History of Oceania

Why did the World War 1 peace treaty help cause 2?

The Treaty of Versailles is often cited as one of the causes of World War II. The treaty was signed between Germany and the Allies in 1919, after the end of World War I. It was a very harsh treaty, and it placed the blame for the war on Germany. Many Germans felt that the treaty was unfair and that it punished Germany too severely. This resentment helped to fuel the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in the 1930s.

Here are some of the key provisions of the Treaty of Versailles that are thought to have contributed to World War II:

* Germany was forced to give up territory to the Allies. This included the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to France, Eupen-Malmédy to Belgium, North Schleswig to Denmark, and West Prussia, Posen, and Upper Silesia to Poland.

* Germany was forced to pay reparations to the Allies. The reparations were set at 132 billion gold marks, which was a huge sum of money.

* Germany was limited in its military strength. The German army was limited to 100,000 men, and the air force and navy were abolished.

* The War Guilt Clause. This clause stated that Germany was responsible for starting World War I. This was a very humiliating provision for Germany, and it made many Germans feel angry and resentful.

The Treaty of Versailles was a very unpopular treaty in Germany, and it helped to create a climate of resentment and nationalism in the country. This resentment eventually led to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, and it played a significant role in the outbreak of World War II.