Treaty of Versailles
Before the First World War had finished, the groundwork for the early stagesof another world war was beginning to take place in Germany. By the end ofWorld War I, the economic and social foundation of European society wasshaken. France had lost twenty percent of its young to middle-aged men, and Germany had also lost well over 15 percent. A Treatywas being proposed by President Woodrow Wilson in hope to finally end thebloodshed brought on by the first World War. The "victorious" Allied Powers met in Paris in January 1919 to speak ofpeace treaties to finally end the devastating war. President Woodrow Wilsonhad drawn up a series of proposals that he hoped would mark the beginningof a lasting era of peace and prosperity. These proposals came to be knownas the Fourteen Points. The first five proposals would help set general goalsfor the postwar and aftermath. They included the following:3. Removing economic barriers to trade4. Reducing the size of national armies and navies5. Adjusting colonial claims with fairness toward the colonial peoples The sixth through the thirteenth propositions implied changing national
This clause placed soleblame for World War I on Germany. Throughout all fourteen points, Wilson'smain idea was self-determination; allowing people to decide for themselvesunder what government they wish to live. In addition to this, Italy had its own demands. In addition to Germany, other countries also felt betrayed by the terms of the peace settlement. There were otherproblems which posed a threat to the entire treaty. Also, the Treaty compromised the principle of nationalself-determination, Wilson's main goal in the Fourteen Points and keyproposition to end W. The Germans bitterly resented the treaty, and many ofthem listened approvingly to politicians, such as Adolf Hitler, who promisedto tear it up and lead Germany once more down a path of military glory. In fact, the intense pride for their countrydrove them forward to be the antagonists and the main "trouble makers" inW. This fourteenth point eventually led up to the formation of theLeague of Nations. Article 231, the "war-guilt" clause was possibly the most severepunishment dealt out by the Treaty of Versailles. The military restrictions were especially harsh on Germany and itsforces. Germany could not manufactureany more war materials.
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