THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES AND WORLD WAR II
After the First World War everyone wanted peace, even Germany. The Germans had no reason to fight; they had admitted defeat and began to rebuild their society. But the Treaty of Versailles changed all that. It had diminished Germany's land, economy, military, and most importantly, honour. The (arguably) unjustified accusations of the League of Nations were enough to revive the anger of the German people, which eventually gave rise to World War 2. Signed on the 28th of June 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was designed after the First World War, when the atrocious experience was still fresh in everyone's minds. The diplomats that participated in the event declared that its purpose was to prevent such a battle from ever occurring again. However, some of the dominating powers had hidden agendas. In their "discussions", Britain, France and (to a lesser extent) America had decided to place all of the blame of WW1 on Germany. While Britain simply wanted to punish Germany, France wanted to destroy her economy and incapacitate her military forces.
The German people were immediately willing to join his cause regardless of how radical it was because it offered an alternative to the failing Weimar Republic and the Treaty of Versailles. They were being unfairly accused of carrying out such a dishonourable act. In the beginning, she refused to reduce the army, and sailors sank the fleet rather than hand it over. She had no choice or say in the matter; if she had not surrendered, the Allies would attack. Hitler was a very charismatic leader, and an excellent speaker, and was offering solutions to the economic and social hardships of Germany, combined with national pride. Hitler's goal to unite all German people was met with appraise and attracted patriotic Germans. Of course, the Germans refused to pay due to lack of guilt. Secondly, some of the land lost was vital to Germany's strong industry (such as the Saarland) and their loss would damage her economically. The objection of the German public can be seen in their quick change of attitude, at first they even refused to sign. This view allowed Hitler to lead Germany under a totalitarianism dictatorship, basing itself on military rearmament (to prepare for war). Germany's "war guilt" required her to pay a total of 6. Hitler promised to "destroy" the Treaty of Versailles, thereby bypassing such heavy treatment. The Rhineland was declared a demilitarised zone and allied troops were sent in to occupy it for 15 years. Germany was distraught at the loss of her once mighty army. Germany's colonies were also taken away from her, and she was forbidden to unite with Austria.
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