How did the German population react to the Treaty of Versailles?

The response of the German population to the Treaty of Versailles was characterized by a widespread sense of betrayal by their leaders. After World War I, many Germans believed they had been misled about the war’s causes and outcomes, and when the terms of the Treaty were made public, they perceived them as harsh and humiliating. The treaty imposed significant territorial losses, military restrictions, and reparations that many Germans felt were unjustly punitive.

This sentiment was fueled by the belief that their leaders had promised a peace based on President Wilson’s Fourteen Points, which were perceived to offer a fair settlement. The actual treaty contrasted starkly with these expectations, leading to a sense of disillusionment and anger among the population. As a result, rather than supporting the Treaty or viewing it as necessary for peace, many viewed it as a betrayal that would lead to long-term ramifications, both politically and socially in Germany.