This extra credit opportunity is worth 2 points of extra credit PER question on your Unit 6 Test.
The Treaty of Versailles was led by the Big Four - United States, Great Britain, France, and Italy. Germany and the Central Powers were not invited to participate in the peace talks. Every nation came to the conference with different needs and expectations. Great Britain and France who had suffered great losses at the hands of the Germans wanted them to pay back a fair price for the damage they had caused. They sought this in the acquisition of colonies, land grants, and reparations. Directions: Read Document A and B and answer the questions provided. Document A - Germany's Response to the Treaty of Versailles We were aghast when we read in documents the demands made upon us, the victorious violence of our enemies. The more deeply we penetrate into the spirit of this treaty, the more convinced we become of the impossibility of carrying it out. The extractions of this treaty are more than the German people can bear. ...Germany, thus cut in pieces and weakened, must declare herself reading in principle to bear all the war expenses of her enemies, which we would exceed many times over the total amount of German State and private assets... Thus must a whole people sign the decree for... its own death sentence. Source: "Leader of the German Peace Delegation, Count Von Brockdorff-Rantzau's Letter to Paris Peace Conference, President Georges Clemenecau on the Subject of Peace Terms, May 1919. Document B - Treaty of Versailles As part payment towards the total reparation due from Germany for the damage resulting from the war, Germany cedes to France... the coal mines situated in the region of Alsace-Lorraine. The territories were ceded to Germany in 1871... are restored to French sovereignty... Germany renounces in favor of the Principal Allied and Associated Powers all her rights and titles over her overseas possessions... Germany renounces, in favor of Japan, all her rights, title and privileges... which she acquired in virtue of the Treaty concluded by her with China on March 6, 1898... The German military forces shall be demobilized and reduced... The Allied and Associated Governments recognize that the resources of Germany are not adequate... to make complete reparation for all... loss and damage. The Allied and Associated Governments, however, require, and Germany undertakes, that she will make compensation for all damage done to the civilian population of the Allied and Associated Powers and to their property during the period of the belligerency of each as an Allied or Associated Power against Germany. Source: Treaty of Versaille, June 28, 1919. Analysis Questions 1. What was the German reaction to the Treaty of Versailles? Do the Allied Powers recognize this reaction as legitimate (see the last two paragraphs of the Treaty of Versailles)? 2. What does the Treaty of Versailles require Germany to do? What does Germany believe will happen if the treaty is ratified?
12 Comments
|
Extra CreditStudents may receive extra credit by responding to and commenting on blog posts and comments on this page. Students must adhere to the following guidelines in order to receive credit. Categories
All
|