World War One was a turning point in the process of world politics and warfare, the Treaty of Versailles signifying the end of the conflict. Signed between Germany and the Allied Forces at the Palace of Versailles outside of Paris, this treaty is considered one of the leading causes for the events that lead to the Second World War while at the same time creating the League of Nations, the first international organization dedicated to peace.
The Treaty of Versailles was one of several peace treaties which placed responsibility of the war on Germany, requiring them to disarm their large army, relinquish territory and pay heavy reparations to countries including Britain and France. These conditions were finalized by the three leading powers of France, Great Britain, and the United States; it is considered the unhappy compromise as with only three powers there was still not a unanimous decision. Though President Woodrow Wilson of the United States campaigned for the treaty heavily with his 14 Points and his execution of the League of Nations, Congress did not ratify the treaty.
In the following years, Germany became incredibly weak. Only a small percentage of the reparations required was paid, though it caused near economic collapse due to hyper-inflation; unemployment and famine became common, and the Germans became increasingly resentful. When the Nazi regime came to power with Adolf Hitler as Chancellor in 1933- having been the first politician to speak and act out against the conditions of the treaty- the Germans believed he would return Germany to its’ former glory.Though his socialist regulations did improve Germany’s economy and created many modern features of society, he did go completely against the Treaty of Versailles. His efforts for reducing unemployment resulted in the largest infrastructure campaign in German history, creating jobs in the building of dams, highways, and railroads. However, he began to create war machines and rebuild the German army forces back to full strength completely disregarding the conditions placed on them.
Perhaps the biggest error in regards to Germany defiance was during the remilitarizing of the Rhineland in western Germany in 1936. Though this was a blatant noncompliance of the treaty, the other European powers barely reacted, allowing the Nazi leaders to push the boundaries and claim their lost land. Eventually, war broke out throughout Europe and the rest of the world with the invasion of Poland by the remilitarized German forces in 1939. The Treaty of Versailles was a disaster in diplomacy, as the Allied forces were unable to fully come to an agreement, and did not fully implement the conditions when Germany began to regain its’ power. Perhaps the only positive attribute was the creation of the League of Nations, which evolved into the United Nations after the end of the war.
The effect of the Treaty of Versailles was more powerful than the Allied powers could have ever imagined. Without the heavy implementations on Germany, it is difficult to say if Adolf Hitler would have come to power, and thus the relations between countries today would be very different. It is due to World War Two that the United Nations, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, was created, and the necessary relationships of peace and diplomacy between European countries were born. It is an interesting cause and effect, and though the Treaty of Versailles at the time was a complete disaster, its’ over reaching influence can be seen in international affairs today.
By: Elizabeth Casto
Edited by: Tabitha Timbrook
The Cave 