To what extent did territorial loss affect Germany's economy as well as their access to natural resources?
Territorial Loss
Along the west of Germany, they were forced to return Alsace-Lorraine to France which the Germans had taken about 40 years earlier. Belgium had control over Eupen-Malmedy. Saarland was a very prosperous industrial region that was highly valuable economically which was given to the League of Nations for administration. Denmark also received Northern Schleswig. Any German military was forbidden to be in or around Rhineland. This was known as the demilitarization of Rhineland. Poland had received control over some parts of West Prussia and Silesia. The Czechoslovakia territory gained the Hultschin district. Danzig, which was Germany’s largest city became a free city with the protection of the League of Nations. Memel was finally controlled by Lithuania. And finally, Germany had lost all of its colonies outside the country.
After the Great War, Germany was seized of its land. In all, they lost 10% of its land, 12% of its population, 16% of their coal fields and 50% of their iron and steel industries. In result, the country forfeited more than 27,000 square miles. In addition, Germany was not allowed to become allies with Austria. This was designed to keep Germany weak in the matter of a crisis.
- After the war ended, we waited all week for the news to arrive. There was a buzz going around the town that the League of Nations were going to divide the country and distribute the parts. I was shaky all week long until I finally got to know that it was my hometown that was being separated.
- Being forced to leave my home and losing my citizenship made me realize how much I care about my country. I’ve never felt so lost and disconnected from my roots. I was scared and unaware because I've never felt so lost and disconnected from my roots.
Economic Problems
Post the Great War, German soldiers needed money and pensions. Widows from the war needed pensions and salaries as well. Germany also had to repay enormous amounts to France and Britain. Unfortunately, none of the other European countries lended money to Germany. Germany in the result was very deep in their debts.
To solve this problem, the government took loans from the central bank. The banks printed notes in bulks. However, this was a very bad idea as it caused a lot of destruction due to inflation.
The government printed many Deutschmarks and bills. The amount of money in circulated around the country went from 13 billion to 60 billion! The currency was massively devalued because they borrowed so much money and due to the money they printed internally. They also printed enough money to pay off their reparations of the Treaty of Versailles.
Once production of the bills collapsed, there was a huge shortage of goods like food. Since there was extra cash in the market, the pricing of everyday goods doubled every other day. Germans spiralled downwards into an economic crash and needed to find a solution as soon as possible.
- The money crash really put a dent in my savings. Whatever I had saved from before was now almost gone! Once again, I feel like I'm never going to be able to escape the misery.
- After my father left home to serve in the war, I had to provide and take care of myself. When he didn't return I presumed he was no longer with us. I requested the general in the town to provide me with a small pension. Unfortunately, I was unlucky; the government only provided for widows. I felt like there was no hope for me. I felt alone and abandoned without him.
Since there was less money in circulation and fewer people could provide for themself; the ration of poverty to the wealthy increased drastically. This meant there would be fewer people paying taxes as well. Making Germany a poorer country.
Lack of Access to Natural Resources
Due to the territorial loss, Germany was cut off from many major regions that provided natural resources.
Germany also lost the agriculturally-rich region Rhineland. The Pfaelzer forest also benefited the germans greatly. Rhineland was also known for their coal, steel and iron production.
Since Germany lacked materials like steel, they were unable to protect themselves in case of an attack as there wouldn’t be enough guns, cannons, etc. This, in turn, was ideal and benefited the rest of Europe. Silesia is another region that was taken away from Germany that was extremely profitable in the coal mining, steelwork and auto industries.
Saarland was a very important industrial valuable region as it was an important trading partner for iron, metal sheets, coal and many other raw materials.
How this affected their ability to pay off reparations
- Since we started mining, I feel like the work pressure has increased massively after hearing the news about the commodities that we need to return. They have us working a 14-hour shift! However, I need the money to provide for myself.
Germany was also permitted to repay countries like Britain in commodities. This included coal, timber, chemical dyes, medicines, livestock, agricultural machines, construction materials and factory material.
In order for Germany to repay for the reparations, they needed to mass-produce materials like coal, iron, steel, etc. This was harder to do as their biggest and strongest coal outlet, Silesia. Since the production and delivery rate was very low, France and Belgium wanted to seize the region of Ruhr to encourage the Germans to work harder to repay them.
However, by 26th December 1922, the Germans massively defaulted in to repay the Allies in timber. The other countries then reduced the reparation, but Germany was yet unable to pay them. In January 1923, the Germans defaulted on coal deliveries for the 34th time in three years since they lacked the land to mine in after Silesian coal fields were taken by Poland.
On January 9th, Belgium and France sent soldiers if their own to the region of Ruhr to help increase the production of coal and other materials. The soldiers also monitored the production carefully. This was known as the Occupation of Ruhr.
The Silesian coal mine ran about 54,000 kilometers around the border of Poland and Germany.
How mass deaths affected the population
Germany’s population was one-tenth of what it originally was after the war. Around 13 million Germans served in the war and 2 million were eventually killed.
After the war was over, burying the bodies was a major issue. This was because most Germans died outside of the country. Since the families were unable to mourn the dead and dispose them according to their religion, The german government created a national day of mourning with many different rituals according to their culture.
Many families were torn apart, leaving many children without parents or wives without husbands. This left orphans that were unable to care for themselves. Many wives could not pay for themselves or even pay for the taxes either. This also affected the economy as it increased their ratio of poverty to the working class.
- Another difficulty I faced was the death of my father. After that I felt like my world was crumbling and I didn't have anyone there for me. But I found comfort in the fact that many other families feel the same way.
Change in lifestyle for local Germans
The German lifestyle changed a lot while the men were away at war. For example, the women took over jobs like mining and started working in factories. Once the war was over, the men wanted their jobs back. The tension between men and women increased as both wanted to work in the same fields. This created a lot of gender confusion and gender wars of 1920.
German women that lived during 1920 were robbed of their chance to have a family as there were no young men available. This created a sort of connection between women all over Germany as they all went through the same thing together.
Victims of the war, women and orphan children separated into singular pressure groups. These groups were more like social groups where the members would all help the members get through the difficult times. Following this, many social-democratic, communist and nationalist groups formed. However, these groups would not co-operate with each other.
- After all these years of working at the mines, my friends think I should leave since it's not a 'lady-like' job anymore. They've hired a much faster and stronger task force full of men to replace us! It's soo hard to make them understand that I'm capable of a job like that. But, my group has been with me from the day I started, and even though I feel bad to leave the mines, they probably know what's best for me.
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was signed in the Palace of Versailles in June 1919 after the Great War. The treaty was made to maintain peace between the Allies and Germany. The treaty stated that Germany was responsible for starting the war and had to pay a penalty. The punishment to Germany was that they would lose territory and had to pay the other countries in either commodities or money. The treaty also stated that Germany had to pay 132 billion gold marks for any civilian damage.
Key
Geography
History
English
- On the positive side, I could look at this at a fresh start for me. There would be no more pointless deaths or hiding. I wouldn't have to wait at the door step everyday, awaiting my fathers arrival.
- I feel like I'm not capable of living like this. It's going to be very hard to provide for myself especially after the war. Since I'm still quite young, I never learnt how to run a business or even to get hired! This will probably be one of the hardest difficulties I've ever felt.
- On the bright side, after the war took out soo many men, I was able to get a job in the mine factories! It's not the ideal job, but it's enough for now. Maybe there will be some brighter days!
- I always hear my friends complaining about how it's really hard to finish the work. I now realize why mining is soo difficult! When I come home, my arms hurt and I feel like my feet are bleeding.
- After I heard about the 'national mourning day' I felt like I wouldn't be alone. I felt reassured that there were people I knew that were going through the same thing as me.
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