Did the Treaty of Versailles cause World War II - Essay Example

The Treaty of Versailles as the Cause of World War 2 Signing of Versailles treaty marked the censure of World War which involved war between the allies and central powers1. The treaty was intended to bring peace between these two sides while avoiding any chances of emergence of another similar war. The treaty, however, turned as the cause of conflict and an initiator of World War II. For a treaty to achieve long-lasting effects, it has to be fair on both conflicting sides. This would have been the case if the Versailles treaty had its basis on the proposed objectives by Woodrow Wilson.

Woodrows proposals were effective in ending the first war and initiated a peaceful dialogue among the nations2. However, France’s Georges Clemenceau, supported by David Lloyd of Britain, wanted revenge. Germany could not compromise its superiority. France’s intentions were mainly to suppress Germany and did not consider its grievances. Among the main driving factors to WW2 is the provision of the treaty that Germany was to pat for the damage. The provision in article 231 of the treaty, known as war guilt clause, had a major role in initiating WW2.

Economic rebuilding of Europe was a key provision of the treaty3. France attempted to devise strategies that impose limitations on the economic recovery and consequent rearmament of Germany. To achieve its mission, French administration advocated that Germany should account for the damage caused by the war. The economic suppression caused an inward rebellion on the treaty and making Germans seek any possible opportunity to break away from the treaty. This had the effect of making the Germans give total support to any radical leader who would promise to offer them freedom from the liability such as Adolf Hitler.

Another humiliation to Germany was on the directive to disarm and the limitation on army. They were not supposed to have an air force while opening crime cases on its leaders suspected to have caused ww1. Sovereignty of Germany was undermined by the condition that the ships its mercantile marine were to be taken by the allies and there were to make more for them henceforth.According to the treaty, boundaries of Germany were to be reestablished as well as lose its colonies. This instilled further economic strain on Germany while causing shame to it.

This resulted in resentment against the treaty and its provisions. As a result, political parties were formed. This made Germans have the urge to secure more land, which was seen in the invasion of such as Poland and Russia. The League of Nations was supposed to be formed to act as a peace watchdog. To be able to achieve its role, this body needed to have power and its own military. More so, not all nations joined the body, which further undermined its superiority. It, however, failed to prevent the emergence of WW2 that was prompted by Germany’s invasion of Poland and other surrounding areas.

Germany is the main contributor to the cause and advancement of WW2. Germany felt the need to break away from such bondage of the treaty as a way of reestablishing herself as a super power. It is in no doubt that she resulted into war due to her intimidation by the treaty which by all means was against her sovereignty. The breaking away from the treaty would mean disrespect to the allies, which resulted to World War 2.Works Cited Boemeke, Manfred., Gerald, Feldman And Elisabeth, Glaser. The Treaty Of Versailles: A Reassessment After 75 Years.

Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1998.Brezina, Corona. The Treaty Of Versailles, 1919: A Primary Source Examination Of The Treaty That Ended World War I. New York: Rosen Pub. Group. 2006.Shepley, Nick. Britain, France and Germany and the Treaty of Versailles: How the Allies Built a Flawed Peace. Luton: Andrews UK, 2011.