The following were 3 main terms of the Treaty of Versailles:

(i)Military terms
(ii)Territorial terms
(iii)War Guilt Clause

Which was more intolerable to the Germans? Explain your answer. [13]

Introduction:
The Treaty of Versailles was signed at the end of the First World War to restore peace in Europe. However, in doing so, it angered the Germans who not only disliked the terms but were forced to accept them.

Main Body:
The military terms of the Treaty of Versailles humiliated the Germans. Once a European military power, as testified by their ability to fight against the British, the French, the Russians and the USA in the First World War, they were now reduced to a very weak power. They could no longer attack any country, as they were not allowed to have offensive weapons like submarines, tanks and air-force. In fact, with only 100,000 soldiers and Rhineland demilitarised, they probably could not even defend themselves. In other words, the country would experience a sense of insecurity.

The territorial terms angered the Germans in many ways. Firstly, the loss of colonies meant that Germany would no longer be regarded as a Great Power. This was a humiliation. Secondly, the loss of resource-rich areas like the Saar would affect Germany, which would find itself having difficulty in recovering its economy during the postwar period. Finally, the loss of lands to Poland and Czechoslovakia was intolerable, given that these lands were inhabited by Germans. The creation of Poland and Czechoslovakia was based on the concept of self-determination and yet, the Germans were deprived of their rights to self-determination. This was certainly unfair to the Germans.

The War Guilt Clause humiliated the Germans as well when Germany was forced to accept all the blame for starting the First World War. The Germans could not understand why Germany had to accept the entire blame when all the countries were involved in the war. Furthermore, Germany's involvement was due to its need to support its ally, which was the same reason why Russia was involved in the war. The amount of £6.6 billion as reparations was to deepen the sense of injustice among the Germans. Such a large sum of money would only add a heavy burden on the German economy for a long time. Thus, this would cause long-term suffering.