How Did The Versailles Treaty Cause Ww2
After the end of World War I, nations that consisted of mostly the allies got together in Versailles to create a document known as the Versailles Treaty. The treaty spelled out terms that the defeated countries would follow. No country was more affected by this than Germany. Many countries wanted to punish Germany for World War I. During the creation of this document that was signed in 1919, Germany was given no voice. The Versailles Treaty caused War II because of German territorial losses, military losses, and Germany forced to take responsibility.
As a result of the Versailles Treaty Much of the land that Germany held before the war was lost to other countries. Lands such as Lorraine, Alsace, and the Polish Corridor were lost. As a result
of those particular lost lands, 40% of coal production was lost (Document A). Lost lands in Germany meant lost jobs for many people, and the unemployment rate went up. The economy was terribly disturbed as a result. Hitler wrote “The restoration of the frontiers of 1914 could be achieved only be blood”(Mein Kampf, Document A). Hitler believed that the only way to get the land back that Germany lost was to go to war and shed blood.
The Versailles Treaty had a large effect on the German military, which was cut significantly and limited. As of March 31, 1920 Germany was only allowed to have 100,000 men total in the army (Document B). Surrounding countries, however had many more people in their armies. France for example had 660,000 full time military troops or peacekeepers, and 4,100,000 military reserves (Document B). With all of these different countries with so many troops, it makes sense that Germany would react with war after being mistreated in such a way.
Some may believe that the cause of World War II was the Nazi - Soviet pact. This pact resulted from a mutual need, were Germany and Russia would not interfere in each others affairs directly. Russia was able to build up their armies and Germany would invade Poland with no one opposing them. This is incorrect however because the main reason for the start of World War II was the Versailles treaty, because the Germans were forced to take responsibility for the war that caused so much loss. Humiliated by the treaty Germans lost self worth and value (Document D). When Hitler rose to power he “restored a sense of pride, reawakened a sense of self-respect, forcing the world to look at Germany anew” (Document D). Hitler rising to power gave the people something to want and to fight for after the Versailles Treaty had them down for so long.
The Versailles Treaty caused World War II because of large amounts of land lost for Germany, majorly cut Germany’s military, and forced Germans upon the responsibility for World War I. The Versailles Treaty was a set of rules put in place basically for Germany. Taking things away from them and smothering them was only going to end one way. It was only a matter of time before Germany finally had enough of the Treaty and fought back.
As a result of the Versailles Treaty Much of the land that Germany held before the war was lost to other countries. Lands such as Lorraine, Alsace, and the Polish Corridor were lost. As a result
of those particular lost lands, 40% of coal production was lost (Document A). Lost lands in Germany meant lost jobs for many people, and the unemployment rate went up. The economy was terribly disturbed as a result. Hitler wrote “The restoration of the frontiers of 1914 could be achieved only be blood”(Mein Kampf, Document A). Hitler believed that the only way to get the land back that Germany lost was to go to war and shed blood.
The Versailles Treaty had a large effect on the German military, which was cut significantly and limited. As of March 31, 1920 Germany was only allowed to have 100,000 men total in the army (Document B). Surrounding countries, however had many more people in their armies. France for example had 660,000 full time military troops or peacekeepers, and 4,100,000 military reserves (Document B). With all of these different countries with so many troops, it makes sense that Germany would react with war after being mistreated in such a way.
Some may believe that the cause of World War II was the Nazi - Soviet pact. This pact resulted from a mutual need, were Germany and Russia would not interfere in each others affairs directly. Russia was able to build up their armies and Germany would invade Poland with no one opposing them. This is incorrect however because the main reason for the start of World War II was the Versailles treaty, because the Germans were forced to take responsibility for the war that caused so much loss. Humiliated by the treaty Germans lost self worth and value (Document D). When Hitler rose to power he “restored a sense of pride, reawakened a sense of self-respect, forcing the world to look at Germany anew” (Document D). Hitler rising to power gave the people something to want and to fight for after the Versailles Treaty had them down for so long.
The Versailles Treaty caused World War II because of large amounts of land lost for Germany, majorly cut Germany’s military, and forced Germans upon the responsibility for World War I. The Versailles Treaty was a set of rules put in place basically for Germany. Taking things away from them and smothering them was only going to end one way. It was only a matter of time before Germany finally had enough of the Treaty and fought back.