World War I reparations

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

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Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/world-war-i-reparations

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the treaty of versailles ratification?1919. Established the initial framework for WWI reparations
2. What is the london schedule of payments?1921. Set Germany's initial reparation obligation at 132 billion gold marks
3. What were World War I reparations and why did Germany have to pay them?After World War I, the Allied Powers made Germany pay reparations because the Treaty of Versailles said Germany was responsible for the war’s damage. The law in Article 231, called the War Guilt Clause, gave the Allies the right to demand this payment.
4. How much money did Germany have to pay and what was it used for?In 1921 Germany was asked to pay 132 billion gold marks. The money was meant to help rebuild countries like France and Belgium and to keep Germany from becoming too strong again.

War Guilt Clause (Article 231): A provision in the Treaty of Versailles that blamed Germany and its allies for causing WWI.
Hyperinflation: A rapid and extreme increase in prices, causing money to lose its value very quickly.
Carthaginian Peace: A harsh and punitive peace treaty that crushes the defeated party, named after ancient Rome's destruction of Carthage.