The document discusses the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany after World War 1. It notes that many Germans believed they were "stabbed in the back" by leaders who signed the armistice, dubbed the "November Criminals". The treaty forced Germany to take responsibility for starting the war and imposed severe economic sanctions like reparations amounting to £132 billion gold marks. While the treaty fueled German anger and nationalist sentiment that helped the Nazis rise, there are also arguments that other factors like the Great Depression were more directly responsible for the Nazis gaining power in 1932.

2. The November Criminals
Many Germans believed that
they had not actually lost WW1
but instead had been ‘stabbed in
the back’.
Some Germans nicknamed he
leaders who signed the armistice
the ‘November Criminals’.

3. The Treaty of Versailles
German anger became worse
the following year.
Germany was forced to sign
the Treaty of Versailles, the
legal agreement to end the
war. Many Germans called
this a ‘diktat’.

4. Treaty conditions
Under the treaty, Germany
agreed to take the blame for
starting the war.
Their military was reduced,
with only 100,000 soldiers
allowed and no air force.

5. Arguments for influence
One of the Nazis’ main promises
was to reverse the Treaty of
Versailles, attracting more support.
In particular, many soldiers that
lost their jobs later became part of
the Nazi Party.

6. Arguments against influence
The treaty was signed in 1919
but the Nazis did not become
the biggest party until 1932.
There were other elections in
the 1920s where people did not
back the Nazis, suggesting
limited treaty importance.

7. Treaty conditions
Many Versailles punishment
hurt Germany’s economy.
They were forced to pay
reparations to cover the cost
of war. This amounted to £132
billion gold marks.

8. Treaty conditions
Germany also lost land such
as the Sudetenland and all
overseas territories.
Much of this land included
industry and agriculture,
meaning Germany would now
have fewer goods to sell.

9. Hyperinflation
In 1923 Germany was stuck in
a hyperinflation crisis
(meaning prices hugely
increased).
This led to high poverty ,
unemployment and the loss of
people’s life savings.

10. Arguments for influence
Hyperinflation and German
anger led to Hitler starting a
revolt in 1923. This gave him a
huge public profile.
This publicity helped the Nazis
gain more supporters.

11. Arguments against influence
Hyperinflation ended in 1923,
but Hitler did not take power
until a decade later.
The Depression was more
important in ending Weimar, and
was not caused by Versailles.