Germans’ reactions to the Treaty

There was fury across Germany at the signing of the

treaty, even from moderate Germans who were not

supporters of extreme left- or right-wing groups.

Although Germany had expected punishment, this

went well beyond what had been anticipated.

Germans regarded the treaty as a diktat – an enforced

agreement, rather than one which was negotiated.

As a result of the signing there were huge protests in cities across Germany, as well as at the Reichstag building. Some

even advocated re-starting the war rather than sign the deal.

Germans were angry for a variety of reasons:

• They did not believe they were to blame for the war starting

• They felt they could not afford the reparations

• They worried their reduced military left them vulnerable to attack

Cartoon from the German satirical magazine Simplissimus, 3 June 1919

German anger at the treaty was aimed at different groups.

Within Germany, the politicians that signed up to the deal were attacked, giving further weight to the ‘stab in the back’ idea.

This in turn undermined the entire idea of democracy and

the Weimar Republic, leading to right-wing revolts.

Germans that supported signing were also criticised; rumours spread of Jewish involvement in the treaty.

Germans were also angry at the Allied countries that had

devised the treaty. Britain and the USA were the target of

German fury, with France in particular being resented. ‘Clemenceau the Vampire’ - from the German

newspaper Kladderadatsch (July 1919)

Opinion was divided in the Allied countries about the treaty.

France wanted harsher conditions and was angry at the

outcome; Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau lost power in 1920.

Britain had wanted Germany punished, but senior politicians voiced doubts, believing that the

treaty had gone too far.

The USA was also divided by the treaty’s details.

Many politicians – especially from Irish and German

backgrounds – felt the treaty helped Britain too much.

The US Congress never agreed to the treaty, so a separate

peace between the USA and Germany was signed in 1921.