The Bitter Taste of Defeat

A Defeated Germany Contemplates the Peace Treaty (1919)

Unlike the Congress of Vienna (1814–1815), in which defeated France participated, the Treaty of Versailles was written without German input. Indeed, the German government was only presented with the completed treaty and told that it faced the choice of signing it or having the Allied armies resume their advance. By June 1919, the German army had been entirely demobilized. Moreover, the Allied naval blockade, which contributed to approximately 750,000 civilian deaths by starvation and disease during its duration, remained in place until Germany signed the treaty on June 28, 1919. The following document captures the reaction of Germany’s most important legislative body, the National Assembly of the Germany Republic, to the treaty.

Bauer,1 [Social Democratic Party, acting chancellor]: Ladies and gentlemen!

The Reich president has entrusted me with the formation of a new cabinet, to replace the Scheidemann2 government which has resigned. . . . The resignation of the cabinet resulted from its inability to reach an undivided position regarding the peace treaty that has been presented to us. . . . For each of us who were members of the former government it was a bitterly difficult matter to take a position between feelings of indignation and cold rage. And not less difficult was the decision to join this new government whose first and most pressing task it is to conclude this unjust peace. . . . We are here because of our sense of responsibility, aware that it is our damnable duty to try to salvage what can be salvaged. . . .

No matter how each one of us feels about the question of acceptance or rejection, we are all united about one thing: in strong criticism of this peace treaty (“Very true!”) to which we are being forced to affix our signatures! When this draft was first presented to us, it was greeted with a unanimous protest of indignation and rejection from our people. We defied disappointment and hoped for the indignation of the entire world. . . .

Rejection did not mean averting the treaty. (“Very true!” from the Social Democrats.) A no vote would only have meant a short delay of the yes vote. (“Very true!”) Our ability to resist has been broken; we do not have the capability to avert [signing]. . . . In the name of the national government, ladies and gentlemen, I ask you in view of the circumstances and pending ratification by the National Assembly,3 to sign the peace treaty laid before you! . . .

The government of the German Republic pledges to fulfill the imposed conditions of the peace. The government, however, wishes during this solemn occasion to express its views quite clearly. . . . The imposed conditions exceed the limits of Germany’s ability to comply. . . .

Moreover, we emphatically declare that we cannot accept Article 231 of the peace treaty, which demands that Germany accept responsibility for singly initiating the war. (Applause.)

Gröber,4 delegate of the Center Party: Honored Assembly! The Center Party delegation of the National Assembly wishes to acknowledge the government’s declaration. We accept this program and will support this government and accept [cabinet] participation. . . . We say we are prepared to accept the responsibility of fulfilling its terms as far as is humanly possible, but we do not recognize a responsibility for carrying out conditions that are impossible or intolerable. However, although these are oppressive and hardly fulfillable conditions and will have a detrimental effect on the German people, we must also take other facts into account.

First, the peace will shortly bring hundreds of thousands of prisoners back to German families. . . . Second, the peace will end starvation. . . . Third, only the peace will give us the possibility of economically rebuilding Germany. . . . Fourth, the peace also allows us to maintain our German unity. . . .

Schiffer,5 delegate of the DDP [German Democratic Party]: Contrary to the first two speakers, I wish to declare to this esteemed assembly, that the great majority of my political friends have decided to withhold their approval of the peace treaty laid before us. . . .

Count von Posadowsky,6 delegate of the DNVP [German National People’s Party]: Our Fatherland finds itself in the most difficult hour of its history. The enemy stands before our gates, and in the country there are disconcerting signs of internal breakup. . . . We in our party are aware of the ramifications for our people which a rejection of the peace treaty will entail. (“Very true!” from the right.) The resultant harm, however, will only be temporary, but if we accept this treaty we will abandon countless generations of our people to misery. . . . For us, acceptance of the treaty is impossible for many reasons. . . . In addition to making Germany defenseless, there is also the matter of theft of our territory. . . .

Haase,7 delegate of the USPD [Independent Social Democratic Party]: We know that the peace treaty will bring incredible burdens for our people. . . . Nonetheless, we have no choice but to accept the treaty. Not only will rejection increase the harm, it will moreover mean sure ruin. (Agreement from the Independent Social Democrats.) Our people are in this desperate situation only because of the wicked warmongers and war extenders. . . .

Kahl,8 delegate of the DVP [German People’s Party]: Gentlemen! The German People’s Party unanimously rejects this peace. . . . We reject it because to accept it would mean the destruction of the German state. . . . We reject because we cannot justify the separation of precious segments of German earth, such as the eastern provinces, from the Motherland. . . . Yes, if only we had swords in our hands! (Laughter from the Social Democrats.) Then we would easily find a response! (“Very true” from the right.)

From “Deutsche Parlamentsdebatten” in The Making of Modern Germany, ed. and trans. Benjamin Sax and Dieter Kuntz (Lexington, Mass.: D. C. Heath, 1992), pp. 45-47.