Treaty of Versailles

Political Clauses for Europe

Sophia, Ben, Josh and Keaton

Article 31

Germany, recognising that the Treaties of April 19, 1839, which established the status of Belgium

before the war, no longer conform to the requirements of the situation, consents to the abrogation of

the said Treaties and undertakes immediately to recognise and to observe whatever conventions may

be entered into by the Principal Allied and Associated Powers, or by any of them, in concert with the

Governments of Belgium and of the Netherlands, to replace the said Treaties of 1839. If her formal

adhesions should be required to such conventions or to any of their stipulations, Germany undertakes

immediately to give it.

Fancy way of saying that Germany acknowledges that Belgium and the Netherlands as independant

nations. The allies decided this so that Germany knows if they put their army in one of those

countries, they are declaring war. As well, Germany needs to know that the did not win over their

land. Some Germans might find this unfair since they won over this land during the war.

Article 36

When the transfer of the sovereignty over the territories referred to above has become definite,

German nationals habitually resident in the territories will definitely acquire Belgian nationality ipso

facto, and will lose their German nationality. Nevertheless, German nationals who became resident in

the territories after August 1, 1914, shall not obtain Belgian nationality without a permit from the

Belgian Government.

Belgium made sure after the German attack any German people who were either in the country as a

tourist or as a citizen were deported to Germany and lost their Belgian citizenship, after the war

they were brought back to Belgium and would not get their citizenship back unless they were

given a permit by the Belgian government. The germans may have felt unfairly treated because

they already lived in Belgium and just because their counrty of origin did something, they were to

blame. Another reason they would be upset is the fact that they had to essentially re-apply for

citizenship, when they were already citizens.

Article 43

In the area defined above the maintenance and the assembly of armed forces, either permanently or

temporarily, and military maneuvers of any kind, as well as the upkeep of all permanent works for mobilization,

are in the same way forbidden.

This penalty was selected for Germany because their army was very powerful and still was seeking revenge.

In making the army activity static the threat of another attack was not as imminent and was almost

irradiated. This would leave Germany very vulnerable to foreign attacks and even civil affairs seeking

revenge. In making the army activity static the threat of another attack was not as imminent if these were

to take place. The development of weapons being put on hold would not only set Germany’s defense

behind, but also Germany as a country.

Article 42

Germany is forbidden to maintain or construct any fortifications either on the left bank of the Rhine or

on the right bank to the west of a line drawn 50 kilometres to the East of the Rhine.

The allies selected this penalty because in the case of another war it would make traversing over the river of

Rhine much easier. This was due to the fact that the Germans would be unprepared to defend the line if a

war broke out since they wouldn’t be aloud to build a wall or defences to slow or stop an attack. So this would

give the allies an advantage over Germany if they ever had to cross Rhine in a future war if there was one.

Which this was because Germany was “forbidden to maintain or construct any fortifications wither on the left

bank of Rhine or on the right bank to the west of a line drawn 50 kilometres to the east of Rhine”. The effect

this consequence might have on Germany would be that it would make them a very easy target to other

countries from an attack from the west through Rhine. Which would be because they wouldn’t be prepared

for an attack that they weren’t expecting, as they wouldn’t have pre-built any defences along Rhine.

Article 44

In case Germany violates in any manner whatever the provisions of Articles 42 and 43, she shall be

regarded as committing a hostile act against the Powers signatory of the present Treaty and as

calculated to disturb the peace of the world.

If germany violates article 42 and 43, they declare war. The allies selected this penalty because then it would

make Germany not want to break any of the rules listed so that they wouldn’t be at war with the members

of the treaty. This rule made it so that if Germany broke just one of the rules listed then they would be

committing a hostile act against the powers signatory of the present Treaty and that this would disturb the

peace of the world; which would throw them into war, possibly spiralling into a second world war.

The effect this consequence might have on Germany is that it would make them obey the rules, which would

contain and make them very vulnerable. But if they broke it they would be immediately throw into a war that

they wouldn’t be prepared for and would most likely lose and it would make them very vulnerable to attacks

from other countries.

Overall, What Impact would these have on Germany

Many of the German citizens could find this extremely unfair.

Like giving them a house arrest

strict punishment so they wouldn’t do it again.