The Impact of the Treaty of Versailles on the Republic | History for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Germany's Reaction to the Treaty of Versailles - Summary

• The Treaty of Versailles is often considered one of the most hated treaties in history because every signing country was profoundly dissatisfied with the outcome. The ‘Big Three’—Britain, France, and the USA—met at the Palace of Versailles in January 1919 with differing goals.
• The significant differences in opinion among the Allies explain why the final agreement displeased everyone and became controversial. Germany was excluded from the peace talks in January 1919, and although the Weimar Republic had no choice but to sign the treaty, its terms enraged the German public. This resentment persisted into the 1930s, with Hitler exploiting this anger to gain popular support.

The Terms of the Treaty of Versailles

The Military Terms of the Treaty of Versailles

The Territorial Terms of the Treaty of Versailles

The Political and Economic Terms of the Treaty of Versailles

Why was the Treaty of Versailles Unpopular in Germany?

• Many Germans believed that the Weimar government should not have agreed to the treaty. They thought that since the Allies had not defeated the German Army in battle, the terms were unfair.
• There was a widespread belief in Germany that German politicians had betrayed the nation by surrendering. This perception of betrayal was expressed through the term "dolchstoss" or "stab in the back".
• The populace felt deceived by the Weimar government regarding the true nature of the surrender to the Allies.
• Those who signed the Treaty of Versailles were dubbed "November Criminals" as the armistice was signed in November. Many Germans equated accepting the treaty with committing a crime against Germany.
• The treaty's stringent terms devastated Germany's economy, leading to financial ruin.
• The Allies aimed to cripple Germany's ability to wage war by imposing hefty reparations. This economic strain portrayed the Weimar government as feeble.
• Germany struggled to meet its reparation obligations, which escalated into a crisis by 1923.
• The treaty's humiliating terms made Germans feel inferior to other European nations. This sense of national humiliation fueled support for extremist political groups.
• Various radical factions, like Hitler's Nazi Party, capitalized on anti-Versailles sentiments, promising to disregard the treaty if elected.

What Does Left and Right in Politics Mean?

• Germany faced political turmoil in 1918 due to the emergence of numerous new political parties.
• The political landscape of Weimar Germany encompassed a spectrum of left-wing and right-wing ideologies.

What Does Left-Wing Mean?

• A person with left-wing views advocates for governance by the people rather than by a single individual or group.
• Extreme left-wing factions oppose the existence of a government, asserting that capitalism perpetuates inequality by enriching the wealthy and impoverishing the poor.
• Radical left-wing parties may advocate for the abolition of private ownership of businesses and property.
• Left-wing proponents believe in social mobility through merit and reject class distinctions, advocating for equality among all individuals regardless of occupation or education.
• They prioritize international cooperation for formulating optimal policies, rejecting nationalistic superiority. The pinnacle of left-wing ideology is seen in Communism.

What Does Right-Wing Mean?

• A person holding right-wing views supports:
  • Strong armed forces and an authoritative leader.
  • Businesses making significant profits and paying lower taxes.
  • The principles of capitalism.
  • The significance of the family unit and traditional values.
  • A strong sense of national pride and identity.
  • Making decisions based on national interests rather than individual or group benefits.
  • Extreme right-wing proponents typically exhibit aversion towards immigrants or individuals of different ethnicities or religions.
• The extreme end of right-wing ideology is known as Fascism.

Main Political Parties in the Weimar Republic

Spectrum of Weimar Germany's Political Parties

A diagram displaying the Weimar political parties on a spectrum of left-wing to right-wing

The Spartacist Uprising

• The Spartacist Uprising was a left-wing challenge to the Weimar Republic.
• The Spartacist League was a German Communist group.
  • The KPD supported their cause.
  • The name "Spartacist" comes from Spartacus, the leader of a slave revolt in Ancient Rome.
  • Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht led the Spartacists.
• The Weimar government dismissed Emil Eichhorn, Berlin’s police chief.
  • Eichhorn was popular among the workers.
• Luxemburg and Liebknecht used this event to start the uprising on January 4, 1919.
• By January 6, Berlin was in chaos.
  • Luxemburg and Liebknecht had called for a general strike by the workers.
  • Over 100,000 workers protested in the streets.
  • The Spartacists took control of the government’s newspaper and various telegraph offices in Berlin.
• Chancellor Ebert was uncertain about how to respond.
  • The First World War had weakened the Reichswehr.
  • There were too many protestors on the streets.
• Ebert turned to another organization to suppress the Spartacist Uprising.
  • He ordered the Reichswehr to organize Freikorps units to combat the uprising.
  • The Freikorps were extreme right-wing and hated Communists.
• The Spartacist Uprising ended on January 13, 1919.
  • The Freikorps and Reichswehr fought mainly unarmed Communist workers.
• On January 16, both Luxemburg and Liebknecht were brutally killed by the Freikorps.

Kapp Putsch

• The Kapp Putsch was an attempted takeover of the Weimar Republic by right-wing forces.
• This event posed a significant challenge to the fragile democracy of the Weimar Republic.
• It aimed to overthrow the government and establish a more authoritarian regime.

The Occupation of the Ruhr

• Following World War I, the Weimar Republic faced difficulties in meeting the reparations demanded by the Treaty of Versailles.
• As a consequence, French and Belgian troops occupied the industrial Ruhr region of Germany in 1923.
• This occupation was a response to Germany's failure to fulfill its obligations under the treaty.

Economic Crisis and Hyperinflation in Weimar Germany

• The Occupation of the Ruhr in 1923 led to a severe economic downturn in Germany.
• Hyperinflation, characterized by a rapid and uncontrollable increase in prices, ensued as a consequence.