How Did The Treaty Of Versailles Affect Germany

The Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty signed by Germany and the Allied Powers on June 28, 1919 to bring peace to the nations and end World War I. Germany was forced to follow the specific requirements that were arranged in the Treaty of Versailles. Germany was greatly affected by the treaty and its requirements. The Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to give up all its land and take responsibility for the cause of WWI; it also prompted an economic downfall, a weakened government in Germany, and a size restricted army. Germany’s military was greatly weakened by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. The treaty required the size of the army to not exceed one hundred thousand men. Also, Germany wasn’t allowed to have submarines or aero
They had to return Alsace-Lorraine and the Saar back to France, the Hultschin district to Czechoslovakia and Eupen-Malmedy to Belgium. Poland was also given back parts of Upper Silesia and East Prussia. Germany’s army in the Rhineland also had to be moved out. Again, this was designed to keep Germany weak by lowering the amount of land it had. In the end, Germany lost Germany lost ten percent of its land, twelve percent of its population, sixteen percent of its coal-fields and half its iron and steel industry. French Prime Minister stated, “A smaller country would be less of a problem” (Clemenceau). This shows how people were worried that Germany would try and attack again, so they limited their power in hopes of stopping them from using military force. President Wilson also called for Germany to give up its land in his Fourteen Points, which we know was the base of what the Treaty of Versailles was created on. He states, “All French territory should be freed and the invaded portions restored…” (Wilson). This shows that everyone wanted to weaken Germany and prevent another war. It also shows how important Wilson’s point was about Germany giving up all its land because although Wilson’s Fourteen Points were not accepted, some of his important points were put into the treaty. The loss of their land obviously angered many Germans and left them a reason to get revenge on the Allied
The treaty created the War Guilt Cause that states, "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" (War Guilt Clause). Many Germans were angered by the fact that they were being blamed for something that all countries had an equal role in. This is just another reason on why the Germans wanted to get revenge after being humiliated by the Allied Powers. Lastly, the Treaty of Versailles deeply weakened the government. No party was in control of Germany after World War I and there was fighting over the control of Germany between differing parties for about four years. Hitler eventually took power over Germany in 1933 and his radical views spread throughout Germany. World War II started after Hitler invaded Poland. It can be argued that without the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler never would have risen to power and the Second World War never would have taken