How did the Versailles Treaty lead to World War Two

The guns fell silent on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. Over four years of incredible destruction came to a silent end. For the belligerent Central and Allied Powers, the armistice brought uncertainty. The Kaiser had just been overthrown, and a new alliance of Liberals and Socialists announced a democratic regime at Weimar, Germany. The other Central Powers had collapsed in disarray and revolution. Russia, out of the war in early 1918, was in the midst of a deepening Civil War. Many of the Allies were exhausted and drained.

What were the goals of the Allies after World War I?

The delegates of the victorious powers met in Paris to discuss the terms of the peace, followed by the treaty's signing at the former French royal palace of Versailles. Led by the "Big Four," the U.S., France, Italy, and Great Britain. Each had its own goals and vulnerabilities. While the U.S. President Wilson adhered to an idealistic view of collective responsibility and ethnic self-determination, France was driven largely by one thing: revenge. France sought to avenge its humiliating loss almost fifty years earlier in the Franco-Prussian War that resulted in a united Germany.

How did France dominant the treaty conference after World War I?

Each of the powers represented at the treaty conference came out with some disappointments. The British goal of stability was largely subverted by revolutions across Europe and France's demand to increase Germany's punishment. Italy did not receive territory promised in secret deliberations during the war. The largest shortfalls appeared for France and the United States.

President Wilson's lofty goals of internationalism fell asunder in the postwar reality. The emerging League of Nations lacked the teeth needed to prevent aggressive power from emerging and destroying the fragile peace. Rather than creating a series of independent democracies across Eastern Europe and the Middle East, conflict raged for years, leading to opportunities for Hitler's Germany and Stalin's Russia. Furthermore, the United States never signed the Treaty of Versailles and joined the League. The U.S. Senate never ratified the Treaty, destroying Wilson's grand vision. [2]

However, it was France that had the most significant impact. France's constant desire for revenge alienated its allies and sparked radical political movements in Germany. The French understood that Germany was utterly drained by the war, losing almost half of its youngest adult male generation. Paris developed a decidedly defensive posture, seeking various ways to box in and humiliate Germany. France created alliances with many of the new Eastern European states, none of which would adequately function. France also produced a long line of defenses along the new Franco-German border. This Maginot Line proved to be less than up to the task in 1940, despite the substantial effort and investment.

How did Germany React to the Treaty of Versailles?

Naturally, Germany was less than thrilled about their situation. By November 1918, nary a square mile was under Allied occupation, and the Kaiser's troops still occupied a substantial part of Belgium. German propaganda had been announcing for months that their soldiers were very close to victory through much of 1918. And in many ways, they had been. The shock of defeat, coupled with the harsh terms proposed, carved an indelible mark in the German psyche. This unexpected defeat led to the famous "stab in the back" theory utilized by Hitler. The sight of American, British, French, and Belgian occupying the Rhineland pierced the brief calm after the fighting ended.

The treaty required Germany to disarm. German troops were not allowed in the Rhineland, Germany's main industrial region that bordered France. Furthermore, the Reichswehr was limited to just 100,000 soldiers. The air force was banned from having combat aircraft, and the German navy lost most of its surface ships and all of its submarines. Tanks were forbidden. What had been arguably the strongest army in the world was humiliated for a second time. [4]

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Dbq: ratifying the treaty of versailles, using evidence: nys regents style dbq.

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United States and World War I: DBQ: Ratifying the Treaty of Versailles

NYS Regents Style DBQ analyzing the following question and associated documents: 

Explain how a treaty is ratified in the United States.

Explain why Woodrow Wilson believed the League of Nations was critical to future peace.  

Explain two arguments made against ratifying the Treaty of Versailles and League of Nations.  

Describe what ultimately happened to the Treaty of Versailles.  

how did the versailles treaty help cause ww2 dbq essay

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    Resources: DBQ: Ratifying the Treaty of Versailles. NYS Regents Style DBQ. NYS Regents Style DBQ analyzing the following question and associated documents: Explain how a treaty is ratified in the United States. Explain why Woodrow Wilson believed the League of Nations was critical to future peace. Explain two arguments made against ratifying ...

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    The Treaty of Versailles helped cause World War II by treating Germany harshly. This harsh treatment can be seen especially in three areas: the treaty stripped Germany of land, the treaty ordered for Germany to pay tons of money to the Allies, and Germany was stripped of pride and military power. …show more content….

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    After the war ended the leaders met at the Versailles Palace just outside of Paris for a treaty to settle future disputes and avoid war. The treaty was finally signed on June 28, 1919 and because Germany was responsible for war damageous and costs, they were angry and humiliated. The Treaty of Versailles lead to World War II through territorial ...