19 14 Before World War I, the territory of Germany was the largest European country except Russia, covering an area of 540,000 square kilometers. After the signing of the Treaty of Versailles after World War I, Germany ceded about 88,000 square kilometers of territory. As shown in the figure below:
First, recognize the independence of Austria and Luxembourg.
Second, the alsace-lorraine area will be returned to France, and the Saar coal mining area will be entrusted to France 15. Finally, a referendum will be held to decide which country to belong to.
Third, cede Ubon and Salmedi to Belgium.
Fourth, the referendum of North Schleswig returned to Denmark.
Fifth, recognize Poland's independence and give Poland a coastline.
Sixth, East Upper Silesia was assigned to Czechoslovakia.
Seventh, Memmel in East Prussia was allocated to Lithuania.
1936, the territory of Germany was about 460,000-470,000 square kilometers. After World War II, Germany ceded about120,000 square kilometers of land, and now the land area of Germany is 357,376 square kilometers. (A picture of the division of Germany after the two world wars)
The specific rules for transferring land are as follows:
First, East Prussia was occupied (partially) by the former Soviet Union and is now an enclave of Russia-Kaliningrad.
Second, Bohemia in southern Germany was classified as the Czech Republic.
Third, Silesia, Potsdam, Danzig Freeport, part of Brandenburg, Oder River basin, Cheshire and other large territories were assigned to Poland.
Fourth, Alsace and Lorraine were allocated to France.
Fifth, Schleswig was allocated to Denmark.
Sixth, the Soviet Union occupied East Germany, Britain, France and the United States occupied West Germany, Berlin was occupied by districts, and West Berlin occupied by Britain, France and the United States became an enclave.
Why did Germany fight World War II? Since the victory of the Franco-Prussian War in 187 1, Prussia has embarked on the path of militarism. With the development of industry and economy, German soldiers hoped to find "the place under the sun" and "the trident in Poseidon's hand", and re-divided the world structure into local areas and spheres of influence (overseas colonies). Only through war could this goal be achieved, which was also the main motivation for Germany to launch the First World War. Germany defeated France in World War II, and Hitler and his generals were at the Eiffel Tower.
Why did Germany launch World War II again only 20 years after World War I? Personally, I think it is mainly due to the following reasons:
First, German nationalism, which has been severely suppressed.
Looking back at history, the Germans are a very militant nation with strong national self-esteem. If they are severely suppressed, they will definitely rebound, and the whole nation will yearn for Bismarck's militarism and reproduce national glory.
The Treaty of Versailles after World War I was a punitive and retaliatory treaty, which cost Germany 88,000 square kilometers of territory, accounting for 13.5% of the German territory at that time. Lost all the overseas colonies; Lost 12.5% of the population, lost with the cession of territory; 16% of coal mining and over 50% of steel production.
Not to mention that. The victors demanded that Germany pay the compensation of 20 billion marks immediately before May 192 1. At this time, the specific amount of compensation has not yet been decided. All gold, commodities, ships, securities and objects will be paid, and Germany will also bear all the expenses of all the occupying forces on its territory. No military fortifications can be set up within 50 kilometers on both sides of the Rhine.
The main purpose of the victorious country is to punish Germany, weaken Germany once and for all, and make Germany never turn over.
When a country or a nation is under great pressure, there are generally two extreme effects, one is bottoming out, the other is that the pressure is digested and relieved, and the German Germanic nation, as a fighting nation, bottoms out under heavy pressure.
After World War II, Americans analyzed and studied the national revenge of Germany's war, and adopted a completely different approach from that after World War I.. They carried out "Marshall Plan" to assist the development of European countries including Germany (West Germany), which gradually melted and disintegrated this national revenge and achieved very good results. (Photo of Soviet occupation of Berlin)
Second, the world economic crisis of 1929 shattered the hopes of the Germans.
In order to pay off debts, Germany desperately plundered people's wealth, and people's lives were difficult. Most enterprise groups are struggling, and the entire German economy is facing collapse at any time.
1929 The world economic crisis that broke out from the United States hit the whole capitalist world, and the struggling German economy was even worse. German industrial production fell by 40%, agricultural production fell by 30%, 6 million people lost their jobs, bank enterprises closed down, and social class contradictions in Germany intensified.
Third, when Hitler came to power, fascism was promoted.
The Treaty of Versailles seriously hurt Germany's national pride and was called "the butcher's contract" by the Germans. In addition, with the intensification of the economic crisis, Germany's national crisis has also intensified.
At this time, Germany provided soil for the Nazi movement. Hitler successfully mobilized the German people's hatred of the Treaty of Versailles, and turned passionate nationalism into national revenge. At this time, the weak Weimar Republic has been abandoned by the German people, who need a new strong government and a new tough country. In the process of Hitler's growth and development, most German enterprises chose to support Hitler, such as Krupp, Siemens and Mercedes-Benz. And enterprises are also facing despair.
Hitler was the representative of German national revanchism and was regarded as the leader of German revival. After Hindenburg's death 1934, Hitler took control of the German party, government and army.
At the beginning of taking office, Hitler actively developed the economy, especially the military industry, broke the imprisonment of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany and formed an army. By 1935, he has established a military force that can expand abroad. 1936 In March, the Germans entered the demilitarized zone of the Rhine River for protection. Since then, Hitler has pulled Germany into the chariot of World War II.
This war was a gamble made by Hitler when evaluating the military strength of European countries at that time. As for the final outcome of the war, it is difficult for anyone to draw a conclusion. Only after fighting will we know the result. Neither side of the war will go to war in anticipation of its own failure. Hitler was very optimistic about the prospect of war!