The Treaty Of Versailles And The Great Period Of Peace

What responsibility did each of the “Big Three” have for the failure of the Versailles Treaty to bring peace to Europe? Be sure to discuss what each wanted to accomplish.

What if you were forced to pay a neighbor millions of dollars and do anything they wanted you to do? When Germany lost World War I. The Treaty Of Versailles was established by, the United States, Great Britain, France, and other allied states to impose on Germany's territory military, and finances. The Treaty Of Versailles supported the cause of World War 2 by forcing Germany to pay unfair amounts of reparations (Document C).

WWI and the Versailles Treaty had only a marginal (limited) relationship to the world Depression of the 1930s

Thesis: The peace treaty that resulted from World War 1 was not too harsh of a punishment for the offenses committed.

Ninety-eight years ago, after the fighting of World War I subsided, the Treaty of Versailles (“the Treaty”) was signed at the Palace of Versailles in France by the Allied powers and Germany. The compromise of the Treaty is that it ended World War I. The conflict of the Treaty is that it fed the German’s hate for the Allied Powers and, in turn, was the cause of World War II. “In their hearts was a stern resolution that the fiasco of November 11, 1918, would not be repeated for all serious people in America, as in all nations, remembered that much hailed Versailles Treaty was sown the very seeds of World War II” (Library Of Congress. Manzanar free press, November 12, 1942. 1942. Newspaper. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/sn84025948/1942-11-12/ed-1/. )

The first World War had devastated the balance of the 20th century with effects still felt today. The war had obliterated once powerful imperial dynasties, birthed new states from the fallen imperial powers, supported the idea of independence in European colonies, and led to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. Yet, it brought hope to the newly independent territories and minority groups, while plunging a heavy recession to countries that were once world powers. The war ended with the defeat of the Central Powers (German Empire, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Ottoman Empire, and the Russian Empire) and the signage of the Versailles Treaty. This treaty along with the League of Nations was created to prevent another global crusade from happening again, but failed and led to World War II, which started only twenty years after the Treaty of Versailles was endorsed. And even with end of the Great War, it was evident that the world would never return to how it once was, four years earlier, in 1914. The destructive warfare brought out several unnerving and irreversible social and economic consequences that shook modern society for decades to come.

Sick Man of Europe: In the early 20th century, the Ottoman Empire was referred to as the “sick man of Europe”, a name implying that the once great power was falling. This term was first used by Nicholas I of Russia and has since been used to describe many European countries during financial difficulties or poverty. It was applied to the Ottoman Empire as it was progressively deteriorating under the financial control of the European powers and had lost territory in a sequence of devastating wars.

The Great War, or World War I, was the first modern warfare and the first total war in which almost everyone participated in it, both directly or indirectly. After the war, President Woodrow Wilson hoped that the Great War will be a war to “end all wars”; unfortunately, almost twenty years later, World War II erupted in Europe and the world plunged into an even deadlier war. With the end of World War I, the Treaty of Versailles was drafted to secure peace throughout Europe, but the cruel and unreasonable terms made World War II almost inevitable.

Government and politics- The rancor in the Germans, the fragility of the Weimar system, fear brought by soldiers in violent Nazi military groups, and Hitler’s intellectual speeches; is what encouraged Hitler’s rise to power. During the Great Depression in Germany, people wanted someone to fault, and searched for a way out- Hitler provided them with what they wanted. Germany and Italy were angry at the results of the Treaty of Versailles. Fascism gave them control, in all characteristics, of the state. Benito Mussolini was the first leader to establish Fascism. During the Great Depression the growth of population required tremendous food imports. The high tariffs and racism of other countries against Japan restricted the exporting of goods. Consequently, Japanese surmised that that broadening through armed acquisition would resolve Japans financial complications. This time of despair affected the US as well. Americans feared entering another war and therefore turned into isolationism.

As a result of World War I, Germany was forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles, made to pay for the war, and had to disarm themselves, which directly led into World War II. Germany went down the tubes after they were forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles. There economy crashed and there money had just about no value. Many people that World War II was just a 20 year break from World War I. They were right because just about 20 years later World War II started. There are many things that could contribute to starting the war but these are the main point and the most recognized.

There is a fine line between a grand leader and an absolute tyrant. Germany was unfairly accused of World War 1 and all the unfortunate deaths and destructions that occurred. They were solely blamed and not given a chance to recover because they were forced to sign a peace treaty, the Treaty of Versailles, which began the downfall of Germany. Before World War 1, Germans were incredibly proud of their heritage; however, compared to after World War 1 the people were seen with their heads hung in shame and humiliation. Everyone felt lost afterward and Germany was completely damaged, leaving a feeling of heartbreak, disillusionment, and sadness. In the end, it resulted in Adolf Hitler turning Germany into a totalitarian state. The most vital components that led to Hitler achieving power in Germany were World War 1 consequences, instability, and a charismatic leader.

invaded, but years of war had taken a toll on Germany and it could not

The early twentieth century was a chaotic and violent period that left Europe on the brink of total collapse. The aftermath of “the war to end all wars” was devastating. With seventeen million people dead, and twenty million wounded, World War I was one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. European leaders gathered at the Conference of Versailles in an attempt to broker a Treaty that would end the war, and help rebalance Europe. Yet, the Treaty was doomed to failure, as French representative George Clemence, and British representative Lloyd George looked to politically destroy Germany. Despite the fact that Austria-Hungary played a larger part in the war, these leaders held Germany almost entirely responsible, and used the conference as a backdrop to try to humiliate and destabilize Germany. Only President Woodrow Wilson, of the United States, sought to broker an agreement that was both fair and reasonable to the Germans, who began to see Wilson as their only hope against the vengeful French and British representatives. Unfortunately, Wilson could not garner peace, and his failure ultimately contributed to causing World War II. His inability to create a fair and reasonable Treaty cultivated German anger and resentment towards the rest of the world, and left them financially and emotionally vulnerable to the malicious dictator, Adolf Hitler.

The Successes and Failures of the Treaty of Versailles in Addressing the Causes of Conflict and Restoring Peace and Normality

The Paris Peace Conference took place in January 1919 at Versailles near Paris. The purpose of the gathering was to build up peace after World War I. In spite of the fact that about thirty countries took part, the agents of the United Kingdom, France, the United States, and Italy wound up noticeably known as the "Enormous Four." The "Huge Four" commanded the procedures that prompted the detailing of the Treaty of Versailles, a settlement that finished World War I. The Treaty of Versailles explained the bargains came to at the meeting.