Standard: SS6H7a
Essential Question: How did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to the outbreak of WWII?
Name:
Date:
Per:
T.o.C. #
What happened in Germany after the Treaty of Versailles was signed?
Why did the Germans hate it so much?
This is important to understand, because the way that the Germans reacted to the
signing of the Treaty was a major factor in Hitler’s rise to power. In order to
understand why the Germans hated the Treaty so much, we need to take a closer
look at what some of the clauses within the treaty said.
 Germany had to accept total responsibility for starting the war. This was called the ‘War Guilt Clause’, or Article 231.
 Germany had to pay £6,600 million to the Allies to cover the damage it had caused during the war. This was a form
of compensation known as reparations.
 Germany had to hand over 70,000 square kilometers of land to the Allies. The allies divided this land out amongst
countries within Europe. This was supposed to make Germany weaker, and make other European countries stronger.
This would help to prevent Germany invading its neighbors within Europe in future years.
 Germany had to hand over all of its colonies to the Allies. One of the largest areas to be taken from Germany was in
Africa. The Union of South Africa administered German South-West Africa. Britain, France and Belgium divided up the
rest of the African land governed by Germany.
 The German armed forces were to be reduced greatly. The Reichwehr (Army) was only allowed 100,000 men. The
Navy was limited to 15,000 sailors.
 The German navy had to be reduced greatly. They were only allowed to keep 6 battle ships. They were only allowed
15,000 men.
 The use and production of weaponry was limited. The Germans were not allowed an air force or any submarines.
The Navy was only allowed six battleships and the buying of any further war materials was banned.
 The Rhineland had to be occupied by Allied troops. This border between France and Germany was supposed to last
for fifteen years and no German troops were to be allowed into the area.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS:
1. Which condition of the Treaty of Versailles do you believe would hurt Germany the most
ECONOMICALLY? Why?
2. Which condition of the Treaty of Versailles do you believe would hurt Germany the most
MILITARILY? Why?
3. Which condition of the Treaty of Versailles do you believe would hurt Germany’s PRIDE the
most? Why?
Treaty of Versailles Leads to Hyperinflation in Germany
To understand how the printing of so much money affected the German economy, your group will conduct two simulations of a
German family trying to budget its money for the month.
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The first simulation will take place in 1914, before World War I.
The second simulation will take place in 1921, after World War I.
Yellow = 1 mark
Green = 5 marks
Orange = 10 marks
Red/Pink = 20 marks
Blue/Purple = 50 marks
In these simulations, you will receive “marks,” the German currency. The value of the “marks” is listed in the box.
Scenario Example: 1914
You are a welder that works in construction and lives in Berlin in 1914. Budget your money for the month using the facts below.
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You make _________ marks per month to provide for a wife and two children.
Rent is 55 marks a month
The heating bill is usually 14 marks a month
Clothing expenses usually cost 22 marks a month
“Extras” (doctors, dentists, schools, etc.) total 11 marks a month
Food expenses usually cost 35 marks a month.
1914 Food Prices
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Wheat bread costs 2 marks and rye
bread costs 1 mark
Sausage is 1 mark per pound, while
beef is 2 marks per pound
Butter is 4 pounds per mark and
sugar is 5 pounds per mark.
Do you think this family is poor, middle class, or rich? Why? Write in complete sentences.
Can this family survive with the money they make? Why or why not? Write in complete sentences.
After spending money on these items for the month, how much money does this family have left to save up or spend for fun? Write in
complete sentences.
Scenario Example: 1921
After the war, the German government has started printing more money to help cover the war reparations that Germany owes to the
Allied Powers. Prices have increased for everything due to this process. Budget your money for the month using the facts below.
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You make ____________ marks a month to provide for a wife and two children.
Rent is 195 marks a month
The heating bill is usually 100 marks a month.
Clothing expenses usually amount to 150 marks a month.
Incidentals (doctors, dentists, schools, etc.) total 100 marks a month
Food expenses total 4,000 marks a month.
1921 Prices
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Wheat bread costs 700 marks and
rye bread costs 150 marks.
Sausage is 450 marks a pound, while
beef is 800 marks a pound.
Butter is 600 marks a pound and
sugar is 950 marks a pound.
Do you think this family is poor, middle class, or rich? Why? Write in complete sentences.
Can this family survive with the money they make? Why or why not? Write in complete sentences.
After spending money on these items for the month, how much money does this family have left to save up or spend for fun? Write in
complete sentences.
TOTD: The printing of so much money by Germany led to massive inflation, meaning the prices of everything went
up. Why would inflation make people angry? Write in complete sentences.