Was The Treaty of Versailles too harsh

Was The Treaty of Versailles Too Harsh?
On July 28th 1914, World War I was declared in Europe. The central powers were;
Austria­Hungary, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Germany. They were against the allied powers; North
America, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Russia, Japan, Romania, Serbia, Greece, and Portugal .
The war was cause by four main reasons nationalism, rivalry over colonies, military alliances and the arms race. On
April 6, 1917 the U.S joined allied forces. After being pushed over the edge with the continuation of unrestricted submarine warfare, with the Sussex Pledge in enactment. Germany did not follow the Sussex Pledge that was enacted with The U.S to have a faster end to the war. The U.S also decided to fight against Germany because they wanted to take Samoa, and Manila from The U.S, take trading routes, dominated the seas with militia, and invaded Belgium. It brought debt, death, and destruction. On June 28th 1919, a peace treaty was signed by Germany and allied powers that put an end to War World I. The treaty was created in
France by President Woodrow Wilson, George Clemenceau, David Lloyd and Vittorio Emanuele
Orlando, also known as “The Big Four”. The treaties terms included Germany to lose land/colonies, military, and much more. This was important because the the treaty greatly impacted Germany negatively, and later led to complications breakage of the Ottoman Empire, and World War II.
Germany had already lost the war, and much more. President Woodrow
Wilson did not accomplish his task of keeping Germany protected, and not stripped of everything. The Treaty Of Versailles was too harsh on Germany.
Due to the Treaty of Versailles Germany was very limited in military, and navy. From having 500,000 men, the Treaty reduced it to a mere 100,000 men. Making Germany weak, and unable to defend itself in the case of emergency or war. Not only did the Treaty prevent the

number of men, it also restricted the type of weapons, and war materials. All excess war materials were given to the Allies. Ammunition was also affected, the Treaty specified how many rounds were allowed. Poisonous gas, tanks, airplanes, and submarines were all objectified.
Germany no longer dominated the seas, and now was considered powerless. The Treaty of
Versailles victimized Germany making it defenseless as possible, this was too extreme and harsh. In addition, the Treaty of Versailles had Germany lose all African colonies as well as land. Some of the land lost was previously taken by the Germans, and was wanted back.
Alsace­Lorraine originally was owned by France, the treaty demanded it back. This was fair, as
Germany took it before, after France had lost the
Franco­Prussian War. Though, Germany had lost a lot of additional land, that belonged to them. These included Posen, West Prussia, Silesia,
Eupen, Malmedy, and North Schleswig. Not only did Germany lose land, but Germany was also forbidden to unite with Austria, and the Saar Coalfields were given to France for fifteen years.
The African colonies owned by Germany were lost, and became independent. These colonies are now known as Morocco, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Liberia. As well as losing land, President
Woodrow Wilson did not prevent the land from being taken or punishment, to his best ability in the Treaty of Versailles.
The following is from President Woodrow Wilson:
No territory must change hands except for the purpose of securing those who inhabit it a fair chance of life and liberty. No indemnities must be insisted on except those that constitute payment for manifest wrongs done. No readjustments of power must be made except such as will tend to secure the future peace of the world and the future welfare and happiness of its peoples.

Wilson did not keep his word. He did not want to punish the central powers, but that is exactly what had happened. He tried to prevent this from happening, but not to his best ability.
Territorial adjustments, reparations, armament restrictions, and war guilt were all issues the
Treaty had troubles settling. Those were all also the punishments that Germany had to face. His unrealistic ideas brought shame, disappointment, and disbelief. This was unfair, Germany already lost the war, it was too harsh to take additional land, territories and colonies.
Others may think the Treaty of Versailles was fair. An opposing viewpoint would be that neutral Belgium was the country impacted the most by War World I. The “Schlieffen Plan” was a tactic used by Germany to attack and conquer France. By using this plan they would attack through neutral Belgium to attack the weak, unprotected border of France. It created tension throughout Europe, as well as devastation to Belgium who wanted no part in the war. Although, it was reckless and devastating to neutral Belgium, it was simply a war tactic. The execution of the plan led to Britain declaring war on Germany, which was fair enough. The Treaty of
Versailles was too extreme in punishment, and Germany had already been punished by the Triple
Entente by attacking through Germany.
As the Treaty of Versailles took as much as possible land, colonies, and money. It also left Germany weak, defenseless, and powerless with little military. Not only did President
Woodrow Wilson not keep his word, but he left Germany in smithereens. Because of this
Germany was impacted greatly. This later led to the future event World War II. The culprit to blame is no one but the Treaty of Versailles. If only it was not so harsh on Germany, we would not see another World War.