answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Perhaps the most humiliating portion of the treaty for defeated Germany was Article 231, commonly known as the "War Guilt Clause," which forced the German nation to accept complete responsibility for initiating World War I. As such Germany was liable for all material damages, and France's premier Georges Clemenceau particularly insisted on imposing enormous reparation payments. This was a staggering amount of money.

User Avatar

Wiki User

7y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

7y ago

Perhaps the most humiliating portion of the treaty for defeated Germany was Article 231, commonly known as the "War Guilt Clause," which forced the German nation to accept complete responsibility for initiating World War I. As such Germany was liable for all material damages, and France's premier Georges Clemenceau particularly insisted on imposing enormous reparation payments. Aware that Germany would probably not be able to pay such a towering debt, Clemenceau and the French nevertheless greatly feared rapid German recovery and the initiation of a new war against France. Hence, the French sought in the postwar treaty to limit Germany's potential to regain its economic superiority and to rearm. The German army was to be limited to 100,000 men, and conscription proscribed; the treaty restricted the Navy to vessels under 10,000 tons, with a ban on the acquisition or maintenance of a submarine fleet. ~from the Holocaust Encyclopedia~

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Which was the worst punishment faced by Germany in the treaty of Versailles?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about General History

List three problems faced by weimar republic?

three problems faced by the weimar republic was the treaty of Versailles, inflation and defeat.


Two provisions of the treaty of Versailles treaty relate to Germany?

In fact, majority of the articles of the Versailles treaty relate to Germany. One important thing to remember is that there were no German representatives allowed into the committee deciding upon the terms of the treaty. Two of the most prominent articles relating to Germany are Article 43 and Article 231. Article 43 demands that in a certain are designated in Germany (the Rhine), the creation and training of armed forces are forbidden. This is prominent because this leaves France safe from German forces and also leaves Germany with its hands tied behind its back and other countries deciding what to do with the affairs within the country. This is very representative of the severe oppression Germany faced in the treaty. Article 231, the most important, demands that "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". This article makes Germany the scapegoat of all the destruction the war caused. This, going on with the previous point, also serves as an act of oppression to Germany.


How did Hitler think about the Treaty of Versailles?

The first reason as to why Hitler did not like the Treaty of Versailles was because he saw it as a disgrace to the German people. In Hitler's view, it was an embarrassment to the country, suffering the consequences of the decisions made by politicians. He blamed the German politicians for the signing of the treaty, believing that Germany could have avoided its current situation. In his biography, Mein Kampf, written by Hitler during his time spent in prison, he called it "the greatest villainy of the century", and he called the German politicians who signed it "miserable and degenerate criminals". The treaty of Versailles was also the reason why German faced a lot of hardships during that time. It was the treaty in the first place that caused hyperinflation and that forced the country into bankruptcy. It took Germanys land, its industry and most of its military, which added to the humiliation. This affected many of the Germany people, making daily life a struggle. But one of the main reasons of Hitler's hatred of the treaty of Versailles was because it meant that many of the efforts of Germany in World War One were wasted. Hitler had previously served in the Bavarian Infantry regiment in the First World War, and narrowly surviving a gas attack. So to him, his time spent fighting, and the injuries he suffered from it were pointless. In his biography he states that, "And so it had all been in vain. In vain all the sacrifices and privations, in vain the hours in which, with mortal fear clutching at our hearts, we nevertheless did our duty; and in vain the death of two millions who died." However, it was because of the Treaty of Versailles that Adolf Hitler came in to power. He took advantage of effects that the Treaty brought to Germany and used the fear of the Public to rise to power. Promising a better Germany compared to the economically wrecked country as the current time. Hitler may be very expressive about his hatred towards it, but without it, he would not have gotten to the position that he did.


What were some of the serious problems Germany faced after reunification?

During World War 1 Germany was forced to sign the treaty of Versailles which limited import and export to the Germans. Germany and Italy lost a lot of land during the first world war and fell upon hard times economically.


Why was the war guilt clause unfair?

The treaty of Versailles had many negative impacts on most of the countries that it involved. There were many ethnical minorities within the new boundaries that the treaty created, as well, the boundaries made industry a lot different for most countries. The most impactful part of the treaty was the War Guilt Clause, which blamed the Germans for starting the war. When the German politicians signed the clause, the German people would never forgive them. The civilians' angst against the government in Germany made it so that the fascist Nazis came into power.The treaty of Versailles included points dealing with German economy, military, and citizens. Since the treaty was made by Germany's enemies, every point was in disfavour of Germany, and every point hurt its pride. Most of the points relating to the military were damaging to Germany's pride; they had to hand over all of their ships to Britain that they had laboured over for the past decade or two. Germany felt vulnerable because of the Rhineland being demilitarized and their tiny army. The economic points were both humiliating and impossible to meet. Germany had to pay 6 000 000 000 Pounds in reparations to France and Belgium, and insanely impractical price to meet by anybody's standards. Additionally, France was allowed to occupy the Saar coal region for 15 years. Everybody in Germany was humiliated at the loss of their colonies as well. Versailles brought out creations of new countries according to Wilson's 4th point, and areas of the losing countries to go to the winning countries (most of which, were the African and Pacific colonies). There were German minorities in the new countries of Poland and Czechoslovakia, creating tension within the new nations. Many Austrians felt closely tied to Germany, but were forbidden to have a friendship by Anschluss, creating even more hard feelings. Germany lost Alsace-Lorraine to France, Eupen-Malmedy to Belgium, North Schleswig to Denmark, and Possen and West Prussia to Poland; all of these territorial losses humiliated the Germans. These many losses made Germany unable to recover from the long war of attrition, contributing to the poverty faced by Germany in the 1920's, which consequentially contributed to the rejection of the democratic government. The most hated part of the treaty of Versailles was the War Guilt Clause, stating that Germany was responsible for the war. The leader of Germany had to sign the treaty, or face further attacks by the allies. The treaty was so disgraceful that Chancellor Scheideman resigned, rather than sign it. Finally, Fredriech Ebert signed it, later to be known as one of the "November Criminals," (anybody who played a role in 'selling out' Germany or anybody who benefitted from the Weimar Republic) for signing it. The German public didn't really understand that the government was forced to sign it; they felt as though the government was stabbing them in the backs. Thus, not only did the Germans feel discontent towards other nations, it also had unrest from within. The Weimar Republic was doomed to failure because the first act of the government was 'selling out' Germany. The humiliation and anger caused by the treaty of Versailles led to the regression of democracy, and the rise of fascism. By and large, Versailles was the first step towards the Second World War; the demands on Germany were impossible and unethical. However, the Second World War didn't have to happen. Britain and France could have listened to Wilson's points, and not have interfered with Germany's right to self determination. But, all of France wanted vengeance from the Franco-Prussian war, and France and the British public both wanted revenge for the costs and devastation of the war. The course of events weren't inevitable, but when you consider the facts that every country were imperialists, and aggressive nationalists, and Germany wanted to be as powerful as the other two great powers, and the bitterness of the costs of the war, one can hardly speculate why things went the way that they did.

Related questions

How could Hitler have ruled better?

He ruled as per the people of Germany. after the humiliation faced by in treaty of Versailles. Germany lost all her colonies and she was splint into two pieces by the establishment of polish corridor.hitler developed Germany. he tried to unify Germany


What problems did France's foreign policy face after the Versailles Treaty?

France as well as many other European nations faced problems following the signing of the Versailles Treaty. Their policy was almost completely defeated because of the restrictions placed on it.


List three problems faced by weimar republic?

three problems faced by the weimar republic was the treaty of Versailles, inflation and defeat.


Why did Wiemar republic face severe problems?

The Wiemar Republic in Germany faced many problems. One was the economic effect of paying the allies war reparations. Another severe problem was the growth of non democratic extremist groups such as the Nazi's and the communists. The German people believed they were humiliated by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and the democratic forces in Germany had no satisfactory answers to that,


Two provisions of the treaty of Versailles treaty relate to Germany?

In fact, majority of the articles of the Versailles treaty relate to Germany. One important thing to remember is that there were no German representatives allowed into the committee deciding upon the terms of the treaty. Two of the most prominent articles relating to Germany are Article 43 and Article 231. Article 43 demands that in a certain are designated in Germany (the Rhine), the creation and training of armed forces are forbidden. This is prominent because this leaves France safe from German forces and also leaves Germany with its hands tied behind its back and other countries deciding what to do with the affairs within the country. This is very representative of the severe oppression Germany faced in the treaty. Article 231, the most important, demands that "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". This article makes Germany the scapegoat of all the destruction the war caused. This, going on with the previous point, also serves as an act of oppression to Germany.


How did Hitler think about the Treaty of Versailles?

The first reason as to why Hitler did not like the Treaty of Versailles was because he saw it as a disgrace to the German people. In Hitler's view, it was an embarrassment to the country, suffering the consequences of the decisions made by politicians. He blamed the German politicians for the signing of the treaty, believing that Germany could have avoided its current situation. In his biography, Mein Kampf, written by Hitler during his time spent in prison, he called it "the greatest villainy of the century", and he called the German politicians who signed it "miserable and degenerate criminals". The treaty of Versailles was also the reason why German faced a lot of hardships during that time. It was the treaty in the first place that caused hyperinflation and that forced the country into bankruptcy. It took Germanys land, its industry and most of its military, which added to the humiliation. This affected many of the Germany people, making daily life a struggle. But one of the main reasons of Hitler's hatred of the treaty of Versailles was because it meant that many of the efforts of Germany in World War One were wasted. Hitler had previously served in the Bavarian Infantry regiment in the First World War, and narrowly surviving a gas attack. So to him, his time spent fighting, and the injuries he suffered from it were pointless. In his biography he states that, "And so it had all been in vain. In vain all the sacrifices and privations, in vain the hours in which, with mortal fear clutching at our hearts, we nevertheless did our duty; and in vain the death of two millions who died." However, it was because of the Treaty of Versailles that Adolf Hitler came in to power. He took advantage of effects that the Treaty brought to Germany and used the fear of the Public to rise to power. Promising a better Germany compared to the economically wrecked country as the current time. Hitler may be very expressive about his hatred towards it, but without it, he would not have gotten to the position that he did.


What were the challenges puritans faced?

harsh laws and punishment


What challenges did the colonist faced after the treaty of Paris?

They had to make a deal with Britain


What were some of the serious problems Germany faced after reunification?

During World War 1 Germany was forced to sign the treaty of Versailles which limited import and export to the Germans. Germany and Italy lost a lot of land during the first world war and fell upon hard times economically.


What were germanys problems after World War 1?

Germany had many problems such as they had to sign a contract called the Treaty of Versailles which meant they had to say they were responsible for starting the war they also had to give up half of their land , they had to sink all their battle ships, the size of their military was reduced to 100,000 men and finally Germany had to pay war reparations the the countries in the League of Nations. Germany also faced poverty due to the reparations. In order to pay off their large reparations payment they just printed more marks and this was a direct result of the inflation which was partial reason for the Great Depression that followed through out Europe and the US.


Why was the Rhineland important?

The Rhineland, that is the area of Germany between the Rhine river & the Holland, Belgium, French border was designated to be occupied by allied forces after WW1. They were supposed to be there until 1935 but were withdrawn in 1930. It was to be a demilitarised buffer zone. General Guderian was quoted after the war (WW2) that Germany would have been powerless to oppose an allied intervention when Hitler marched a couple of divisions in, & the likelyhood would have been the removal of Hitler as chancellor at that time ! Hindsight is such a wonderful attribute !


How did Germany overcome the problems that faced it after World War 1?

n