The Treaty of Versailles

Resentment towards the Treaty of Versailles

Resentment towards the Treaty of Versailles played a significant role in the rise of the Nazis. Here are key factors related to this resentment:

The November Criminals

• Many Germans believed that they had not genuinely lost World War I but had been betrayed. They referred to the leaders who signed the armistice as the "November Criminals."

The Treaty of Versailles

• Germany's anger escalated when it was compelled to sign the Treaty of Versailles, the peace agreement that formally ended the war. This treaty had several punitive conditions.

Treaty Conditions

• Under the treaty, Germany accepted blame for starting the war.
• Germany's military was severely limited, with a maximum of 100,000 soldiers allowed and no air force.

Arguments for Influence

• One of the main promises made by the Nazis was to reverse the Treaty of Versailles, which attracted more support.
• Many soldiers who had lost their jobs due to the treaty's conditions later joined the Nazi Party.

Arguments Against Influence

• The treaty was signed in 1919, yet the Nazis did not become the largest party until 1932. There were other elections in the 1920s where people did not overwhelmingly support the Nazis, suggesting that the treaty's importance was limited.

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The Treaty of Versailles

Treaty Conditions

• The Versailles punishment severely impacted Germany's economy. Germany was forced to pay reparations totaling £132 billion gold marks.
• Germany also lost significant territory, including the Sudetenland and all overseas territories, which contained valuable industry and agriculture.

Hyperinflation

• In 1923, Germany experienced a hyperinflation crisis, resulting in a sharp increase in prices, widespread poverty, unemployment, and the loss of people's life savings.

Arguments for Influence

• Hyperinflation and German anger led Hitler to attempt a coup in 1923, which gave him significant public attention. This publicity helped the Nazis gain more supporters.

Arguments Against Influence

• Hyperinflation ended in 1923, yet Hitler did not assume power until later. The hyperinflation crisis was more important in ending the Weimar Republic and was not directly caused by the Treaty of Versailles.

Conclusion

The resentment and anger stirred by the Treaty of Versailles contributed to the Nazis' appeal, as they promised to address these grievances and reverse the treaty's conditions.