First World War, which began in 1914, ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 26, 1919.The hostilities took part in almost 40 countries, and that two-thirds of the entire planet.Human sacrifices were huge - about 36 million dead.
Treaty of Versailles sealed the victory for the documentary Entente: France, Britain, Russia and so on.. After a lost war Germany with its economy was in a deep depression.The country has lost part of its territory, and suffered heavy casualties.
annexed land
Historically, that has always defeated paying for their mistakes.Thus the signing of any documents brings any sanctions.What are the implications of the Treaty of Versailles for Germany prepared the victorious?
In accordance with the document of the land of Lorraine and Alsace, passed to France, Western Pomerania, Poznan and Upper Silesia - to Poland, Memel - to Lithuania and Schleswig - to Denmark.
For long 15 years, Germany had to go without their Saar coal basin.On this vast annexed territory, the total area of which there are about 70 thousand square meters.km and a population of about 7 million. man, was a large part of the resources that are desperately needed for recovery of the German economy.These lands are significant reserves of coal and iron ore, and zinc were located and metallurgical plants.
Restrictions on arms
is now all know what the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles.And no matter how they were heavy in Germany, she somehow managed to keep its main socio-economic base of militarism, which has remained almost untouched.In addition, the Germans left the bulk of their armed forces.
Thus, the Treaty of Versailles permitted Germany to have a maritime fleet of 12 destroyers, 6 battleships, 12 kontrminonostsev, 6 light cruisers.As for land forces, their number should not exceed 100 thousand. People, while the number of officers has been sharply reduced.There was a ban on the release of sophisticated military equipment, which includes aircraft, tanks and armored cars.
Reparations
Besides restrictions on weapons and annexed territories, what are the implications of the Treaty of Versailles for Germany?According to the document the losing side of the war had to pay a considerable amount of the victorious 132 billion gold marks, which corresponds to 33 billion dollars.
question of reparations was discussed at the London Conference, more than once, since May 1921.The fact that the German Government has requested to postpone the debt repayment period of 5 years.In this he was supported by the UK.The British even promised France to cancel them all the war debts in return for a simplified decision on the postponement of the German payments.But Paris has refused this proposal.The delegation headed by Jean L. Barth said that the position of his country Reparations much more than the debt of France to Britain.
Some states that have signed the Treaty of Versailles, were afraid that the payment obligations remain only on paper.Therefore, the French delegation demanded to give her assurance that the repair will be made by the German side.Therefore, as a pledge of Paris offered to give him the right to operate and temporary confiscation of German mines in the Ruhr.In addition, they also wanted to get dyeing factory, located on the left bank of the Rhine, and a number of other enterprises.The occupation of the Ruhr
I must say that the United States tried to find a compromise on the issue of reparations between Germany and France.They even offered to create a special committee, which would include the independent financial experts.These specialists should have made an assessment of solvency of Germany.But Reparations Commission did not wait for the conclusions of experts.At the end of December 1922, she took a vote, and its follow-up issued a ruling that Germany has not fulfilled its obligation to pay, and as a result, defaulted in Germany.For this decision voted in France, Italy and Belgium.This was opposed by the United Kingdom only.In this situation, the conditions of the Treaty of Versailles gave the right to the French occupation of the Rhineland.
In January 1923, the Belgian and French troops entered the territory of the Ruhr.Italy also formally endorsed the occupation, but actually participating in it did not take.Ruhr, as the most developed industrial part of the country was removed from the jurisdiction of Germany.This area was cut off from the rest of the German economy and has lost all its contractual and operational ties with it.
economic decline
What are the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles, which led to the occupation of the Rhineland?I must say that this event has provoked an unprecedented crisis in Germany.The national German currency collapsed overnight, and debt completely worthless.The country has widened the panic that swept both the poorest segments of the population and the middle class.
That here and there carried out acts of civil disobedience, then grew into mass demonstrations against the government and the intervention of foreign countries.In the late summer of 1923 the economic crisis led to the resignation of the government headed by Wilhelm Cuno.Politicians began to talk about a new round of the revolutionary movement.
Germany's postwar policies
former allies, not come together in agreement about the Rhineland, began to quarrel among themselves.Imperialist Germany used these divisive in their favor.She then negotiated with one or the other, all the while deceiving.As a result, he left the world of Versailles almost the entire military might of the country, which was considered defeated.And while the Allies were engaged in intrigues, Germany build up strength for a new and more powerful blow.
negative political consequences of the Treaty of Versailles concluded that the differences between all partners to deepen.This was particularly noticeable in the relationship of Britain and France, Japan and the United States.In addition, rapidly intensifying the contradictions between two different systems - the socialist and capitalist.The agreement, signed in Versailles, was intended to end the war, but in the end made her a constant threat hanging over the world.
