Understanding the Treaty of Versailles and Germany

The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, officially ending World War I between Germany and the Allied Powers. This treaty placed significant restrictions on Germany, including severe limitations on its military capabilities. The purpose of these military and disarmament clauses was to prevent Germany from posing a threat to European peace again.

These clauses included:

• Limiting the size of the German army to 100,000 men.
• Prohibiting Germany from having tanks, heavy artillery, and an air force.
• Restricting the German navy to a small number of ships and forbidding submarines.
• Demilitarizing the Rhineland area bordering France.

For many years after the war, Germany largely complied with these restrictions, though there were covert activities.

Germany's Formal Declaration in 1935

In the mid-1930s, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, Germany began to openly challenge the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. A significant step was taken in 1935.

In March 1935, Germany formally declared that it was no longer bound by the military and disarmament clauses of the Treaty of Versailles. This declaration was accompanied by several actions:

• The introduction of compulsory military service (conscription).
• An announcement to significantly expand the size of the army beyond the 100,000 limit set by the treaty.
• A plan to build up a large air force (Luftwaffe), which was completely forbidden by the treaty.

This move in 1935 marked a clear and open defiance of the post-WWI international order established by the treaty.

Significance of Defying the Treaty of Versailles Military Clauses

Germany's formal declaration in 1935 had major implications:

• It was a clear signal of Hitler's intent to overturn the Treaty of Versailles and restore Germany's military power.
• It demonstrated the inability of the League of Nations and the Allied Powers (like Britain and France) to effectively enforce the treaty's terms.
• It accelerated the European arms race and contributed to the growing tensions that eventually led to World War II.

The year 1935 is therefore a crucial date in the lead-up to the Second World War, marking Germany's open rejection of the military limitations imposed upon it by the Treaty of Versailles.

Revision Table: Key Dates Regarding Germany and the Treaty

Additional Information: Reactions and Consequences

The international reaction to Germany's declaration in 1935 was varied. Britain and France protested, but no significant action was taken to stop Germany's rearmament. Britain, in fact, signed the Anglo-German Naval Agreement later in 1935, which allowed Germany to build a navy up to a certain percentage of the British navy's size, further undermining the Treaty of Versailles.

This period is often seen as part of a policy of "appeasement" by Britain and France, where they hoped that allowing Germany some concessions might prevent a future conflict. However, Germany's actions in 1935, particularly the reintroduction of conscription and announcement of rearmament, were major steps towards building the military force that would be used in the invasions of subsequent years.