History of Europe

How much land did Germany lost in world war 1?

The German Reich lost significant territory as a result of its defeat in World War I. The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, outlined the losses that Germany incurred:

1. Alsace-Lorraine: Germany ceded the region of Alsace-Lorraine to France. This region had been part of the German Empire since 1871.

2. North Schleswig: Germany gave up North Schleswig to Denmark as a result of a plebiscite held in the area.

3. Eupen-Malmédy: Belgium gained control over the Eupen-Malmédy region, which was previously part of Germany.

4. West Prussia, Posen, and Upper Silesia: Germany lost significant portions of West Prussia, Posen, and Upper Silesia to Poland. These areas had substantial German populations.

5. Danzig (Gdańsk): The city of Danzig (Gdańsk) and the surrounding area were transformed into a free city under the supervision of the League of Nations.

6. Saar: The Saar region was placed under the control of the League of Nations for 15 years. After the plebiscite, the region was reunited with Germany in 1935.

7. Overseas Colonies: Germany lost all its overseas colonies, which included territories in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.

The total land area that Germany lost as a result of the Treaty of Versailles is estimated to be approximately 13% of its pre-war territory. These territorial changes had significant political, economic, and social impacts on Germany and contributed to the resentment and revanchist sentiments that would later fuel the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.