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Gentri Pitts
Mr. Smith
Graduation Project
December 19, 2012
The Treaty of Versailles: Ending One War and Starting Another
Though officially referred to as World War ΙΙ, a more appropriate term for the second
major global conflict of the 20th Century is World War Ι, Part Two. Though the Treaty of
Versailles was originally meant to function as a recognition of peace after the Great War,
unimaginable results would stem from the prevention-driven document ironically intended to
ensure that such a cataclysmic war would never happen again. Of the document's 440 articles,
414 were specifically dedicated to punishing Germany for its role in World War 1 (The War Guilt
Clause). Germany had the choice to either accept the Treaty and terms outlined, or face another
Allied invasion. A dominant driving force involving the cause of World War ΙΙ was the 1919
Peace Treaty of Versailles, which angered the general public of Germany by reallocating land
boundaries, drastically limiting the German military and establishing financial penalties, creating
a dangerous atmospheric combination of a desire for revenge and a state of susceptibility.
World War Ι officially ended with a defeat for the Central Powers in November of 1918.
Austria-Hungary was dissolved, and the Ottoman Empire was broken into smaller countries (The
Treaty of Versailles). Though the war that claimed the lives of millions and destroyed entire
cities and families was officially over, the resulting world atmosphere was devastation. The
world would never be the same, but to get things back on track would take post-war efforts and
time. The Great War ended with an Allied victory that left the defeated nations at the mercy of
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their victors. Germany was particularly devastated by the losing of the war, and post-war
proceedings quickly came under way.
One such plan for dealing with the post-war circumstances was devised by American
President Woodrow Wilson. Infamously referred to as Wilson's Fourteen Points, the plan was
reviewed by other Allied leaders. The goal of the plan was to address what ought to be done with
Germany in regards to World War Ι and the role the Germany had played. Wilson's Fourteen
Points suggested open diplomacy, free trade, the establishment of the League of Nations, and
regards to various other countries involved or affected by the Great War (Long Term Causes).
Many people viewed Wilson's Fourteen Points as too lenient, and Germany was somewhat
expecting the terms outlined by Wilson to be brought into effect.
However, when three other Allied countries met with Wilson to discuss the matter of
dealing with Germany, the final agreement did not look much like the Fourteen Points. Called
the Big Four, Lloyd George of England, Orlando of Italy, Clemenceau of France and Wilson of
the United States came up with another plan (The Treaty of Versailles). For a while they
discussed the terms that each nation felt appropriate. France supported the harsh punishment of
Germany, while the other three nations each believed less harsh terms should be met. By the time
an agreement was reached, the final terms were not much like American President Wilson's
Fourteen Points.
The Treaty of Versailles was the name given to the agreement that was met, and German
diplomats were summoned to sign the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919 (Kitchen). The
signing of the Treaty was held in France, more than half a year after the end of World War Ι.
Though Germany did not necessarily want to sign the peace treaty that outlined many
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undesirable terms in regards to Germany, the diplomats did not have much of a choice. If
Germany did not sign the Treaty of Versailles, then they would be faced with another Allied
invasion. Since another war not something that Germany could reasonably engage in, the Treaty
of Versailles was signed (Long Term Causes).
The Treaty of Versailles contains 440 clauses, with 414 dedicated to addressing the
punishment Germany would face for World War Ι. In fact, Article 231 of the Treaty is referred to
as the "War Guilt Clause” (The War Guilt Clause). This states that, by signing, Germany accepts
full responsibility for starting World War Ι. Upon accepting blame for World War Ι, also referred
to as the Great War, all following terms of the Treaty of Versailles would be justified. This added
insult to injury to the people of Germany. Article 231 was considered a taunting gesture from the
perspective of the German people, as unease was growing amongst citizens.
In addition to accepting all the blame for starting the war, Germany also faced more
financially crippling terms. By signing the Treaty of Versailles, Germany agreed to face
reparations (Hacken and Plotke). However, the sum was not initially agreed upon that Germany
would pay in reparations throughout the upcoming decades. After fighting a war and losing many
German workers, the financial status of the German government was poor. This also angered the
German people, and was a major component of the opposition to the terms of the Treaty of
Versailles.
It is crucial to consider the financial impact of the Treaty of Versailles in regard to
Germany immediately following World War Ι. Though it was extremely apparent that the Treaty
had immediately angered the German people, the actual price to be paid was not determined and
settled upon until two years later in 1921 (Castillo). Initial figures were disputed heavily, and
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finally it was decided that the country of Germany was to pay £6.6 billion (Clare). Of course the
financial compensation was not due to the Allies and affected countries all at once, but it was still
money that Germany did not have. Germany just recently paid back the total amount due as of
2010 (Clare). This angered Germany and during the rise and rule of the Third Reich, no
payments were made in direct retaliation of the Treaty. Though no longer in debt, money was a
major factor is sparking the Second World War as a result of the Treaty of Versailles.
The main terms of the Treaty of Versailles can be broken down into four categories
illustrating the punishment of Germany. These categories include: blame, territory, military, and
financial reparations (Kitchen). The acronym BRAT can be used to describe the terms. Blame,
reparations, army, and territory summarize the main points that the Treaty aimed to address.
Within the category of territory, some of the boundaries of Europe were redrawn.
Germany lost land to neighboring countries. As various allotments of land were given to another
country, citizens of Germany were also displaced. This obviously led to confusion and even
uproar, and more importantly in the decades to come, an unjust sense of nationality taken away.
In addition to citizens becoming displaced as a result of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany
was forbidden from joining into one country with Austria. Although this was not as significant
from the perspective of German citizens, it was taken as a display of power that the Treaty of
Versailles' terms held over the affairs of Germany. In addition to the displacement of citizens and
forbidden concept of joining countries with Austria, territorial losses were also economic losses.
Land equals resources, but especially in the coalmines that were given to France. In blatant
terms, the loss of land was despised among the general public of Germany (German Territorial).
The territorial losses of Germany as a direct requisition of the Treaty of Versailles were a
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heavy blow to Germany. One of the major losses to Germany was the Rhineland, however there
were other significant losses as well that are not determined in severity of loss by square miles,
but by location, vitality and reputation of the area. For example, the Saar region in the West was
given to France. Despite the relatively small size of this territory, it was important to Germany
because it contained rich coal mines. In the north a small section of land was given to Denmark.
Other pieces of land were given to countries such as Czechoslovakia and Belgium (Magana).
However, a large blow resulted in the lost of a great deal of land to Poland, cutting Germany off
from East Prussia. However, despite the land loses for Germany, it is important to remember that
a considerable portion of land had been taken from other countries in the recent past and was
viewed by the Allies a return of property to the rightful owner. The source article provided by
Colby College supports the loss of land as a trigger factor in regard to the culmination of events
and situations that led Germany to spark World War ΙΙ years later. Loss of land, a deep sense of
emotional betrayal and a leader with all the answers sparked World War Ι: Part Two. .
The Treaty of Versailles stated that the Rhineland was to be demilitarized for at least 15
years, and in the meanwhile have allied military forces in control of the area (Magana). The
Rhineland was a crucial military and economic aspect of Germany not only because of the
concentration of economic activity, but also because of its key location. This was a vital area of
land in Western Germany near the French, Belgian and Dutch borders, and was considered an
economic center. In addition to an importance in Germany industry, the Rhineland also bordered
countries that were not exactly allies, and was therefore a highly militarized zone. As an article
by Magana states, this did not sit well with the German people, especially those who lived in the
area. Forced demilitarization and Allied occupation of the Rhineland as stated in the Treaty of
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Versailles was an aggravating factor in regard to the Second World War, as this requirement was
broken a decade later by the revenge-seeking National Socialist German Worker's Party
(NSDAP) and became a crucial spot in regard to battles in World War II (Nazi Party Forms).
Other military related terms defined by the Treaty of Versailles includes limits on the
German military. First and foremost, the Germany army was to be limited to no more than
100,000 soldiers (Kitchen). No tanks were allowed to be used by the military either. More
restrictions of the Germany military included that there was not allowed to be an air force at all.
In regards to the Germany navy, it was only allowed to have six naval ships; and submarines
were outlawed. The Treaty of Versailles aimed to limit the military might of Germany to prevent
it from reaching numbers that could become a threat, though it was considered that the German
military ought not be too weak, as Germany was considered a buffer from the spread of
Communism into Europe from Russia (Terms of the Treaty).
What was truly disabling was when finances became a factor. As previously stated,
signing the Treaty of Versailles proclaimed that Germany accepted all blame for World War One
(War Guilt Clause). As a result, the Treaty of Versailles and its supporters aimed to ensure that
Germany would pay for that in various ways. Financially paying for World War One was
something that Treaty of Versailles accomplished. During a war, much money is spent to fund
military efforts. In addition, much money is spend afterwards in effort to clean up the mess that
is created.
After fighting and losing a war, one of the last things Germany was able to do was make
financial payments. However, the creators of the Treaty of Versailles agreed that was not an
excuse, and that the government of Germany would have to find a way to make payments to the
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countries and people that were damaged by the war. Though a set sum was not initially declared
within the Treaty of Versailles, a number was later settled on years later. For many decades,
Germany would have make financial reparations to the people and countries that were affected
by World War One.
Looking at the Treaty of Versailles from the perspective of a German citizen, regardless
of whether or not the individual German had supported World War One, the Treaty of Versailles
was not favorable among the general public of Germany. The general dislike of the Treaty of
Versailles would not just last for several weeks after the document was signed like a news story
might. Instead, the affects of the Treaty of Versailles continued for years after (Nazi Party
Forms).
Therefore, it follows that the effects of the Treaty of Versailles did not just occur all in
one small time frame of perhaps a year or even 5 years. An article by TheHistoryPlace evaluates
the early days of the Nazi Party, the political party that officially began World War ΙΙ on
September 1, 1939 by invading Poland. Known as the National Socialist German Workers Party
and commonly referred to as NSDAP, the newly formed party in the 1920's grew, while
emphasizing the concept of nationalism (Nazi Party Forms). The article suggests that
nationalism, which is pride in one's country far much stronger than patriotism, is a direct
response to the betrayal and subsequent negative feelings that stemmed from the terms of the
Treaty of Versailles. Though not directly connected, historians generally agree that the Treaty of
Versailles led to nationalism among the German people, which in the social and political context
of a severely punished German state, allowed for the Nazi assent and the beginning of the
Second World War.
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After the First World War, the Treaty of Versailles' effects began to take shape. Leader
Kaiser Wilhelm stepped down as head of German state, and a new government in Germany was
established called the Wiemar Republic. There were many troubles that the nation faced, such as
fear of Communism spreading into Germany from the East, as well as war debt would all add to
Germany's extreme woes. The Treaty of Versailles did not ease post-war concerns for the
German government, and people began to doubt the Wiemar Republic's ability to meet the heavy
penalties imposed on Germany by the Versailles Treaty. The Treaty of Versailles added to the
negative situation in Germany in the 1920's and early 1930's, creating the perfect opportunity for
the rapidly growing Nazi Party to gain power, thus making the start of World War ΙΙ more so
possible (Nazi Party Forms).
Considering the 1920 platform of the Nazi Party, it becomes extremely evident that many
of the planks are in direct defiance of the Treaty of Versailles. In addition, the Nazis would
violate the Treaty in almost every way possible. The German military was increased in size, land
was taken back by force, the German government refused to pay reparations, Germany and
Austria reunited, and among other such criteria, the Nazi government sought revenge for what
they viewed as the injustices caused by the Treaty of Versailles. Because of the various situations
that arose from the Treaty of Versailles, it indirectly yet in some ways directly caused emotional
pain among Germans, made the government susceptible to instability, contributed to the growth
of the Nazi Party, thus ultimately being a major long term cause in regard to the Second World
War.
Through preventive methods ranging from suppressing the Germany military,
redistributing German land and requiring financial reparations, the Treaty of Versailles ironically
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created the opposite of the intended effects and led Germans to seek revenge for what they
viewed as an injustice. Thus, the means, mood and motive for World War II in Europe were
established. In conclusion, the long term effects of the Treaty created a generally unhappy
German populous and equally unhappy German leadership that sought revenge. Despite its welldirected intentions, the Treaty of Versailles will go down in history as one of the largest and most
significant peace documents, the terms of which would lead to the second installment of WWI,
World War II.
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Works Cited
Castillo, Daniel. "German Economy in the 1920's." German Economy in the 1920's. N.p. , Dec.
2003. Web. 17 May 2012.
<http://www.history.ucsb.edu/faculty/marcuse/classes/33d/projects/1920s/Econ20s.htm>.
Clare, John D. "What were ‘reparations’, and what changes were made to the Treaty of Versailles
over this issue in the period 1919–1932?." Reparations. Greenfield History Site, n.d.
Web. 15 May 2012. <http://www.johndclare.net/EA7.htm>.
"Financial Impact of the Treaty ." The Impact of the Treaty of Versailles. SchoolHistory, 4 June
2004. Web. 15 May 2012.
<http://www.schoolshistory.org.uk/ASLevel_History/week4_versailles.htm>.
"German Territorial Losses, Treaty of Versailles 1919." Map. United States Memorial Holocaust
Museum, n.d. Web. 17 May 2012. <http://www.ushmm.org/outreach/en/media_nm.php?
MediaId=1620>.
Hacken, Richard, and Jane Plotke. "Reparations." Peace Treaty of Versailles, Articles 231-247
and Annexes, Reparations. byu.edu, 11 Nov. 1998. Web. 14 May 2012.
<http://net.lib.byu.edu/~rdh7/wwi/versa/versa7.html>.
Kitchen , Martin . "Terms of the Treaty of Versailles ." BBC-History- World Wars: The Ending of
World War Once, and the Legacy of Peace. British Broadcasting Corporation , 17 Feb.
2011. Web. 8 May 2012.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/war_end_01.shtml>.
"Long Term Causes of World War Two." Long Term Causes of World War Two.
HistoryLearningSite, 2012. Web. 17 May 2012.
<http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/long_term_causes_of_world_war_tw.htm>.
Magana, Carlos. "German Loss of Territory." Signing of the Versailles Treaty. University
of California, Sana Barbara, Dec. 2003. Web. 16 May 2012.
<http://www.history.ucsb.edu/faculty/marcuse/classes/33d/projects/1920s/CarlosTreaty.ht
m.>
Nazi Party is Formed. The History Place, 1996. Web. 17 May 2012.
<http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/riseofhitler/party.htm>.
"Terms of the Treaty of Versailles ." World War One- Treaty of Versailles. The History on the Net
Group, 4 Mar. 2010. Web. 8 May 2012.
<http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW1/versailles.htm>.
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<http://www.colby.edu/personal/r/rmscheck/GermanyD1.html>.
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College, n.d. Web. 17 May 2012. <http://users.stlcc.edu/rkalfus/PDFs/026.pdf>.
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Web. 4 Mar. 2012. <http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW1/versailles.htm>.
"The War Guilt Clause." Treaty of Versailles, text of Article 231, the "War Guilt Clause". Facing
History and Ourselves, 2011. Web. 15 May 2012.
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