1. Territorial Losses: Germany lost significant territories, including Alsace-Lorraine to France, Eupen-Malmédy to Belgium, North Schleswig to Denmark, and West Prussia, Posen, and Upper Silesia to Poland.
2. Economic Burden: The treaty imposed heavy reparations on Germany, which amounted to 132 billion gold marks. These reparations were due over several decades and contributed to economic instability and resentment.
3. War Guilt Clause: Article 231 of the treaty, known as the "war guilt clause," held Germany responsible for starting World War I. This provision was deeply resented by many Germans and seen as a humiliation.
4. Disarmament: The German military was severely restricted, with the army limited to 100,000 men and the air force and navy abolished.
5. Political Instability: The treaty contributed to political divisions within Germany, fueling extremist movements, including the rise of the Nazi Party under Adolf Hitler.
6. Territorial Changes: The treaty created several new nations from the former German Empire, including Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia.
Effects of the Treaty of Versailles on the Soviet Union:
1. Loss of Territories: The treaty had little impact on the newly established Soviet Union, as it did not recognize the Bolshevik government and focused primarily on Germany.
2. Territorial Gains: After World War I, the Soviet Union engaged in territorial expansion, regaining control over some territories that had been part of the former Russian Empire.
3. Diplomatic Isolation: The Soviet Union was initially excluded from the negotiations at the Paris Peace Conference and faced economic blockades and international sanctions.
4. Trade and Economic Restrictions: The Soviet Union faced trade restrictions and economic pressures from Western powers due to its revolutionary communist ideology.
5. Territorial Tensions with Poland: The border disputes between Poland and the Soviet Union, concerning areas such as Western Ukraine and Belarus, led to strained relations and periodic conflicts.
Overall, the Treaty of Versailles had a devastating impact on Germany, contributing to economic instability, territorial losses, political unrest, and the rise of Nazism. In contrast, its effects on the Soviet Union were less direct, as the country was preoccupied with its own internal political and economic challenges during that period.