Transcript Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of
Versailles
Unit 2 Notes
SS6H7 The student will explain conflict and change in Europe to the 21st
century
a. Describe major developments following World War I: the Russian
Revolution, the Treaty of Versailles, worldwide depression, and the rise of
Nazism
Discuss the question with your group:
What was World
War I?
The World After WWI
World War I had a profound effect on world history
Europe suffered terrible destruction
Nearly 22 million soldiers and civilians died
The results of this conflict ultimately led to economic
crises, radical changes in government, and a decline in
the power of many European countries.
In November 1918 Germany surrenders to the Allied countries. The most
powerful ones, being France, USA and Britain, wanted to create a treaty
that punished Germany for starting WWI.
BUT WHAT SHOULD THEY DO?
Allied countries could not agree on what the
treaty should include, but...
They could agree on where it should take place:
A French palace in a city called Versailles (near
Paris, France)
In 1919, leaders from countries involved in the war
met here to write a treaty
Treaty outlined the terms of the winners and what
they expected of the losing country
“SIGN THE TREATY
OR WE WILL INVADE
YOU……ITS YOUR
CHOICE!”
FRANCE
USA
BRITAIN
The treaty was dictated to Germany-they did not have a say in it.
WAR GUILT
PAY REPARATIONS
Germany had to accept the
blame for starting the war
Germany had to pay $33 billion
dollars.
What did the
Treaty of
Versailles do?
Disarm Germany’s Military
GERMAN LAND GIVEN AWAY
The Army was cut to just 100,000 men,
the Navy could only have 6 battleships,
and they were not allowed to build any
new planes, tanks, or submarines.
Germany had to give up its colonies
and a bunch of land
Land taken away from Germany under the treaty of Versailles
Not only did Germany lose about 10% of its land, it also consequently lost 10%
of its population. German people were now living in foreign countries.
Excerpt from a German newspaper on the day the
treaty was signed...
“Today in the Hall of Mirrors of
Versailles the disgraceful Treaty is
being signed.
Do not forget it. The German
people will press forward to
reconquer the place among
nations to which we deserve.
Then will come revenge for the
shame of 1919.”
Germany was a proud country due to its military
strength and strong traditions of dominance within
that area of Europe. However, the treaty of Versailles
created different feelings:
The war had left
Germany almost
bankrupt. As its
people starved and
the country lay in
chaos, the Allies gave
them a bill (Treaty of
Versailles) that they
simply could not
afford to pay...
German money was only
good for starting fires…
The Treaty of
Versailles caused
Germany to go
through a depression
a time when
businesses and
people lost a lot of
money
Germany wasn’t the only country who suffered
In the 1930s, countries around the world fell into a
worldwide economic depression
WHY?...
People who could not find jobs joined the
Communist and National Socialist parties.
The National Socialist Party’s leader, Adolf
Hitler, was gaining more and more power
They were also mad
because the treaty
said that Germany
alone caused WWI.
Many Germans
wanted revenge
As more and more Germans
became poor and angry,
more and more began
joining the National Socialist
Party.
Before long, the party is very
large and it’s leader, Adolph
Hitler becomes very
powerful.
They also change the name
of the party to the Nazi
Party
The Debt is Paid
In September 2010, Germany made the last
reparation payment owed as a result of the
Treaty of Versailles
Listen to the National Public Radio story that
reported the event
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130232809
Your Task
1. List four restrictions that the Treaty of
Versailles put on Germany
2. How did Germans feel about this treaty?
3. Using the Y-chart, select one of the major
participants in WWI (Great Britain, Germany,
the United States, Italy, or Russia) and organize
your arguments about how the terms of the
treaty should benefit your country
Your Task
1. You have the opportunity to interview
someone who lived through the Great
Depression. Write at least 5 question you
would ask to find out what life was like
during that time.
2. Compare and contrast the Great
Depression with the “Great Recession”
that began in 2008. Use a thinking map.
Credits
Modified from a presentation originally
retrieved from www.Slideshare.net
http://www.brainpop.com
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?
storyId=130232809
Georgia Experience, Carole Marsh/Gallopade
International, www.gallopade.com