The Germans had come to the table hoping to hear Wilson saying, “the equality of nations upon which peace much be founded on if it is to last must be an equality of rights..” (German Peace Delegation, p. 76) Instead they were hit with several Billion reichmarks in reparations, a reduced military and many other limitations politically, economically, militarily and territory wise (The Versailles Treaty, 1918). Germany was to blame for the war, as were all of Europe. However the old adage, to the victor goes the spoils. With such documents as the Zimmerman Note, one can only speculate on the terms handed down by a victorious
Germany had been expecting a treaty based on Wilson's 14 points and were not happy with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. However, they had no choice but to sign the document. The main terms of the Treaty of Versailles were: 1. War Guilt Clause - Germany should accept the blame for starting World War One 2. Reparations - Germany had to pay £6,600 million for the damage caused by the war 3.
The leaders of Britain, France and US agreed to bring peace to Europe and created a list of terms that ended WW1. These terms were known as the treaty of Versailles. The terms of the treaty mostly only applied to Germany and were really harsh on them. The treaty deprived 13% of Germany's land and demilitarized Germany's mainland, Rhineland. It also required Germany to pay 6,600 million Euros to countries that faced damages due to the war.
How accurate is it to suggest that the Treaty of Versailles was mainly responsible for the political and economic instability in Germany in the years 1919-23? (30marks) Firstly, I will be analysing in detail the various sources the instability underlying the Weimar Republic between 1919 and 1923 and evaluate their overall significance. I will come to a judgement about the significance of the Versailles Treaty and inform views of prominent historians. There are several events and happenings that were responsible of the political and economic instability in Germany in 1991-23 such as collapse, revolution, political extremes of left and right such as Spartacists, Kapp putsch and Munich beer hall, the Armistice, inflationary and setting up the Weimar republic. Firstly, I agree with the view that it is accurate to suggest that the Treaty of Versailles was mainly responsible for the political and economic instability in Germany in the years 1919-23 because of the treaty itself .
1) ‘ The views of J.M. Keynes were the most important factor in explaining Britain’s treatment of Germany in the years following the Treaty of Versailles until 1929.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. (24 marks) John Maynard Keynes, an economist and financial representative for the Treasury during the Treaty of Versailles of 1929, held bold and influential views about the treatment of Germany. The question is, how powerful were these views in affecting the actions and policies of the British government towards Germany in the years which followed? When Keynes rejected the scale of reparations placed on Germany and resigned from his post at the Treasury, he lead the way for what many leading politicians were to understand later on.
He tried to find a compromise between Wilson and Clemenceau. Germany had been expecting a treaty based on Wilson's 14 points and were not happy with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. However, they had no choice but to sign the document. People supported Hitler because he promised them what they wanted and needed to hear. The Weimar Republic appeared to have no idea how to solve the problems of the Depression.
Woodrow Wilson came to Paris bringing with him a peace program, which was about his moral, idealistic notion of a new world order. His idea was to link the instrument of surrender for the Germans to the creation of the League of Nations. On the way to Paris, Wilson went to England, where he spoke about how he wished to overthrow the old diplomatic system, which had led to the escalation of the war even before he had made his "Fourteen Points" speech in January 1918. When the US first entered the Great War, the President wanted that there be “peace without victory” and his Fourteen Points outlined a proposed arrangement that altered diplomatic relationships to such an extent that future wars could be prevented. Wilson could clearly see that the conclusion of the Great War was an opportunity for him to advance his progressive policies.
The fighting continued and the Germans were pushed back. In October 1918, Germany was willing to talk peace because of President Wilson’s declaration that there can be “peace without victory” (Schultz, 2012). The Allied countries wanted to punish Germany for the many atrocities it caused. They wanted to continue to fight. President Wilson threatened to remove the American soldiers from Europe if they did not agree to peace and sign the armistice.
Wilson believed the treaty of Versailles should punish Germany but not so harshly that it would someday recover and seek revenge. However Wilson’s main aims were portrayed> through his fourteen points. But perhaps his main goal for post war Europe was to strengthen democracy in Germany so the citizens would not let its leaders cause another war. France suffered enormous damage in WW1. When the war ended the general population of France wanted revenge on Germany.
The French had got back their land called ‘Alsace-Lorraine’ and Poland had also got back their piece of land called the ‘Polish Corridor’ from the Germans. The League of Nations (including Britain, USA and France) formed in hope of preventing another such conflict. The European nationalism spawned by the war and the breakup of the Austro – Hungarian and the German Empire. The repercussions of Germany’s defeat and problems with the Treaty of Versailles are generally agreed to be factors contributing to World War II. The Treaty of Versailles was the peace settlement signed after The First World War had ended in 1918.