Did the Treaty of Versailles Make World War II Inevitable - Coursework Example

Did the Treaty of Versailles Make World War II Inevitable? Strong perceptions of worldwide disgrace, reduced borders, nationalistic pride and self-preservation followed on the heels of World War I in Germany. These perceptions emanated from the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, a document that initiated deep-rooted and intense sentiments which Hitler and the Nazi Party ultimately exploited for their own objective of world domination. While the treaty was intended as a punishment and a means of controlling the expansionists, the Germans did not view their actions in such light and felt the treaty went too far in reducing its territory and ability to protect itself. It was perceived that Germany was being whittled away and most Germans were more than willing to defend their country from the ultimate destruction they were certain was intended. World War II claimed more lives and involved more countries than any war that preceded or has followed this truly global conflict. More than 60 million people were killed including six million Jews by the hands of the Nazi’s and the world entered the jet and nuclear age by war’s end. The war which ‘made the world safe for democracy,’ was caused by a myriad of complex issues but was initially instigated by the signing of the Versailles Treaty at the end of WWI on June 28, 1919. In essence, the treaty was intended as punishment dealt out by the allies to Germany as retribution for its unprovoked aggressive military actions. The German people were told and believed its army was only defending its borders and taking back some lands previously held by the country. Germans deeply resented abiding by the financial, territorial and military concessions outlined in the treaty, resentments which were further exacerbated by the hardships resulting from the agreement. In addition, the exceedingly nationalistic sentiments of the German people were at its height at that time. Feelings of German pride were greatly damaged following the humiliation of losing a war they perceived to be a draw. Germans were well aware that the rest of the world looked upon them with contempt and as the losers. These perceptions emanated from the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, a document that initiated deep-rooted and intense sentiments which Hitler and the Nazi Party ultimately exploited for their own objective of world domination. The Treaty of Versailles was, to say the least, a controversial pact. The French wanted to dissolve the country of Germany while the U.S., specifically President Woodrow Wilson, favored more of a ‘forgive and forget’ approach. The Germans were convinced that Wilson’s point of view would prevail, or more correctly, were convinced by Wilson and were very shocked and surprised by the resulting Treaty. “It was too harsh to reconcile Germany with its former war enemies and to integrate it into a lasting peaceful postwar order, and it was too mild to weaken Germany so as to make it impossible for it to ever again become a great power” (Ryder, 1976 p. 203). Historians generally agree that the Treaty was largely responsible for the Nazi’s rise to power therefore the ensuing carnage of WWII. According to the terms of the treaty, the Germans were forced to relinquish the Alsace-Lorraine region to France and consented to a military occupation by the allies (American, British, French and Belgian) in the majority of western Germany including the Rhineland and many cities. Belgium, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Denmark gained sections of former German territories. The German military machine that terrorized Western and Eastern Europe was all but dismantled. “Germany had to disarm almost completely and was only allowed an army of 100,000 men, was forbidden to own military airplanes, submarines, tanks, heavy artillery, and poison gas and had to demilitarize a 50-kilometer zone on the right bank of the Rhine” (Ryder, 1976 p. 204) Additionally, the German Navy was reduced significantly to only a handful of small vessels. Financial reparations outlined in the treaty were substantial and ambiguous. Germany was forced to effectively sign over a blank check to the countries of Western Europe, an enormous amount that was to be paid-out for several decades (“The Treaty of Versailles” 2007). The German citizens and leaders were shocked when the terms of the Versailles Treaty were learned. The worst case scenario imagined by the Germans was far exceeded by a treaty that was, in their perspective, exceedingly and undeservedly harsh. The treaty met immediate and nearly unanimous opposition by the German people well before its reluctant signing by a German envoy that had little option but to acquiesce. The two men of the German government who were initially selected to sign the treaty resigned rather than attach their name to the document and therefore accept responsibility for what they considered a travesty of justice. What incensed the Germans most was the signed admission they had initiated military actions and were therefore financially liable for the destruction that resulted from the war. Further, that the amount of the reparations was open-ended and non-specific was extremely troublesome. Many rightfully feared that the economic burden levied by the treaty would mean the collapse of the country itself, that the allies were intent on continuing an economic war until it defeated Germany (“The Treaty of Versailles” 2007). From the end of the war, Germans were anticipating a military uprising or suffer ultimate defeat to the allies. The treaty stipulated that the undersigned countries would eventually disarm themselves but this was hardly assuring to the Germans. “They had no guarantee that the other nations would disarm, too, and thus it seemed as if the Germans would be held in eternal financial and military bondage” (Ryder, 1976 p. 204). Germany was a smaller country after its border regions had been given, or given back, to surrounding nations. Many Germans and German towns were suddenly Austrian, French, or Polish, etc. which infuriated the intently nationalistic German peoples. The Treaty of Versailles was unquestionably the catalyst that not only ignited the fire of resentment and calls for retaliation by the vast majority of Germans but continually fanned the flames as well during the years leading up to WWII. The treaty caused the widespread confusion and discontent that ruled Germany immediately after the WWI surrender. Nationalists openly demonstrated contempt for the former German government’s willingness to sign the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler saw this as an emotional sentiment that was still a fresh wound in Germany and could be used as a rallying point and catalyst to gain public support. This, along with deep feelings of nationalism that existed in Germany at that time, the indoctrinations techniques of the Third Reich and military successes, which added to Germany’s economic gains, would yield the backing needed for what would be a formidable plan. One of the many nationalist groups that existed in 1919 was the German Workers’ Party, precursor to The National Socialist German Workers’ Party (The organization that launched Hitler’s assent to power) (Florida Holocaust Museum, 2003). When Hitler was appointed Chancellor in 1933, Germany immediately abandoned the League of Nations and after reoccupying the Rhineland in 1936 and rearmed Germany. His regime soon began to terrorize other countries of Europe, both clear and overt violations of the Versailles Treaty (Pike, 2005). The terms contained within the Treaty of Versailles, whether justifiable or not, were indeed harsh. The Germans were humiliated, stripped of territories, military and the financial means to thrive, or possibly survive, as a nation. The Wilson concept was decidedly more lenient and if it had been adopted as the final draft would have prevented the intense hostile feelings of the Germans towards those countries that imposed the treaty. The implementation of the Wilson plan may very well have also prevented Hitler’s rise to power and the deaths of more than 60 million people. France feared that if Germany was allowed to become strong, it would attack again therefore it demanded that it be made weak. The Versailles Treaty was possibly the cruelest example of an ironic circumstance in the history of humankind. Works Cited Florida Holocaust Museum Foundation of the Nazi Party. (2003). November 18, 2007 Pike, John. “World War Two.” Military. (April 27, 2005). Global Security.org. November 18, 2007 “The Treaty of Versailles.” Waterville, Maine: Colby College, (2007). November 18, 2007 Ryder, A.J. “Twentieth Century Germany.” Columbia University Press, November 1976. Read More