Vocabulary Definitions:

Treaty of Versailles: The peace treaty signed in 1919 that officially ended World War I, imposing heavy penalties and restrictions on Germany.

Reparations: Payments demanded from Germany to compensate for damages caused during the war.

War Guilt Clause: A part of the Treaty that placed full responsibility for the war on Germany.

Lebensraum: The idea of acquiring more territory for Germany to provide living space for its people.

Demilitarisation: The reduction or banning of military forces and weapons in certain areas.

Loss of Territory: The ceding of German land to other countries, such as Alsace-Lorraine to France.

Impact on Germany: The economic hardship, political instability, and national humiliation caused by the Treaty.

Perspective: A way of looking at or interpreting the effects of the Treaty, which can vary between different groups or individuals.

Long-term Consequences: The effects of the Treaty that influenced Germany’s politics and society in the years following 1919.

Questions:

1. **Define the term

Explain what the 'War Guilt Clause' was and why it was significant for Germany.

Source: The Treaty of Versailles explicitly stated that Germany was responsible for starting the war.

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2. Compare the terms of reparations demanded from Germany with the economic conditions in Germany after 1918.

Source: Many Germans believed reparations were unfair and impossible to pay.

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3. Outline the main territorial changes imposed on Germany by the Treaty.

Source: Germany lost Alsace-Lorraine to France and other territories to Belgium and Denmark.

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4. Explain how the Treaty of Versailles contributed to political instability in the Weimar Republic.

Source: The treaty caused widespread resentment and unrest among Germans.

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5. Compare different perspectives on whether the Treaty was a fair peace settlement.

Source: Some viewed it as a necessary punishment, others as a humiliating and unfair diktat.

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6. Analyse the long-term effects of the Treaty on Germany’s economy.

Source: Reparations and territorial losses strained Germany’s finances.

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7. Write a brief explanation of why many Germans viewed the Treaty of Versailles as a 'Diktat'.

Source: The treaty was imposed without negotiations, leading to feelings of betrayal.

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8. Explain the concept of 'Lebensraum' and how it influenced German foreign policy following the Treaty.

Source: The idea was used to justify expansion eastward.

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9. Compare the perspectives of different groups in Germany regarding the Treaty.

Source: Some politicians supported the Treaty, while many soldiers and civilians saw it as a national humiliation.

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10. Analyse how the Treaty of Versailles contributed to the rise of extremism in Germany.

Source: Resentment and economic hardship helped extremist parties gain support.

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