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/treaty_of_versailles.htm>.

"Versailles, Treaty of." The Canadian Encyclopedia. 11 Jan. 2009 <http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?

PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0008340>.

The World War I Document Archive. 11 Jan. 2009 <http://www.gwpda.org/photos/bin01/imag0048.jpg>.

The World War I Document Archive. 11 Jan. 2009 <http://www.gwpda.org/photos/bin01/imag0048.jpg>.