The Impact of the Treaty of Versailles on the German People

The author of extract B gives the impression that the Treaty of Versailles resulted in a lack of trust in the government's decision-making. The author highlights the "real damage" as being the disillusionment of more moderate men who may have otherwise supported the new republic. This suggests that the government lost the support of a significant portion of the population, leading to a sense of betrayal and distrust among the people.

Effects of the Treaty of Versailles

One effect of the Treaty of Versailles was the severe limitation placed on the size of the German army. With a maximum of only 100,000 soldiers, the German army was limited to internal use only, effectively preventing the country from engaging in any acts of aggression. This restriction also made it challenging for the government to control its people, as evidenced by the Spartacist uprising in 1919, which required the intervention of the Freikorps, a paramilitary group.

Additionally, Germany suffered significant territorial losses, including the forfeiture of 10% of its population and all 11 of its colonies. This loss made it difficult for Germany to engage in international trade, as it struggled to produce enough goods for export. The example of the Saar, which was held by the League of Nations for 15 years with its coal given to France, further compounded Germany's economic challenges. These losses made it increasingly challenging for Germany to meet the reparation payments of 136 million marks, leading to inflation and the devaluation of the currency. The government's response of printing more money ultimately led to the introduction of a new currency in Germany.

In conclusion, the Treaty of Versailles had a profound impact on the German people, leading to widespread disillusionment and economic hardship. The severe limitations and territorial losses imposed by the treaty significantly hampered Germany's ability to recover from the devastation of World War I, ultimately contributing to the socio-economic conditions that paved the way for the rise of extremist ideologies and the outbreak of World War II.