jun 28, 1919 - Treaty of Versailles

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The treaty of Versailles was signed by the allies and Germany to end the first world war.
Wilson (USA) wanted a peace not punishment approach so that Germany could become an ally.
Clemenceau (France) wanted harsh punishment and compensation for the war
Lloyd George (UK) wanted a stable, rebuild Germany not subject to communism.

The terms were harsh:
Germany had to give up colonies to the league of nations (which was created and signed at the Paris Peace conference where the Treaty of Versailles was also signed and Germany wasn't allowed to join), it had to give up land in the West to France and in the East to Poland
The Rhineland area (bordering France) was demilitarised from German military.
Germany was forbidden from uniting with Austria.
The army was limited to 100,000 men and the navy to 6 battleships with no air force.
Germany was made to accept responsibility for the war.
Germany had to pay reparations to the allies (set at £6.6 billion (132 billion gold marks) total in April 1921 with £0.1 billion being paid per year).

The harsh terms led to the resignation of the Scheidemann cabinet but were ultimately accepted by the Ebert and the succeeding cabinet.

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