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Year 11
Edexcel

Early unrest and the Treaty of Versailles

I can explain why there was opposition to the Treaty of Versailles in Germany.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Early unrest and the Treaty of Versailles

I can explain why there was opposition to the Treaty of Versailles in Germany.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The Weimar Republic faced early opposition for a variety of reasons.
  2. The government was blamed for signing the Armistice, accused of 'stabbing the army in the back'.
  3. Many Germans felt the Treaty of Versailles was harsh and hated the government for agreeing to it.
  4. The treaty forced Germany to pay hefty reparations and give up territory.
  5. Germany's armed forces were significantly reduced and the Rhineland was demilitarised.

Keywords

  • Dolchstoss - the theory that the German army had been ‘stabbed in the back’ and betrayed by Weimar politicians

  • Treaty - a written agreement between two or more countries, formally approved and signed by their leaders

  • Diktat - an order that must be obeyed, or the act of giving such an order

  • Reparations - payments made by a defeated nation after a war to pay for damages or expenses it caused to another nation

Common misconception

The belief that the 'stab-in-the-back' theory was based on factual evidence.

The theory was a narrative promoted by the military elite to distance themselves from the Armistice surrender. Germany's defeat was primarily due to military exhaustion and economic collapse, not treachery by Weimar politicians.


To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: Early unrest and the Treaty of Versailles, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use a map to show pre- and post-Treaty of Versailles Germany. Have pupils mark territorial losses, military reductions, etc. Lead a discussion on how the material losses and public acceptance of guilt may have had an impact on public morale.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why was the inclusion of proportional representation significant in the new Weimar constitution?
It excluded extreme political parties from gaining power.
Correct answer: It ensured all political views could be represented.
It guaranteed a single-party majority in government.
Q2.
What was one major challenge of the proportional representation system?
Correct answer: It caused fragmented coalitions and unstable governments.
It excluded smaller political parties.
It made voting mandatory for all citizens.
Q3.
Match the terms to their correct definitions.
Correct Answer:coalition,a partnership of different parties to form a government

a partnership of different parties to form a government

Correct Answer:constitution,a set of fundamental principles or laws that govern a nation

a set of fundamental principles or laws that govern a nation

Correct Answer:moderate,someone who avoids extremes and seeks compromise

someone who avoids extremes and seeks compromise

Q4.
The Weimar constitution ensured there was a division of power between the president, chancellor, and the __________.
Correct Answer: Reichstag, Parliament
Q5.
What was a potential risk of Article 48 in the Weimar Constitution?
Correct answer: It could be used to undermine democracy.
It enabled the Reichstag to bypass elections.
It weakened the president’s power.
Q6.
Why did Ebert retain many old establishment figures in their positions?
Correct answer: To gain the support of conservatives and ensure stability.
To promote radical change in Germany’s government.
To show that the republic was against democratic ideas.

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
The signing of the __________ on November 1918, was met with resentment by many Germans, as it shattered the illusion of victory and was seen as a betrayal by the Weimar politicians.
Correct Answer: Armistice, peace treaty, WW1 peace treaty, WWI peace treaty, First World War peace treaty
Q2.
What was one reason many Germans believed the Treaty of Versailles was harsh?
It banned Germany from producing literature.
Correct answer: It forced Germany to give up territory.
It required the Kaiser to abdicate.
Q3.
What does the term 'Dolchstoss' mean in the context of post-war Germany?
A dictated peace agreement.
Disarmament of the German military.
Correct answer: The 'stab-in-the-back' theory.
Q4.
The Treaty of Versailles declared the Rhineland a zone.
Correct Answer: demilitarised, demilitarized
Q5.
Which statement best describes Germany's role in the Treaty of Versailles?
Germany helped negotiate the terms of the treaty.
Germany proposed the War Guilt Clause to take responsibility for the war.
Correct answer: Germany was excluded from negotiations and forced to sign the treaty.
Q6.
The Treaty of Versailles required Germany to reduce its army to troops.
Correct Answer: 100000, 100 000, 100,000, one hundred thousand

Additional material

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