The Treaty of Versailles was a treaty that ended the war between Germany and the Allied Powers. On June 28, 1919, the treaty ended World War One. It wasmainly focused on punishing Germany,because the Allies believed Germanyhad started the war. Some think that this led to WWII.
President Wilson believed the treaty should consist of 14 points.
- End to secret treaties
- Free trade
- Freedom of the seas
- End to colonial claims
- Disarmament
- Restoration of France
- Self determination for all countries
- Restoration of Belgium
- Readjustment of Italy’s boundaries
- Opportunity for Austria-Hungary to become more developed
- Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro to be evacuated and restored
- Poland given independence
- Turkey be sovereign
- “League of Nations” be developed
Many of these were never fulfilled.
The treaty drastically altered the geographical map of Europe, mostly aimed at Germany. 17% of its farmland, 13% of its livestock, and 10% of its factories were takenaway. The overall size of Germanywas reduced 13%.
The treaty also stated that Germany pay for all war damages inflicted on other countries during the war. The debt owed amounted to £6,600 million, an extensive amount which was impossible to pay. It also basicallytook away Germany’smilitary.
President Wilson pushed for a “League of Nations”, a peace organization that would consist of the Allied powers. Everyone wasn’t really feeling the League of Nations at first, but allthe allies joined eventually…except America. We instead made adifferent peace treaty with Germany,the Treaty of Berlin.
Germany went through a major depression because of the Treaty of Versailles. Unemployment skyrocketed and many people joined the Communist party. Many joined theNational Socialist Party because they lost faith in the government with itagreed with the Treaty of Versailles. Adolf Hitler, the leader of this party,gained power rapidly. This is why I think it may have led to WWII. Germanywanted revenge for the harsh dealings of the Treaty of Versailles, and foundHitler would give them that revenge.
Sources:
http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0215466/treaty_of_versailles.htm
http://www.schoolshistory.org.uk/ASLevel_History/week4_versailles.htm
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