In 1919 Paris peace conference, many treaties were made between allied nations and defeated nations in which the treaty of Versailles was very important. This treaty was made between Germany and allied nations. Germany became economically weak and militarily decimated by this treaty.
The harsh provisions of this treaty hit the existence of Germany hard in the following ways :
- Germany had to give Alsace and Lorraine provinces to France.
- After 15 years of harnessing the ‘Sir Canyon’, Germany gave this mineral-rich region to France.
- Referendum was taken in German territory ‘Schelswig’. According to that Schelswig was given to Denmark.
- Germany had to leave Danzig harbour under League of Nations’ control and also gave its all the rights to allied nations.
- Compulsory military service in Germany ended and it was prohibited from doing fortification. Its air force was grounded.
- Germany’s powers were greatly limited and they were ordered to pay an additional sum of 5 billion dollars to be given as compensation in 1921.
- Germany had to take the responsibility of the destruction in first World War. Thus the treaty of Versailles was very insulting in which Germany lost its all honour and dignity. After taking over its economic resources Germany was bound to repay the amount of indemenity which was inappropriate. But it cannot be denied that Germany was itself responsible for this situation.
