“…… You want us to take full responsibility for the war. If I say that, I'd be lying. Germany and the German people remain convinced that they are waging a defensive war, and I strongly oppose here that Germany should be held fully responsible. Since 11 November 1918, hundreds of thousands of innocent German citizens, women and children have starved to death because the blockade continues, and they died precisely because of your victory, your greater security and I ask you to think of them when you talk about culpability and punishment. ”

This was the cry of despair from Count Brockdorf-Lancao, head of the German delegation to the Paris Peace Conference, when he first saw the draft Treaty of Versailles.

The Paris Peace Conference was not a bargain between the victorious and the defeated powers, but a treaty drawn up by the five victorious powers of Britain, the United States, France, Japan, and Italy, and then the defeated countries and other small and weak countries participating in the conference signed and pledged. Therefore, there are many people who are so angry that they vomit blood when they see the treaty or hear about the content of the treaty. And the Count of Brockdorf-Lancao must have been the most desperate of them all...... Because for Germany, the treaty was too harsh.

The loss of territory, population and resources reached a point that was unacceptable to the Germans. According to the treaty, Germany will lose 13.5% of its territory, 12.5% of its population, all of its overseas colonies (including German East Africa, German South-West Africa, Cameroon, Togo and German New Guinea), 16% of its coal production and half of its steel industry!

The ceded native lands alone included Alsace and Lorraine, Northern Schleswig, West Prussia, Posen, part of East Prussia, part of Upper Silesia, East Upper Silesia, Danzig, Yubben and Salmerdi, and Klaipeda. The Saarland was mined by France for 15 years, and its administration was held in trust by the League of Nations for 15 years, before a referendum was held.

In addition, Germany had to promise that it would never merge with Austria and recognize Luxembourg's independence.

This level of land cession went far beyond what the Entente had promised - and it was also the basis for peace talks in the eyes of the German Albert government and the vast majority of Germans!

In addition to the land cessation, there are also appalling indemnities. According to the decision of the Allies' Reparations Commission, Germany was required to pay immediate compensation of 20 billion gold marks (in gold and in kind) - this was only the first period, and the Allies would also set up a "reparations commission" at the disposal of France to calculate the total amount of compensation due to the German government by May 1, 1921.

In fact, it was this reparation of 20 billion gold marks that had already proclaimed the death penalty in the Weimar Republic - a suspended execution! This was not sensational, but had something to do with the prevailing financial and monetary system in the world at that time.

At that time, the world was based on a monetary system based on the "precious metal standard". Banknotes must be pegged to gold and silver, and banknotes issued by the central banks of major countries are "redeemable" banknotes. It's not a "non-redeemable" banknote that you can brush as much as you want. The initial compensation of 20 billion gold marks has already caused the Weimar Republic to lose most of its gold and silver reserves, and the value of the mark has become precarious.

And when the Entente Reparations Commission finally announced that the Germans would pay 226 billion gold marks, it did not need to wait for the payment to bring a devastating blow to the German economy, because this huge debt directly cleared Germany's theoretical gold reserves to minus tens of thousands of tons!

As a result, the Weimar Republic will no longer be able to establish a stable monetary system according to the rules of the gold and silver standard, and the Deutsche Mark will be wasted in the foreseeable future! The economy of the Weimar Republic will remain fragile and turbulent for a long time.

Even if someone later invented the "real estate mortgage mark", which linked the mark to the real estate and temporarily suppressed inflation, there was still no way to really establish the credibility of the mark. The credibility of the real estate mark and the national mark of the later Weimar Republic was based on "scarcity" and American loans, which led to a series of economic difficulties that would be difficult for a democratic government to overcome - that eventually led to the Weimar Republic being replaced by the Third Reich......

In addition, the treaty required Germany to compensate for the unpaid amount in cash in the form of mineral resources and industrial equipment. This rule was partially implemented later, when French and Belgian armed forces occupied the Rhine demilitarized zone, demolished machinery and equipment there, and forced German workers to produce for France and Belgium...... Such an act will, of course, become the source of the Nazi Party's vigorous development.

Of course, the victorious powers such as Britain, France, and the United States knew that it would be difficult for Germany to withstand the blow of the treaty, and in order to prevent the Germans from taking risks again, they came up with another way that they thought was clever -- to weaken the German army to the greatest extent. It seems that without a strong German army, Germany will become a small and weak country that is harmless to animals.

The Treaty of Versailles provided that:

1. The territory on the west bank of the Rhine (Rhineland) was occupied by the Allied forces for 15 years, and the German army was not allowed to fortify it within 50 kilometers of the east and west banks.

2. The Army was limited to less than 100,000 personnel and was not allowed to possess offensive weapons such as tanks or heavy artillery, and the establishment of the German General Staff was abolished.

3. It is not allowed to have a navy, only 6 battleships with a displacement of 10,000 tons can be on the ship side, and submarines are not allowed.

4. The Air Force shall not be organized.

5. Arms are not allowed to be imported or exported, and an additional 26% fee is levied on exported goods.

7. Do not produce or store chemical weapons.

8. The compulsory military service system was abolished, and the term of service for non-commissioned officers and soldiers was extended to 12 years and 25 years for officers.

In addition, the treaty required Germany to admit full responsibility for the war and to commit crimes against the civilian population of the Entente countries. He also demanded the trial of war criminals headed by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

"Why should they do this! How can they treat us like this? ”

"The treaty is unacceptable! Germany can only fight! ”

"Fight it! Fight with them! ”

When the draft of the peace treaty reached Germany, the Great General Staff at Königplatz seemed to have become a madhouse. Most of the people Hesmann, who had just returned from Russia, were shouting loudly.

Schleicher, who considers himself Hirschmann's big brother, was quite calm, and in the corridor to Hindenburg's office, he lowered his voice and said, "It's so harsh, I didn't even think of it...... By the way, almost exactly as you predicted in the report! Alas, you are such a magical crow's mouth, when can you predict Britain, the United States and France? ”

"Alright then, I'll just predict." Hersman said, "The Entente are going to break up!" ”

"Really?"

"Of course!" Hersman sneered, "Britain and France took all the benefits, and the United States got nothing...... Oh, on the surface! Woodrow. Wilson was unable to convince the vast majority of Americans. The United States is, after all, a democracy, and if you look at it, it won't be long before the country regrets going to war. ”

"That's good news...... Schleicher wrinkled his face, "if we refuse the treaty, will the Americans still help Britain and France fight us?" ”

"The question is, do we still have the strength to fight now?" Hersman shook his head. "There's no way...... I think this treaty still has to be signed! ”

"But when such a treaty is to be signed, Germany will be finished!"

"Germany can't finish it, but the people who signed the treaty can't finish it!"

"Who?"

"O Social Democrats! Aren't they anti-war? They don't believe Woodrow. Wilson's "Fourteen Points of Peace"? Hersmann smiled coldly, "Aren't they the only real anti-war force in Germany?" I believe that as long as they take power, Germany will not rearm itself to fight...... But the Entente are now going to destroy the Social Democrats with a treaty, and I don't think the SPD cabinet will last long. Maybe it's time to step down this time next year! ”

"Hehe, this is the best prophecy I've ever heard!" As Schleicher spoke, he and Hersmann were already standing outside the Hindenburg office. He didn't knock on the door, but continued to talk to Hersman. "Then who will come to the rescue of Germany? Ludwig, can you predict that? ”

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