The Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to reduce their military power. They could no longer have submarines, tanks or an air force. They were only allowed to have 100,000 troops and a navy of only six battleships. Forcing people to join the army was banned they had to volunteer. Germany lost 10% of its land, 12% of its population, 16% of its coalfields and half its steel and iron industry. The Saar coalfields were given to France for 15 years. Alsace-Lorraine was given back to France, Malmedy was given to Belgium. Memal was given to Lithuania, North Schleswig was given to Denmark. West Prussia and Upper Silesia were given to Poland. Danzig was made a ‘free city’. In addition, germany was not allowed to unite with Austria. Germany was required to pay 132 billion gold marks which is 33 billion dollars in the United States. Reparation payments were payments of money or goods to other countries intended to cover damage or injury inflicted during war. Germans were not happy at all about the reparations. The germans were unwilling to raise taxes to pay the reparation payments. …show more content…
Since 1921, Hitler had lead the Nazi Party, political group that promoted German pride and that was unhappy with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler was convicted of treason and sentenced to five years in prison. He spent less than a year behind bars, during which time he dictated “Mein Kampf,” which meant “my struggle”, his political