The War Guilt Clause
"Perhaps the single greatest cause of World War II was born out of the Peace Treaty that ended World War I: the War guild clause."
- Had to get Germany to admit that they started the war themselves
- They take the reparations
- However, the guilt clause angered Germany
- They take the reparations
- However, the guilt clause angered Germany
Results of the treaty of versailles
- Germany accepting War Guilt Clause
- Alsace-Lorraine returned to France
- Poland given a strip of German land (split Germany in half)
- Colonies surrendered to League of Nations
- 100,000 man limit on the army
- No navy/air force
- Loss of merchant fleet
- Demilitarized the Rhineland
- Unification of Austria and Germany was FORBIDDEN
- Alsace-Lorraine returned to France
- Poland given a strip of German land (split Germany in half)
- Colonies surrendered to League of Nations
- 100,000 man limit on the army
- No navy/air force
- Loss of merchant fleet
- Demilitarized the Rhineland
- Unification of Austria and Germany was FORBIDDEN
Summary
The War Guilt Clause was the one thing that the Germans hated the most. On top of paying the reparations, with interest, Germany had to completely admit that it was their fault for the war and they started it. Of course this angered Germany, but they still said it.
