Treaty of Versailles
Summary of the Treaty of Versailles
The Covenant of the League of Nations (I): establishes League of Nations
Boundaries of Germany (II-III) : relinquishes territory conquered during WWI
German Rights and Interests outside Germany (IV): Germany loses all overseas territories and has to pay reparations for damage done to colonies of other countries
Military, Naval and Air Clauses (V): demobilization of German military, limits size (100,000 men) and training of military, limits amount of arms Germany can stockpile, forces surrender of excess arms, forbids import of arms and poisonous gases, forbids manufacture of poisonous gases, demilitarization of the Rhine, all fortifications within 50 km east of the Rhine must be disarmed and dismantled, no new fortifications can be built in that zone, limits size of navy and number of ships, destroys submarine fleet, Germany must clean up mines in the North Sea, destroys air force, opens up German airways to allied powers
Prisoners of War (VI): releases Allied and Associated prisoners of war and interned civilians captured by Germany
Penalties (VII): Kaiser charged with “supreme offence against international morality”, sentenced to be tried by a special tribunal with representatives from each allied power (never goes into effect, Netherlands refuse to give him up), German government forced to allow people to be tried for war crimes by allied war tribunals
Reparation (VIII): Germany forced to accept all blame for the war, loss, and damage caused by conflict, forced to compensate for damages and return spoils
Financial Clauses (IX): Germany forced to pay reparations and other war related expenses
Economic Clauses (X): Germany promised not to discriminate economically against any Allied or Associated Powers, Allied and Associated Powers promise not to economically discriminate against Germany, settling of debts and other economic problems
Aerial Navigation (XI): German airspace opened to Allies
Ports, Waterways and Railways (XII): opened to international traffic and trade, no discrimination or unfair tariffs against Allies
Labour (XIII): labor rights for all, organization of international labor board, includes women and people of different nationalities, establishment of committee of inquiry, annual labor conference
Guarantees (XIV): German territories west of the Rhine to be occupied by Allies for 15 years after treaty, German troops forced to leave Eastern Europe
Miscellaneous Provisions (XV)