WAS THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES JUST

It is the end of World War I .Germany has just been involved in, and lost, a war that would crush millions of lives and would change the world forever. The countries that defeated Germany are furious and want to seek revenge, because they lost many human lives .Britain lost 750,000 soldiers and 1,500,000 got wounded. France lost 1, 400, 00 soldiers and 2,500,000 casualties .America didnt lose so many people since it entered at the ending of the war. Germany signed an armistice to cease fire because they thought they were accepting Wilsons 14 points. The politicians who signed the armistice were called November criminals. Finally, the big three come up with a way to get back at Germany. They write a treaty that says Germany is responsible for the war. The problem of peace remained. Many people hoped that a peace settlement would prevent war from happening again, President Woodrow Wilson thought that he had the answer to all Europes problems. All three men wanted to stop a war ever happening again, but they did not agree about how to do this. They wanted different things from the peace, and they did not get on well. Georges Clemenceau (Prime Minister of France) preferred revenge, and to punish the Germans for what they had done and also, wanted to weaken Germany so that France wouldnt be invaded again. He also wanted Germany to be split up into smaller and weaker states. David Lloyd George (Britains Prime Minister) wanted justice but not revenge. He also had a yen for Germany and Britain to become trading partners. And also preferred to expand the British Empire, maintain British control of the seas, and increase Britain's trade. Woodrow Wilson (President of America) his aim was to make the world a better place, and also wanted a Fair peace. And yenned for the League of Nations where countries could sort out their problems without war. And additionally had passion for selfdetermination. Now the terms for peace were discussed in Paris on 28th June 1919.The conference was attended by thirty-two-states, but the major powers dominated the conference, France, Britain and USA. Germany and the defeated states werent invited to attend the conference. Peace was difficult to make because of the wide scale disruption to Europe during the war and the

general unrest that existed while the peace conference sat. France was happy about Germanys war guilt and payment of reparations. They were also delighted that they got Alsace Lorraine back. They were happy that the Rhineland became a demilitarised zone. France became thrilled because they got almost half of German colonies. Britain was happy that Germanys navy could build only six warships. USA was happy because the League of Nations was established. And the inauguration of self-determination. Germany thought the Treaty of Versailles was unfair because it was a diktat and was not fully based on Wilsons fourteen points. Her objections were largely ignored. Germany resented the attitude of revenge which was summed up by the British press as: Make Germany Pay and Squeeze the German Lemon until the Pips Squeak! By the 28th June 1919, when the Treaty of Versailles was signed, the Fourteen Points had been largely forgotten. Germans felt stabbed in the back and felt the treaty was very unjust they didn't believe the war wasnt their fault. They also felt very angry as the reparations had crippled their economy, therefore making innocent children and women starve. German pride had also taken a huge battering. It is often forgotten, that with the energy put into the punishment of Germany, other countries fought on her side and, equally, had to be dealt with. These countries were Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey. Austria-Hungary had to sign two peace settlements, indicative of the fact that this state was shortly to be divided into two. Austria signed the Treaty of Saint Germain in 1919 and Hungary also signed the Treaty of Trianon. Austria and Hungary were treated as two completely new countries after these treaties were signed. Both lost land to neighbouring countries, the new state of Czechoslovakia was effectively created out of this carve up of land, large blocks of land went to Poland, Romania and Yugoslavia. Part of Austria went to Italy. Both new countries had to reduce their military capability and both states had to pay reparations for war damage. However, the figures involved were nowhere near as high as the figure imposed on Germany. Bulgaria also had to sign the Treaty of Neuilly. Bulgaria lost land to the new state of Yugoslavia, had to reduce her military capability and had to pay reparations. Turkey signed the Treaty of Sevres .Turkey lost many lands in Europe and had to pay reparations.

To be frank, I assume the Treaty of Versailles wasnt a fair treaty, because Germany entered treaty talks based on the idea that Wilson's 14 points would be the guide. France, chiefly but England as well, insisted that Germany accept full responsibility (The "War Guilt" clause) for the war and its costs. And Germany became blamed for starting the war, which was obviously not their fault, the war was started with Serbia by Killing the Archduke Franz Ferdinand Perez. Meanwhile, they were also not allowed in the Peace Conference, so they were unsure what was happening and they could never put their opinion forward. This just made them not feel part of Europe and they would know that all countries would be against them. Germany was forced to give up all her colonies, disarmnent and extreme reparations had only increased the impact on Germany and her citizens. And also, splitting Germany into two was harsh because some people who had been previously living in Germany would suddenly be living in Poland. They didnt try to help the newly elected German government who had nothing to do with the war. Also Germans had no selfdetermination .I also think The Treaty of Versailles was a treaty in name only. Many countries were involved with the War and its very unfair to point fingers at Germany. Besides Germany had also lost more than two million men in the war, and was also suffering from poverty, as her economy had been severely weaken. No one thought Germany could ever hope to repay this debt. Later on, the cost was scaled down but even then the debt was massive and truly couldn't be paid. Germany was soundly in defeat and people of all victorious nations insisted on gaining something after the loss of life and general destruction, an enormous reparations price was attached to the Treaty. Rather than seeking ways to prevent future wars, the victorious allies (led by France) decided instead to cripple the German losers by imposing a series of blows to the national pride of Germany. The victorious leaders made the Germans diminish national Identity. And because the country in general depressed it sought revenge and raised Germany back to its feet (Hitler).I agree the Germans were needed to be punished but the measures were too severe.