One main motive was to make Germany pay for all the damage and destruction:
• All countries which fought except America were exhausted
• The economies and industries of these countries were in a bad state
• Total British and French casualties were over 9 million
• Civilians had faced shortages of food and medicine
• Villages and towns in large area of Belgium and France had been devastated
Another motive to make the treaty harsh was because of how harsh the Germans were in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk against Russia. The treaty stripped large parts of land and 25% of population. This suggested the evil ambitions of the German regime if they had won.
Views of leaders at Paris Peace conference (1919)
George Clemenceau of France:
Hard, touch uncompromisable person who has witnessed country being invaded twice by Germany. 2/3 of his army dead or injured and Land and industry suffering more than Germany. Population of country on steep decline. He wanted Germany to be so weak that they could not attack France again.
Woodrow Wilson of USA:
Wanted to punish Germany but avoid further wars. America joined towards end of war and didn’t suffer much due to its large size. Scared for Germany’s revenge.
David Lloyd George of Britain:
Realist with similar views to USA. Was the middle ground between France and USA. Damaged in the war but didn’t want another war and wanted to trade with Germany (was second largest trading partner). He wanted Germany to lose its navy and colonies because it was seen as a threat to the British Empire.
Terms of the agreed treaty of Versailles
Opinions
Germany hated it. Especially as they were not allowed to negotiate. They lost:
• 10% of Land
• All overseas colonies
• 12.5% of population
• 16% of coalfields
• 50% of iron and steel industry
Germany’s army was too small for its size and the army was a symbol of German pride.
Loss of territory was bad for pride and economy. Saar and Upper Silesia were important industrial areas. While Germany was losing land, Britain and France were gaining land.
Britain generally hated it. Disliked point 2 of 14 points, allowing free access to the seas. People ruling themselves was a seen as a threat to Britain considering that the British Empire ruled millions of people across the world.
Impact on Germany
Kapp Putsch Revolution - Ebert’s right wing opponents attempted a revolution against Ebert for signing the treaty. The revolution was defeated by a general strike which paralysed essential services such as power and transport.
Fell back in reparations (1922) - In 1923, Belgian and French soldiers entered the Ruhr region and took the amount owed in raw materials. Ebert responded to this by ordering workers to strike so that raw materials were not being produced to be taken. The French then killed 100 workers and expelled 100,000 protestors. The strike also meant that Germany had no goods to trade and no money to buy things with.
Hyper inflation- The government simply printed more money which led to the money being worthless so prices increased dramatically. Wages were collected in wheelbarrows and people were paid daily as opposed to weekly.