K-225
THE HOUR OF RECKONING
(Die Stunde der Abrechnung in Versailles)
1919, Cast bronze, satirical medallion, 90.9mm, 208.40g.
Obverse: Clemenceau hands the 'Book of Death' (Treaty of Versailles) to the German proxy, Count Brockdorff-Rantzau, to take back to his country. Behind Clemenceau stand Lloyd George, Wilson with clenched fists and apparently standing on an olive branch, Orlando, Foch, and others. In exergue, "Sie verlangen den Frieden, wir sind bereit, ihn zu gewahren" (You asked for peace, we are ready to give it to you.) K•GOETZ on rim at 8:00 o'clock.
Reverse: The German Chancellor Scheidermann, standing on orator's platform, tosses the book asides and shouts, "Einen Frieden des Recht, kienen der Gewalt" (A peace of rights, not of might), as a crowd rejoices at the resolution. Snakes of hatred slither from the pages of the book.
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This piece is also known in the following composition and size:
91mm Cast Bronze, vergoldet
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Created in response to the meeting of Allied and Associated powers and German representatives in Versailles where Germans hear the peace terms from the Entente, which they protested immediately.
Chancellor Scheidemann severely denounced the terms of peace offered to Germany. He resigned soon afterward, having in his speech committed himself too deeply against the Versailles terms to change his attitude so soon again.
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