 On 16 June , the Allied Powers demanded that Germany unconditionally sign the treaty within seven days or face the resumption of hostilities . The German government was divided on whether to sign or reject the peace treaty . On 19 June , Chancellor Philipp Scheidemann resigned rather than sign the treaty and was followed by Brockdorff @-@ Rantzau and other members of the government , leaving Germany without a cabinet or peace delegation . After being advised by Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg that Germany was in no condition to resume the war , President Friedrich Ebert and the new Chancellor , Gustav Bauer , recommended that the Weimar National Assembly ratify the treaty . The Assembly did so by a large majority , and Clemenceau was informed nineteen minutes before the deadline expired . Germany unconditionally signed the peace treaty on 22 June . 
