Explain why many Germans regarded the terms of the Treaty of Versailles as unfair
Explain why many Germans regarded the terms of the Treaty of Versailles as unfair
One reason why Germans regarded the Treaty as unfair was because of how much land they lost due to it. All of Germany’s colonies were stripped from her and given to Britain and France; this caused anger as some of the colonies were acquired before the war. Furthermore, Alsace-Lorraine, 40 years after it was invaded by Germany, was handed back to France, Belgium received Eupen and Malmedy. The Saar region was placed under the power of the League of Nations for 15 years. Denmark received Northern Schleswig. Finally, the Rhineland was demilitarized; that is, no German military forces were allowed there. In the east, Poland received parts of West Prussia and Silesia from Germany. In addition, Czechoslovakia received the Hultschin district from Germany; the largely German city of Danzig became a free city under the protection of the League of Nations; and Memel, a small strip of territory in East Prussia along the Baltic Sea, was ultimately placed under Lithuanian control. In total, Germany forfeited 13 percent of its European territory (more than 27,000 square miles) and one-tenth of its population (between 6.5 and 7 million people). This angered many Germans, as now once German nationals were now living under the rule of a different country, the Saar had rich coalfields, West Prussia had extremely fertile land and Danzig was relied heavily upon for German trade. All the land lost would result in a severe economic problem for Germany in the long term as now 12% of its workforce was not under its control.
Another reason Germans felt the treaty was unfair was because how weak Germany would become. Arguably the strongest power prior the war, Germany was facing near-destruction if France had got its way. However, they did face severe reparations on their defences. The Rhineland was de-militarised; with the League of Nations stationed there for 15 years. This left Germany vulnerable to
One reason why Germans regarded the Treaty as unfair was because of how much land they lost due to it. All of Germany’s colonies were stripped from her and given to Britain and France; this caused anger as some of the colonies were acquired before the war. Furthermore, Alsace-Lorraine, 40 years after it was invaded by Germany, was handed back to France, Belgium received Eupen and Malmedy. The Saar region was placed under the power of the League of Nations for 15 years. Denmark received Northern Schleswig. Finally, the Rhineland was demilitarized; that is, no German military forces were allowed there. In the east, Poland received parts of West Prussia and Silesia from Germany. In addition, Czechoslovakia received the Hultschin district from Germany; the largely German city of Danzig became a free city under the protection of the League of Nations; and Memel, a small strip of territory in East Prussia along the Baltic Sea, was ultimately placed under Lithuanian control. In total, Germany forfeited 13 percent of its European territory (more than 27,000 square miles) and one-tenth of its population (between 6.5 and 7 million people). This angered many Germans, as now once German nationals were now living under the rule of a different country, the Saar had rich coalfields, West Prussia had extremely fertile land and Danzig was relied heavily upon for German trade. All the land lost would result in a severe economic problem for Germany in the long term as now 12% of its workforce was not under its control.
Another reason Germans felt the treaty was unfair was because how weak Germany would become. Arguably the strongest power prior the war, Germany was facing near-destruction if France had got its way. However, they did face severe reparations on their defences. The Rhineland was de-militarised; with the League of Nations stationed there for 15 years. This left Germany vulnerable to