Chapter 4: The Peace Treaty
No! I would rather die on the front lines than accept defeat! The British! The French! And those damned Americans!" Hitler exclaimed, shaking his fist in excitement
Amidst Hitler's cries of anguish and Akado's consolation, the First World War came to an end, the German war machine was dismantled, and humiliation and indignation permeated all of Germany
"Oh God, what are You saying? His Majesty the Emperor, he..." Hitler stared blankly at the old pastor, and Akado noticed that his lips were trembling, his voice even somewhat distorted. Those who have not experienced the imperial system cannot comprehend this heartfelt admiration and obedience, yet this sentiment undeniably exists, sometimes even profoundly.
Another young man, Akado, uttered a forgotten phrase: "Germany will surely conquer the world"
Regardless of the reasons, the creators of the Versailles Treaty sought to permanently diminish Germany's formidable military power. They destroyed or dismantled most of Germany's weapons and arms production facilities, particularly prohibiting Germany from possessing the four new types of weapons that emerged during World War I: aircraft, tanks, submarines, and poison gas
The wounded soldiers began to shout: "Akado! Akado!"
History will ultimately remember today. On this night, a corporal named Adolf Hitler wrote the following words: "Whether to enter politics or continue as an architect, I once hesitated, but now I no longer hesitate. Tonight, I have made up my mind to enter politics"
Get out! The wounded soldiers in the room were stirred up with fighting spirit; they were more willing to accept that they were heroes, a notion that has at least now taken root in their hearts
The beginning and end of war seem to have no connection with ordinary individuals; World War I commenced with the assassination of a crown prince and ended in a muddled manner with signatures from a group of high officials
Since the military leaders have assumed responsibility, the National Assembly finally approved the signing of the treaty by an overwhelming majority. This decision was communicated to Clemenceau, the representative of the Allied Powers in Berlin, just 19 minutes before the deadline for the ultimatum. Four days later, on June 28, the victorious Allies signed the Treaty of Versailles, and the German government approved the terms of the treaty without much delay. The conditions were harsh. Germany was forced to solely bear the responsibility for causing the war and to compensate for all the damages caused by the war. Four days later, on June 28, the victorious Allies signed the Treaty of Versailles, and the German government approved the terms of the treaty without much delay. The conditions were harsh. Germany was forced to solely bear the responsibility for causing the war and to compensate for all the damages caused by the war. Just 19 minutes before the deadline set by the Allied Powers, the German government finally yielded, although the German Social Democratic President Friedrich Ebert believed that this agreement was "unachievable and unaffordable."
Get out! Hitler received strong reinforcements, shouting loudly
The treaty stipulates that Germany cedes a portion of Schleswig to Denmark. Some areas previously controlled by Germany are either occupied by the Allied forces or placed under the administration of the newly established League of Nations
"Mr. Akado, you are a true German, a genuine German soldier." Hitler heard Akado's murmurs, and at that moment, his face was already covered in tears. He spoke in a choked voice, like a child who had lost his father
Everyone's hopes for a drastic political change in the later stages of the war, specifically the abolition of the autocratic rule of the German Emperor Wilhelm II and the implementation of a parliamentary democracy to alleviate the severity of the defeat's sanctions, were completely dashed
On November 11, Germany surrendered in the Compiègne Forest
Yes, despair; Hitler was already in despair. The war he had high hopes for had failed, his spiritual support had collapsed, and he no longer knew why he continued to live or why he breathed
Germany will surely conquer the world! Akado pressed his lips together and softly uttered this weighty vow
Ladies and gentlemen, I am Pastor Bogle, and I regret to inform you that the Hohenzollern City Council no longer displays the German crown, as Germany has become a republic. This elderly pastor spoke these words with great difficulty
Observing the bustling crowd around him, Akado murmured softly: "God, if I must kneel to survive, then grant me a longsword; I would rather hold it and die on the battlefield fighting for freedom"
Indeed, the First World War, much like those in history, came to a hasty conclusion amid the compromises of a group of politicians. The German soldiers, still anticipating a counterattack at dawn, received instead the order to retreat
This treaty is nothing short of an insult. A visionary American senator pointed out: "This is not a peace treaty; it harbors at least 11 wars within it." Therefore, the Treaty of Versailles was not ratified by the United States Senate
The Treaty of Versailles stipulated that Germany must return the regions of Alsace and Lorraine acquired during the Franco-Prussian War
War does not change due to the indignation of a minor character. On the third day, specifically November 9, 1918, an old pastor arrived in the small town of Bassevalk in Pomerania, delivering astonishing news to Hitler and others who were preparing to return to the front lines
The treaty stipulates that after the contracting states withdraw from the Rhine River region, it will become a demilitarized zone, and Germany shall not station troops or construct military works there
Akado! Hitler, having found an outlet for his frustrations, raised his right hand and shouted.
"Being angry is of no use," Akado said with a smile. "Every ideology has its reason for existence. By this point in the war, indeed, there are not many people who still support it."
Let us set aside the wild words of the youth; in another corner of the world, the politicians of the coalition are racking their brains to give Germany a surprise
The treaty stipulates that Germany cedes a substantial portion of its eastern territory to Poland, thereby granting Poland access to the sea. East Prussia becomes an exclave, no longer bordering Germany.
Certainly, the treaty also stipulated that Germany would lose all of its overseas colonies, and in addition, the German government was required to pay substantial war reparations to the Allied powers
The most severe blow fell upon the German army, as these proud soldiers, who possess the Prussian military tradition, were harshly exploited
On May 7, 1919, the contents of the Treaty of Versailles were made public, shocking the German people with its harsh terms. Everyone was filled with righteous indignation, feeling as though they had been betrayed
With a hand on Hitler's shoulder, Akado fixed a determined gaze on the weeping private, the force of his words shaking the buttons and medals on both their uniforms: "We must do something, or Germany will be destroyed by those fools!"
If the treaty is rejected, will the German army be able to resist the inevitable offensive from the Allies in the West? The President posed this question to the German High Command. Ebert stated, "If the High Command believes there is some possibility of military resistance being successful, I will endeavor to persuade the parliament to reject the treaty."
"What belief?" Hitler looked at Akado with confusion
Before the First World War, the German Army had a strength of 2 million troops, but the treaty would reduce such a large German Army to merely 100,000 by the early 1920s. Enlistment must be voluntary, and the system of universal conscription must be abolished
Hitler collapsed, and the infantry regiment he belonged to in Austria was disbanded. While he was envisioning shedding the last drop of blood for Germany, the prominent figures in Germany shamelessly surrendered
Akado wanted to deliver a grand speech to vehemently criticize the old pastor before him, just as he had imagined a few days ago. However, he realized that everything was pale and powerless in the face of the impending reality of history. The German Emperor had indeed stepped down from his historical stage, yet the stage and the narrative belonging to Germany's pinnacle had not yet been unveiled.
The treaty also includes steps to weaken the German armed forces. According to the terms, Germany must surrender all of its existing 14,000 aircraft to the Allied forces or dismantle them on-site. The navy will only symbolically retain 15,000 personnel, equipped with old battleships, light cruisers, destroyers, and torpedo boats produced before World War I. Furthermore, most merchant ships have been confiscated as war reparations.
With a sharp clang, a steel lunchbox was thrown onto the floor. Sitting next to Akado, Hitler complained in exasperation: "These damned Bolsheviks! One day, I will capture them all! Hang them all!"
Looking around, many people have already fallen to their knees, crying. Some are shouting loudly, and everyone is clearly very upset and sorrowful about the sudden collapse of the empire to which they had sworn allegiance. There is even a more severe emotion present—despair.
We are entering politics! Akado said firmly: "With the trend of people breaking traditions, we can gain many supporters! We are different from the old aristocrats and politicians; we have advanced ideas, and more importantly, we have a stronger belief!"
On May 7, 1919, in the second year, the Allied Powers unilaterally announced the Treaty of Versailles in Berlin without consulting Germany. For a nation whose people were still indulging in fantasies until the very last moment, this was a shocking blow
The young man standing on the chair took a step back, missed his footing, and fell to the ground, provoking a burst of laughter. Three young individuals ran out of the wounded soldiers' hall amidst the laughter.
On June 16, the Allied Powers issued an ultimatum to Germany, demanding that Germany accept the treaty by the 24th; otherwise, the armistice would become invalid, and the Allied Powers would "take the steps they deem necessary to achieve their conditions"
Field Marshal Hindenburg made the following response to Eber: "At this moment, as hostilities resume, we are capable of recapturing the Province of Poznań and holding the eastern border. However, in the west, it is difficult to expect that we can withstand the powerful offensive of the enemy, as the Allies have the advantage in manpower and are capable of encircling us on both flanks. Therefore, overall, the success of military operations is quite questionable. However, as a soldier, I cannot help but feel that rather than accepting a disgraceful peace, it is better to die honorably on the battlefield"
German citizens took to the streets to protest this agreement, as Germany was defeated in a confused manner during a time of potential war, and being humiliated to such an extent as a defeated nation is something that no one can tolerate
Akado stepped forward, pointing with his left hand at the Iron Cross medal on his chest. The back of his left hand was covered in congealed scars, which looked shocking. He noticed that the three individuals took a small step back. He spoke again: "The people here are heroes willing to shed blood for this country, yet you wish to persuade them to accept humiliation for the sake of a hypocritical peace"
What can we do? Hitler felt somewhat lost; he had thoughts of entering politics, but those noble figures and established politicians were immensely powerful. He simply could not defeat such formidable opponents with the rank of a private and his status as a commoner
The young man, who began with "No, no," stuttered slightly, clearly intimidated by Akado's imposing presence
However, the most important part of this contract, which exceeds 75,000 words and contains up to 440 clauses, is still related to the disarmament of Germany
The General Staff, which has produced countless renowned generals in Germany, has been completely abolished; military academies have been disbanded; the use of tanks, heavy artillery, and poison gas is prohibited; and the contracts even contain meticulous regulations regarding the quantity of light weapons such as machine guns and rifles, as well as ammunition.
The military stated that armed resistance would yield no results and would lead to the annihilation of the precious officer corps of the army, potentially even resulting in the destruction of Germany itself