Why was the war guilt clause unfair?

Answer 1

The treaty of Versailles had many negative impacts on most of the countries that it involved. There were many ethnical minorities within the new boundaries that the treaty created, as well, the boundaries made industry a lot different for most countries. The most impactful part of the treaty was the War Guilt Clause, which blamed the Germans for starting the war. When the German politicians signed the clause, the German people would never forgive them. The civilians' angst against the government in Germany made it so that the fascist Nazis came into power.

The treaty of Versailles included points dealing with German economy, military, and citizens. Since the treaty was made by Germany's enemies, every point was in disfavour of Germany, and every point hurt its pride. Most of the points relating to the military were damaging to Germany's pride; they had to hand over all of their ships to Britain that they had laboured over for the past decade or two. Germany felt vulnerable because of the Rhineland being demilitarized and their tiny army. The economic points were both humiliating and impossible to meet. Germany had to pay 6 000 000 000 Pounds in reparations to France and Belgium, and insanely impractical price to meet by anybody's standards. Additionally, France was allowed to occupy the Saar coal region for 15 years. Everybody in Germany was humiliated at the loss of their colonies as well. Versailles brought out creations of new countries according to Wilson's 4th point, and areas of the losing countries to go to the winning countries (most of which, were the African and Pacific colonies). There were German minorities in the new countries of Poland and Czechoslovakia, creating tension within the new nations. Many Austrians felt closely tied to Germany, but were forbidden to have a friendship by Anschluss, creating even more hard feelings. Germany lost Alsace-Lorraine to France, Eupen-Malmedy to Belgium, North Schleswig to Denmark, and Possen and West Prussia to Poland; all of these territorial losses humiliated the Germans. These many losses made Germany unable to recover from the long war of attrition, contributing to the poverty faced by Germany in the 1920's, which consequentially contributed to the rejection of the democratic government. The most hated part of the treaty of Versailles was the War Guilt Clause, stating that Germany was responsible for the war. The leader of Germany had to sign the treaty, or face further attacks by the allies. The treaty was so disgraceful that Chancellor Scheideman resigned, rather than sign it. Finally, Fredriech Ebert signed it, later to be known as one of the "November Criminals," (anybody who played a role in 'selling out' Germany or anybody who benefitted from the Weimar Republic) for signing it. The German public didn't really understand that the government was forced to sign it; they felt as though the government was stabbing them in the backs. Thus, not only did the Germans feel discontent towards other nations, it also had unrest from within. The Weimar Republic was doomed to failure because the first act of the government was 'selling out' Germany. The humiliation and anger caused by the treaty of Versailles led to the regression of democracy, and the rise of fascism. By and large, Versailles was the first step towards the Second World War; the demands on Germany were impossible and unethical. However, the Second World War didn't have to happen. Britain and France could have listened to Wilson's points, and not have interfered with Germany's right to self determination. But, all of France wanted vengeance from the Franco-Prussian war, and France and the British public both wanted revenge for the costs and devastation of the war. The course of events weren't inevitable, but when you consider the facts that every country were imperialists, and aggressive nationalists, and Germany wanted to be as powerful as the other two great powers, and the bitterness of the costs of the war, one can hardly speculate why things went the way that they did.

Answer 2

The war guilt clause forced Germany to say that they alone caused World War 1 and that it was therefore right and proper that they had to pay reparations. It was also widely taken to mean that Germany was a 'rogue state'.

Answer 3

It said that Germany alone caused world war one.

Answer 4

it was unfair because germany had to take full responsible for the entire war and they were the only one who started but beacuse they surrender they were the ones to be blamed which is unfair

Answer 5

to say that Germany started ww1 and has to pay retributions

Answer 6

a treaty