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Versaillles
The Treaty of Versailles blamed Germany for the First World War. As a result of this Germany was also held accountable for the cost of the war and the Treaty dictated that compensation would have to be paid to the Allies. These payments, called reparations, would be paid monthly and would total some £6,600 million (This figure was agreed by the Allies in 1921). It is important not to take this figure in isolation though. remember that the economic might of Germany had been stretched to the limits during the war, and she would have to reconstruct her own economy at the same time as paying Reparations. In addition, Germany had lost some of her most precious sources of Raw materials as her colonies, and some of the areas ceded to other countries, were rich sources of income. These factors would make it harder for the German economy to cope. Further to this it is important to note the casualties suffered during the war. Germany lost some 1.7 million men during the war, and a further 4.2 million are listed as being wounded.
The Political Impact of the Treaty
The Treaty triggered a number of political reactions. Firstly the government of the day resigned, having refused to sign it. The incoming government had no choice but to sign the Treaty but was accused by some, General Ludendorff for example, of stabbing the Germany people in the back. This Theory grew in popularity as the economy suffered and many, former soldiers in particular, believed that the politicians had lost the war rather than the army. (For some it was hard to accept that they could have lost the war whilst troops were still stationed in France, having not lost the ground that they had taken in 1914.) This, amongst other things, led to a growth in the number of people who distrusted the Weimar Republic and were unwilling to support it. This manifests itself in uprisings such as the Kapp Putsch and the Munich Putsch, though there are other factors which led to these uprisings.
The Treaty also called for the trial of the former Kaiser. This never happened as the Dutch government refused to hand him over, but this effectively stopped any chance of a restoration of the monarchy in Germany. In Western Europe the Treaty signaled the beginning of a period of isolation for Germany. She became an outcast in international politics and was feared and distrusted by the Allies. This had a significant impact on the role that Germany would, and potentially could, play in European and World affairs in the early post war climate. However, whilst it is evident that Germany became politically isolated in the West, some historians would point out that their isolation has been exaggerated by Westerners. The Treaty of Rapello for example shows that there was scope for Germany to develop relations in the east, in this case with the Soviet Union, and, they would point out, the newly formed nations were in need of economic partners - with Germany being a likely dominant partner in that sphere.
Selected Links on the Treaty of Versailles
Originally posted by parry noid
I have been saying this for quite a while now and it has been pushed off just as fast as I could push it on. People choose to not accept this, but when it starts to happen then what? I too feel sorry for those who cannot make their minds up for themselves, and rely on others to make it for them.
What times we are in....
Originally posted by SpeakerofTruth
Now, look at the present situation in America. America lost Vietnam, and it's going to lose Iraq because it does not have the testicular fortitude to see anything through. Will this have an effect on the future of America, certainly.
Originally posted by Esoterica
In Iraq we have a similar problem, but it's compounded by the fact that the enemy aren't external, they're internal. You can't even consider the carpetbomb approach, because you'd be destroying exactly what you're trying to protect. But I also don't think things over there are nearly as bad as they're portrayed, and it's nto a hopeless situation from the start as Vietnam was.
See what through?
Well, they certainly found someone to blame for the hardship of the German people, the Jews
Source
AMERICA: "FREEDOM TO FASCISM" A MUST SEE MOVIE
By Steven Yates
July 10, 2006
NewsWithViews.com
Imagine this scenario: you call your local Pizza Palace planning to order two large pizzas with meat toppings. A female voice identifies you by your 20-digit national ID number. She mentions where you work. You ask how she knows this. “We just got wired into the system,” she says. Whatever. You place your order. Suddenly she slaps you with a $20 surcharge. Aghast, you demand, “Why?” She tells you: “Your medical records show you have high blood pressure and extremely high cholesterol.” Where’d she get my medical records? Oh, yes. The system.
Originally posted by hinky
America will not become the next Nazi Germany. If anything, it will turn more towards Sweden with liberal politics and socialistic give-a-way schemes by the Democrats in power.
Originally posted by highfreq
I see what your saying SpeakerofTruth.
What exactly do you mean by extreme rightism? Are you reffering to "right wing"? Sorry just not familiar with the term.
Speakeroftruth, not in the slightest. You seem to have a firm understanding of the proper terms. I find that refreshing.