How did Germany react to the treaty of versailles?

Question

I know that they lost land, army and naval and had to pay teh debt of the war off. I have to write a speech pretending that I am representing Germany and how their decision to support austria led to the punitive actions/terms in the treaty of Versailles in 1919.

Answer 1

Germany was outraged at the Treaty for a couple reasons:

1) German troops were deeper in allied territory than ever before. The army felt as though they were actually gaining ground, so it didnt' make any sense to them that they were signing a treaty admitting defeat. The troops were outraged

2) Germany was simply helping an ally, but had to take full responsibility for the war, and pay reparations. Germany felt that becuase they were the strongest ally of the Triple Alliance, that they were being unfairly persecuted.

3) Germany lost territory, and military as you said. This was a huge blow to national pride.

To put it in terms we can all understand, imagine that the United STates was fighting in a war becuase Britian (her ally) started a fight... just being a good ally. The US gains ground, and is pushing towards victory, but then a peace is signed between US government and a foreign power. Even though it appeared that the US was winnign the war, the US lost land, army, and had to pay reparations... how would you feel?

This led many in Germany to belive that someon on the inside was betraying them (since they belived they were winnign the war). Hitler later took advantage of this, and scapegoated the Jews. The rest is history.