The Rise of the Third Reich

“…You want us to take full responsibility for the war. I would be lying if I said so. Germany and the German people remain convinced that they are waging a defensive war, and I am here to strongly oppose giving full responsibility to Germany. From November 1918 Since the 11th, hundreds of thousands of innocent German citizens, women and children have starved to death because the blockade continues. They died precisely because of your victory and because your safety was better guaranteed. I ask you to speak of guilt and Think of them when you punish.”

This was the cry of despair made by Count Brokdorf-Lancau, head of the German delegation attending the Paris Peace Conference, when he saw the draft of the Treaty of Versailles for the first time.

The Paris Peace Conference was not about bargaining between the victorious and defeated countries. Instead, the five victorious countries, Britain, the United States, France, Japan, and Italy, drafted a treaty, and then asked the defeated countries and other small and weak countries to sign and pledge their signatures. Therefore, there are many people who are so angry that they vomit blood after seeing the treaty or hearing about its contents. And Count Brokdorf-Rancao must be the most desperate person among them... because this treaty is too harsh for Germany.

The loss of territory, population, and resources reached a level that was unacceptable to the Germans. According to the treaty, Germany will lose 13.5% of its territory, 12.5% ​​of its population, all overseas colonies (including German East Africa, German Southwest Africa, Cameroon, Togo and German New Guinea), 16% of its coal producing areas and half of its iron industry!

The native lands ceded alone include Alsace and Lorraine, North Schleswig, West Prussia, Posen, part of East Prussia, part of Upper Silesia, East Upper Silesia, Danzig, Euben and Salme Dee, Klaipeda. The Saar coal mining area was mined by France for 15 years, and its administrative power was administered by the League of Nations for 15 years, and then its ownership was determined by a referendum.

In addition, Germany must also guarantee that it will never merge with Austria and recognize the independence of Luxembourg.

This level of territorial cession has far exceeded the original commitments of the Allied Powers - it is also what the German Albert government and the vast majority of Germans consider the basis for peace talks!

In addition to ceding land, there are also appalling amounts of compensation. According to the decision of the Compensation Commission of the Allied Powers, Germany needs to immediately compensate 20 billion gold marks (paid in gold and in kind) - this is only the first installment. The Allied Powers will also set up a "Compensation Commission" under the control of France before May 1, 1921. Calculate the total amount of compensation the German government should pay.

In fact, it was this compensation of 20 billion gold marks that had declared the death penalty of the Weimar Republic - a suspended death penalty! This is not sensational, but is related to the financial and monetary systems prevailing in the world at that time.

What was implemented in the world at that time was the "precious metal standard" monetary system. Banknotes must be linked to gold and silver, and banknotes issued by central banks in major countries are "redeemable" banknotes. It’s not “non-redeemable” banknotes that you can use as much as you want. The initial compensation of 20 billion gold marks had already caused the Weimar Republic to lose most of its gold and silver reserves, and the currency value of the mark became precarious.

And when the Allied Compensation Commission finally announced that the Germans would pay 226 billion gold marks in compensation, there was no need to wait for payment before it could bring a devastating blow to the German economy, because this huge debt directly reduced Germany's theoretical gold reserves. It was cleared to the tune of tens of thousands of tons!

Therefore, the Weimar Republic could no longer establish a stable monetary system in accordance with the rules of the gold and silver standard, and the German mark would become waste paper in the foreseeable future! The Weimar Republic's economy will also be fragile and turbulent for a long time.

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

In addition, the treaty also stipulates that Germany must compensate for the failure to pay in cash with mineral resources and industrial equipment. This provision was partially implemented later. French and Belgian armed forces occupied the Rhine Demilitarized Zone, dismantled the machinery and equipment there, and forced German workers to produce for France and Belgium... Such behavior would certainly become the source of the Nazi Party's vigorous development. .

Of course, the victorious countries such as Britain, France and the United States also knew that it would be difficult for Germany to withstand the blow of the treaty. 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 weak and harmless country.

The Treaty of Versailles stipulates:

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

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

3. It is not allowed to have a navy. In terms of ships, it can only have 6 battleships with a displacement of 10,000 tons. It is not allowed to have submarines.

4. The air force shall not be organized.

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

7. Chemical weapons must not be produced or stored.

8. Abolish the compulsory military service system and extend the service period to 12 years for non-commissioned officers and 25 years for officers.

In addition, the treaty also stipulates that Germany must admit all war responsibility and admit crimes against civilians in the Allied Powers. It also called for the trial of war criminals led by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

"Why are they doing this! How can they treat us like this?"

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

"Fight on! Fight with them!"

When the draft text of the peace treaty reached Germany, the General Staff headquarters at Koenigplatz seemed to be a madhouse. Most of the people Hessmann saw, who had just returned from Russia, were shouting.

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

"Well, let me make a prediction." Hessmann said, "The Allies are going to disband!"

"real?"

"Of course!" Hessman sneered, "Britain and France took all the benefits, and the United States got nothing... Oh, that's what it looks like on the surface! Woodrow Wilson had no way to convince the vast majority of Americans. The United States After all, it is a democratic country. Just look at it. It won’t be long before this country regrets participating in the war.”

"This is good news..." Schleicher frowned, "If we reject 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 nothing we can do... I think we still have to sign this treaty!"

"But if such a treaty is signed, Germany will be doomed!"

"Germany will not be finished, but those who signed the treaty will be finished!"

"who?"

"Social Democrats! Aren't they anti-war? Don't they believe in Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points for Peace?" Hersman smiled coldly, "Aren't they the only real anti-war force in Germany? I believe that As long as they are in power, Germany will not rearm itself to fight... But now the Allies are using the treaty to destroy the Social Democratic Party. I guess the Social Democratic Party’s cabinet will not last long. Maybe it will be time to step down this time next year!”

"Haha, this is the best prophecy I have ever heard!" When Schleicher spoke, he and Herschman were already standing outside the door of Hindenburg's office. He didn't knock on the door but continued talking to Hersman. "Then who will save Germany? Ludwig, can you predict?"

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