World War I
The Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was ratified by the government of Germany on June 28, 1919. Even though German officials strongly objected to the terms, they had to accept and sign the treaty. It went into effect January 10, 1920. Actual combat had ended when Germany accepted an armistice on November 11, 1918. This treaty was the treaty that ended World War I. It was signed in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles near Paris. The negotiations for the treaty of Versailles began five months earlier on January 18, 1919. The U.S. , Great Britain, France, Italy and Japan were represented at the conference. China never signed the treaty. The U.S. Senate did not ratify the agreement but 2 years later on July 2, 1921, they signed a separate treaty called the Treaty of Berlin in Germany.
The Treaty provided the reorganization of the boundaries and certain territories of European nations and areas they controlled in Africa, Asia and the Pacific ocean islands. It also created several new international organizations, including the League of Nations and the Permanent Court of International Justice. In addition the treaty provided a system for administering the former colonies of the defeated countries.
The Treaty of Versailles was very harsh on Germany militarily. According to the treaty, Germany was required to abolish compulsory military service, bring its army down to 100,000 people, demilitarize all the territory on the banks of the Rhine River, stop nearly all war materials production (also the importation and exportation of war materials).
Germany’s navy was also limited. Its navy was allowed no submarines and a limit of 24 ships. The personnel of the navy was limited. No more than 15,000 people were permitted. Germany was also told to abandon all military and naval aviation by October 1, 1919. Although the trial never took place, Germany agreed to put former emperor William II on trial in an international court. He was charged with “a supreme offense against international morality”
Germany was required to make extensive financial repairs for their damages. These damages were quite costly. To make up the amount , Germany had to give the Allies coal, livestock, ships, timber and other resources, plus cash payments. The collection of the payment was difficult. The situation was not settled until later in 1932.
Germany was required to denounce the treaties of Brest-Litovsk and Bucharest. It recognized Belgium, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Austria’s sovereignty. In addition it lost about 13 percent of its European domain (71,000 square kilometers). Germany also lost its entire colonial empire.
Of the territory lost, Alsace-Lorraine was returned to France and Belgium received the districts of Eupen-et-Malmedy and Moresnet. Northern Schleswig, which was 3981 square kilometres, was reunited with Denmark. Central Schleswig remained with Germany. Large sections of the provinces of Posen and West Prussia were given to Poland. A portion of Upper Silesia (now the Czech Republic) was handed over to Czecholslovakia in 1920. Ports were also given away. The port of Memel, along with additional territory was transferred to Lithuania. The port of Danzig (now Gdansk) was ceded to the principal Allied and associate powers. They recognized it as a free city administered under the League of Nations, but customs and foreign relations were subject to Polish jurisdiction.
A School Link Article. Courtesy of Alicia Glanville, LCCHS, March 12, 1999 .
