Twentieth Century History

Twentieth Century History Unit 1 Worksheet 5

Source A

The Allied response to the German government’s protest that the Treaty of Versailles was too harsh, 16 June 1919 In the view of the Allied and Associated Powers, the war which began on 1 August 1914, was the greatest crime against humanity and the freedom of peoples that any nation calling itself civilised has ever consciously committed...The conduct of Germany is almost unexampled in German history. The terrible responsibility which lies at her door can be seen in the fact that not less than seven million dead lie buried in Europe, while more than twenty million others carry upon themselves the evidence of wounds and sufferings because Germany saw fit to gratify her lust by resort to war.

It is said that the German revolution ought to make a difference and that the German people are not responsible for the policy of the rulers whom they have thrown from power.

The Allied and Associated Powers recognise and welcome the change. But it cannot affect the settlement itself. Throughout the war, the German people supported the war, subscribed the war loans, and obeyed every order, however savage, of their government, for at any moment they could have reversed it. They cannot now pretend, having changed their rulers after the war was lost, that it is justice that they should escape the consequences of their deeds.

A.Lockau, The German Delegation at the Paris Peace Conference, 1941, p.415

Editorial from the German newspaper Deutsche Zeitung, 28 June 1919 Vengeance German Nation! Today in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles the disgraceful treaty is being signed. Do not forget it. In the place where in the glorious year of 1871 the German Empire in all its origin had its origin, German honour is being carried into its grave. Do not forget it! The German people will with unceasing labour press forward to reconquer the place among nations to which it is entitled. Then will come the vengeance for the shame of 1919.

K.S. Pinson, Modern Germany, Macmillan, London, 1966, p.398

1. List two main points that the Allied powers made in Source A that would have upset the Germans.

2. Explain why the Allies persisted with their determination to punish Germany after 1918, despite the fact that Germany was now a democracy.

3. Explain the reference in Source B to the “glorious year of 1871.”

4. What is Source B suggesting will happen in the future?