The Treaty of Versailles sought to cripple once and for all the military strength of Germany. In this context answer the following questions:

(a) What did the Allied Powers do to curb German Militarism (or to reduce strength of the German army)?

(b) Is it correct to say that the Treaty of Versailles subjected Germany to the harshest possible conditions?
Or
The Treaty of Versailles came in for severe criticism. What was the main criticism against it?

(a) In order to prevent future aggression Germany's military strength was crippled.

1. The German army was restricted to a force of 1,00,000 soldiers, the Navy was limited to 15,000 men and 36 ships and the Air Force was totally banned.
2. No submarines were to be allowed.
3. Germany was neither to make nor to purchase from outside tanks and armoured cars.

(b) The Treaty of Versailles was undoubtedly a "dictated peace", one that would assign all the war guilt to Germany.

1. The principle at the root of the Treaty was: "To the Victors belong the Spoils and the Allies are the Victors."
2. The German representatives had to sign the Treaty under coercion.
3. The Treaty of Versailles deprived Germany of all its colonial possessions and imposed enormous compensation in the form of war damages.
4. Her military strength was completely crushed.
5. The peace arrangements, therefore, broke down and Germany under Hitler showed aggression in its political activities.
6. This became an important cause of World War II.