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Source 3 Transcript    Useful notes 
Comments of the German leaders on the draft terms of the Treaty of Versailles, 7 May 1919
(Catalogue ref: FO 374/19)
  3a   3b   3c              
  3a   3b   3c              
FO 374/19; German comments on the draft terms of the Treaty of Versailles, May 1919

How to use this source:

Study this source carefully. It contains information that could be helpful in deciding why it was so hard to make peace. As you study the source, ask yourself:

  • In extract 3a, what is the German view of Germany's position in May 1919?
  • Do the Germans appear to accept that they were to blame for the war?
  • In extract 3b, what is the German attitude towards the war crimes that Germany is accused of?
  • What is the German attitude towards Belgium?
  • Does extract 3b suggest Germany is bitter about the Allied blockade?
  • How would you describe the tone of extract 3c?
  • Does this source seem to agree more closely with French views (source 1 in this case study) or British views (source 2)?

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