Was the Treaty of Versailles too harsh?

By George P. KyprianidesBy George P. Kyprianides

LLB, LLM with DistinctionLLB, LLM with Distinction

University of Reading University of Reading

Introduction:

TheThe Treaty of Versailles was too harsh for the German population. The Treaty of Versailles was too harsh for the German population. The Terms of the Treaty such as the war guilt, the reparations, and the Terms of the Treaty such as the war guilt, the reparations, and the colonial losses weakened Germany economically, militarily, and colonial losses weakened Germany economically, militarily, and territorially. The Treaty of Versaillesterritorially. The Treaty of Versailles contributed contributed in various other in various other problems such as the hyperinflation, and in long term the Second World problems such as the hyperinflation, and in long term the Second World War.War. On the other hand, Germany had to be punished for starting the WW1 On the other hand, Germany had to be punished for starting the WW1 so that aggression would be defeated, and prevent future wars.so that aggression would be defeated, and prevent future wars.

However, the terms of the Treaty were too harsh, and instead of However, the terms of the Treaty were too harsh, and instead of defeating an aggression they started another one that was even defeating an aggression they started another one that was even stronger and more revengeful.stronger and more revengeful.The Treaty could have been even harsher if Clemenseau got his way.The Treaty could have been even harsher if Clemenseau got his way.

This presentation presents both viewpoints, i.e. that the Treaty of This presentation presents both viewpoints, i.e. that the Treaty of Versailles was indeed too harsh; On the contrary, it also presents Versailles was indeed too harsh; On the contrary, it also presents evidence that show that the Treaty of Versailles was not too harsh.evidence that show that the Treaty of Versailles was not too harsh.After these evidence are presented it arrives to its conclusion.After these evidence are presented it arrives to its conclusion.

Background information: The Treaty of Versailles was the peace The Treaty of Versailles was the peace

settlement signed after Germany was settlement signed after Germany was defeated in the WW1.defeated in the WW1.

During the War, many millions of During the War, many millions of people in the World died. In Britain, people in the World died. In Britain, 750, 000 people were killed and 1,5 750, 000 people were killed and 1,5 million were wounded. In France 1,4 million were wounded. In France 1,4 million were killed and 2,5 million million were killed and 2,5 million were wounded. In the USA, 116,000 were wounded. In the USA, 116,000 were killed. In Germany 2 million were killed. In Germany 2 million people were dead.people were dead.

The Allies had defeated Germany and The Allies had defeated Germany and blamed her for starting the war. blamed her for starting the war.

The four main politicians involved in The four main politicians involved in the Treaty of Versailles were the Treaty of Versailles were Clemenseau (France), Lloyd George Clemenseau (France), Lloyd George (Britain), Wilson (USA), and Orlando (Britain), Wilson (USA), and Orlando (Italy). (Italy).

Soldiers dead from WW1

0

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000

1 2

Countries

Sol

dier

s

Britain

France

U.S.A

Germany

Italy

Belgium

Austria-Hungary

What were the Aims of the Big Three? The Prime Minister of France, Georges The Prime Minister of France, Georges

ClemenceauClemenceau wanted to punish Germany wanted to punish Germany harshly, seek for revenge of the humiliation harshly, seek for revenge of the humiliation caused in 1871, when France lost the caused in 1871, when France lost the Franco-Prussian war and Alsace-Lorraine Franco-Prussian war and Alsace-Lorraine was taken by Germany.was taken by Germany.

He wanted to cripple Germany He wanted to cripple Germany economically, milarily, and territorially.economically, milarily, and territorially.

The Prime Minister of Britain, Lloyd The Prime Minister of Britain, Lloyd GeorgeGeorge wanted to punish Germany but not wanted to punish Germany but not too harshly.too harshly.

He agreed that G should be blamed for the He agreed that G should be blamed for the war.war.

The German navy to be weakened.The German navy to be weakened. Germany to pay reparations.Germany to pay reparations.

The President of the USA, Widrow Wilson had very The President of the USA, Widrow Wilson had very

different aims.different aims. He did not want to punish Germany harshly so that it He did not want to punish Germany harshly so that it

will not seek for revenge in the future.will not seek for revenge in the future. He had drawn up his 14 points known as Wilson’s 14 He had drawn up his 14 points known as Wilson’s 14

points that would prevent a future war.points that would prevent a future war. Some of these points were international cooperation in Some of these points were international cooperation in

trade, disarmament, no secret treaties, a League of trade, disarmament, no secret treaties, a League of Nations to be set up.Nations to be set up.

Linked to the "Big Three" wasLinked to the "Big Three" was Italy Italy lead by lead by VittorioVittorio OrlandoOrlando. He was frequently left on the sidelines when . He was frequently left on the sidelines when the important negotiations took place despite Italy the important negotiations took place despite Italy fighting on the side of the Alliesfighting on the side of the Allies

As you can realise, Clemenceau and Wilson have As you can realise, Clemenceau and Wilson have completely different aims since Clemenceau completely different aims since Clemenceau wanted to wanted to punish G harshlypunish G harshly so that Germany so that Germany would not recover. On the other hand, Wilson would not recover. On the other hand, Wilson wanted G to be wanted G to be punished lightlypunished lightly so that it will not so that it will not seek for revenge. Lloyd George was somewhere seek for revenge. Lloyd George was somewhere between them because he wanted Germany between them because he wanted Germany punished but not too harshly, pay reparations, and punished but not too harshly, pay reparations, and accept the war guilt. accept the war guilt.

The terms of the Treaty of Versailles: 1.     Germany 1.     Germany had to accept the had to accept the BBlamelame for for

starting the war.starting the war. 2.     Germany had to pay £6,600 million (called 2.     Germany had to pay £6,600 million (called

RReparationseparations) for the damage done during the ) for the damage done during the war. war.

3.     Germany was forbidden to have 3.     Germany was forbidden to have submarines or an air force.   She could have a submarines or an air force.   She could have a navy of only six battleships, and an navy of only six battleships, and an AArmyrmy of of just 100,000 men.   In addition, Germany was just 100,000 men.   In addition, Germany was not allowed to place any troops in the not allowed to place any troops in the Rhineland, the strip of land, 50 miles wide, next Rhineland, the strip of land, 50 miles wide, next toto France. Conscription was banned. France. Conscription was banned.

4. League of Nations, even though G had 4. League of Nations, even though G had turned into a parliamentary monarchy, and turned into a parliamentary monarchy, and the Kaiser abdicated, it was not invited to the Kaiser abdicated, it was not invited to join the League.join the League.

5.     Germany lost 5.     Germany lost all its Territories. all its Territories. Germany’s European colonies were given Germany’s European colonies were given to Britain and France.to Britain and France.

The map below shows the territorial losses for Germany.The map below shows the territorial losses for Germany.

Map

Primary sources: Irs a Primary Source. It comes from a member Irs a Primary Source. It comes from a member

of the British delegation to Paris in 1919.of the British delegation to Paris in 1919. He says that the terms of the Treaty are too He says that the terms of the Treaty are too

harsh.harsh. The most harsh terms are the reparations and The most harsh terms are the reparations and

indemnity, the fact that they do not have indemnity, the fact that they do not have security, since their army in soldiers, tanks, and security, since their army in soldiers, tanks, and battleships were reduced.battleships were reduced.

In addition, all the people are unsatisfied with In addition, all the people are unsatisfied with this Treaty.this Treaty.

The only people who approve this Treaty are the The only people who approve this Treaty are the ‘fire-eaters’ (touch politicians) such as ‘fire-eaters’ (touch politicians) such as Clemenceau.Clemenceau.

Generally, this is a primary source since the Generally, this is a primary source since the author lived at the time and was also a member author lived at the time and was also a member of the British delegation in Paris.of the British delegation in Paris.

It is a reliable source for two reasons. Firstly, It is a reliable source for two reasons. Firstly, the author comes from Britain, who at the time the author comes from Britain, who at the time the British population wanted to punish the British population wanted to punish Germany harshly. On the contrary, the author Germany harshly. On the contrary, the author is objective because he says that the Treaty for is objective because he says that the Treaty for Germany is too harsh because of the reparations Germany is too harsh because of the reparations and security reasons.. Secondly, the letter is for and security reasons.. Secondly, the letter is for his father so letters like these are considered his father so letters like these are considered primary sources ant thus reliableprimary sources ant thus reliable

Source 17Source 17 I have every hope that Lloyd George, who I have every hope that Lloyd George, who

is fighting like a Welsh terrier, will is fighting like a Welsh terrier, will succeed in…imposing some succeed in…imposing some modification[change] in the terms…Now modification[change] in the terms…Now that we see them as a whole, we realise that we see them as a whole, we realise that they are much too stiff…the real that they are much too stiff…the real crime is the reparation and indemnity crime is the reparation and indemnity chapter, which is immoral and senseless. chapter, which is immoral and senseless. There is not a single person among the There is not a single person among the younger persons here who is not unhappy younger persons here who is not unhappy and disappointed at the terms. The only and disappointed at the terms. The only people who approve are the old fire-eaters.people who approve are the old fire-eaters.

Harold Nicolson (member of the British Harold Nicolson (member of the British delegation to Paris). Extract from delegation to Paris). Extract from Nicolson’s letter to his father, June 1919, Nicolson’s letter to his father, June 1919, from Peacemaking 1919, 1933.from Peacemaking 1919, 1933.

 

It’s a primary source because it comes It’s a primary source because it comes from Clemenseau who lived at the time from Clemenseau who lived at the time and took part in the Treaty of and took part in the Treaty of Versailles. He wrote this source in Versailles. He wrote this source in 1921, 2 years after the Treaty was 1921, 2 years after the Treaty was signed.signed.

He says that G was punished but not too He says that G was punished but not too harshly (not crushed) and they could harshly (not crushed) and they could join up and gain power again.join up and gain power again.

Clemenseau like the French population, Clemenseau like the French population, believed that the Treaty of Versailles believed that the Treaty of Versailles was not harsh enough.was not harsh enough.

Even though Even though The German army The German army was reduced to 100,000 men was reduced to 100,000 men and the German navy and the German navy disbanded. disbanded.

c.   £6,600 reparations for the c.   £6,600 reparations for the damage done during the war. damage done during the war.

d.   Germany lost Alsace-d.   Germany lost Alsace-Lorraine, other land in Europe, Lorraine, other land in Europe, and all her colonies.and all her colonies.

He was not satisfied. He wanted a He was not satisfied. He wanted a harsher treaty and Germany to be split harsher treaty and Germany to be split up into smaller states. So that it will be up into smaller states. So that it will be difficult to join up and regain power.difficult to join up and regain power.

Source BSource B Finally were there not, Finally were there not,

as to day, Germans, as to day, Germans, beaten but not beaten but not crushed, ready by a crushed, ready by a rare blending of rare blending of shameless trickery and shameless trickery and pugnacity to aspire to pugnacity to aspire to hegemony? hegemony?

Georges Clemenceau, writing in Georges Clemenceau, writing in 1921 about the need to subject 1921 about the need to subject Germany to harsh terms in the Germany to harsh terms in the

TreatyTreaty

This is a speech from Lloyd This is a speech from Lloyd George, the Prime Minister of George, the Prime Minister of Britain who took part in the Britain who took part in the Treaty of Versailles thus Treaty of Versailles thus primary source.primary source.

He says that the Treaty of He says that the Treaty of Versailles is too harsh for the Versailles is too harsh for the Germans.Germans.

Britain which is much richer Britain which is much richer than Germany, faced than Germany, faced difficulties in paying 1 billion difficulties in paying 1 billion pounds, and Germany has to pounds, and Germany has to pay 2 billion and thus that pay 2 billion and thus that would be very difficult for would be very difficult for Germany.Germany.

Germany was weaken greatly Germany was weaken greatly by seizing its colonies, by by seizing its colonies, by reducing its army to 100,000 reducing its army to 100,000 men, and other military forces, men, and other military forces, Also weakened by reparations.Also weakened by reparations.

SourceSource

I am one of the four upon whom I am one of the four upon whom devolved the onerous task of drafting devolved the onerous task of drafting the treaties of 1919 . . .  the treaties of 1919 . . . 

The conditions that were imposed The conditions that were imposed upon Germany were ruthlessly applied upon Germany were ruthlessly applied to the limit of her endurance. to the limit of her endurance. 

She paid £2,000,000,000 in She paid £2,000,000,000 in reparations. We experienced reparations. We experienced insuperable difficulties in paying insuperable difficulties in paying £1,000,000,000 to America - and we £1,000,000,000 to America - and we are a much richer country than are a much richer country than Germany.Germany.

We stripped her of all her colonies.We stripped her of all her colonies. We deprived her of part of her home We deprived her of part of her home

provinces.provinces. We took her great fleet away from her.We took her great fleet away from her. We reduced her army of millions to We reduced her army of millions to

100,000 men.100,000 men. We deprived her of artillery, tanks, We deprived her of artillery, tanks,

airplanes, and broke up all the airplanes, and broke up all the machinery she possessed for re-machinery she possessed for re-equipping equipping herself.herself.

David Lloyd GeorgeDavid Lloyd George

This source comes from This source comes from Whiston Churchill, a member Whiston Churchill, a member of the government, a serving of the government, a serving officer during the war and a officer during the war and a Prime Minister later on.Prime Minister later on.

It’s a primary source, Churchill It’s a primary source, Churchill lived at the time and was a lived at the time and was a member of the government at member of the government at the time.the time.

He believes that the Treaty of He believes that the Treaty of Versailles was a ‘fair Versailles was a ‘fair judgement’.judgement’.

France and Britain, ‘the authors France and Britain, ‘the authors of the new map of Europe’ of the new map of Europe’ were pleased.were pleased.

In addition, he says that this In addition, he says that this Treaty had pleased all the Treaty had pleased all the populations since they wanted populations since they wanted Germany to be punished and Germany to be punished and they had succeed.they had succeed.

Source 21Source 21 ……a fair judgement upon the a fair judgement upon the

settlement, a simple settlement, a simple explanation of how it arose, explanation of how it arose, cannot leave the authors of cannot leave the authors of the new map of Europe the new map of Europe under serious reproach. To under serious reproach. To an overwhelming extent the an overwhelming extent the wishes of the various wishes of the various populations prevailed.populations prevailed.

Whiston Churchill, speaking in Whiston Churchill, speaking in 1919. He had been a member of 1919. He had been a member of the government and a serving the government and a serving officer during the war.officer during the war.

Secondary sources:

It’s a secondary source that It’s a secondary source that comes from comes from John D Clare (2002).John D Clare (2002).

He says that the Treaty was too He says that the Treaty was too harsh for the German population.harsh for the German population.

Not only the Germans were appalled Not only the Germans were appalled by the Treaty of Versailles but also by the Treaty of Versailles but also many British and American politicians many British and American politicians and also a large proportion of the and also a large proportion of the British population.British population.

He says that we can understand how He says that we can understand how hard and badly the Germans felt by hard and badly the Germans felt by the fact that this lead them to support the fact that this lead them to support Adolf Hitler who was a dictator and Adolf Hitler who was a dictator and lead the world IN ANOTHER WAR lead the world IN ANOTHER WAR (WW2)(WW2)

    SourceSource It wasn’t just the Germans who It wasn’t just the Germans who

were horrified by the Treaty – were horrified by the Treaty – Lloyd George, JM Keynes, Lloyd George, JM Keynes, most of the British public, the most of the British public, the American Senate… they were American Senate… they were all astounded at how harsh it all astounded at how harsh it was. And if we – and they – was. And if we – and they – can understand just how crazy can understand just how crazy and unfair it all was, how badly and unfair it all was, how badly must the must the GermansGermans have felt? have felt?

And of course we know how And of course we know how badly the Germans felt – they badly the Germans felt – they felt 'Adolf Hitler' badly. felt 'Adolf Hitler' badly.

John D Clare (2002) John D Clare (2002)

This is a secondary source This is a secondary source that come from P.Alter, that come from P.Alter, 2000.2000.

He says that it was a light He says that it was a light Treaty for Germany,they Treaty for Germany,they had a moderate Treaty if had a moderate Treaty if someone considers that it someone considers that it had started the War.had started the War.

All the propaganda against All the propaganda against the Treaty was exaggerated the Treaty was exaggerated because it was too light because it was too light and G had escaped from and G had escaped from the consequences and the consequences and defeat of the War.defeat of the War.

Overall, it says that it was Overall, it says that it was not a harsh treaty.not a harsh treaty.

Source C: from the Source C: from the GermanGerman Question and Europe by Question and Europe by P.Alter, 2000.P.Alter, 2000.

The Germans failed to The Germans failed to appreciate the moderating appreciate the moderating influence exerted by the British influence exerted by the British on the Allies’ deliberations on the Allies’ deliberations when they began in Paris in when they began in Paris in 1919. Bearing in mind that G 1919. Bearing in mind that G has willingly started a war and has willingly started a war and that during the war, both sides that during the war, both sides in the conflict had voiced far in the conflict had voiced far reaching plans for annexations, reaching plans for annexations, the Versailles Treaty was in the Versailles Treaty was in fact moderate. fact moderate. This is oftenThis is often overlooked in the face of the overlooked in the face of the noisy complaints and noisy complaints and condemnations made by its condemnations made by its critics in later years. All the critics in later years. All the propaganda against the Treaty propaganda against the Treaty was highly exaggerated. The was highly exaggerated. The Germans did not fully grasp Germans did not fully grasp how lightly they had escaped how lightly they had escaped the consequences of war and the consequences of war and defeatdefeat..

Taylor in this source says Taylor in this source says that The Germans felt that that The Germans felt that the Treaty of Versailles the Treaty of Versailles was ‘unfair, wicked, and was ‘unfair, wicked, and a slave treaty’.a slave treaty’.

They did not sign it They did not sign it seriously and hoped to seriously and hoped to abundant it in the future. abundant it in the future. If it did not get destroyed If it did not get destroyed by its own illogical by its own illogical (rigid).(rigid).

Taylor believes that it Taylor believes that it was too harsh for the was too harsh for the Germans so they felt like Germans so they felt like they were slaves with this they were slaves with this Treaty.Treaty.

Source 2Source 2 Destined for Repudiation Though the Germans

accepted the treaty in the formal sense of agreeing to sign it, none took the signature seriously. The treaty seemed to them to be wicked, unfair, dictation, a slave treaty. All Germans intended to repudiate it at some time in the future, if it did not fall to pieces of its own absurdity.

AJP Taylor, The History of the First World War (1963))

  

What were the German reactions to the Treaty of Versailles? The Germans were horrified by the by the Treaty.The Germans were horrified by the by the Treaty. They would lose 10% of their land, all its overseas They would lose 10% of their land, all its overseas

colonies, 12.5% of its population, 16% of its colonies, 12.5% of its population, 16% of its coalfields and almost half of its iron and steel coalfields and almost half of its iron and steel industry.industry.

In addition, they had to accept the war guilt and In addition, they had to accept the war guilt and pay a large sum of 6.6 million pounds as pay a large sum of 6.6 million pounds as reparations. They felt that it was unfair since the reparations. They felt that it was unfair since the blame of the war should be shared.blame of the war should be shared.

They felt upset with the disarmament because 100 They felt upset with the disarmament because 100 000 soldiers was the a very small proportion for a 000 soldiers was the a very small proportion for a country of G’s size. Also, by the fact that they country of G’s size. Also, by the fact that they were the only ones to disarm.were the only ones to disarm.

Moreover, they felt a strong sense of injustice as Moreover, they felt a strong sense of injustice as they lost all their colonies which were the symbol they lost all their colonies which were the symbol of pride for them, and went to Britain and France.of pride for them, and went to Britain and France.

Lastly, the fact that they were not invited in the Lastly, the fact that they were not invited in the

League of NationsLeague of Nations made them feel even made them feel even more unhappy and seek for revenge. more unhappy and seek for revenge.

  

Source A:

The disgraceful Treaty is being signed today.       Don’t forget it!   We will never stop until we win back what we deserve.  

From Deutsche Zeitung, a German newspaper, 28 June 1919

'Peace and future cannon fodder' - 'Peace and future cannon fodder' - a British cartoon of 1920. a British cartoon of 1920.

'The Tiger' was a nickname for 'The Tiger' was a nickname for Clemenceau. In the caption, Clemenceau. In the caption, Clemenceau is saying: 'Curious! I Clemenceau is saying: 'Curious! I seem to hear a child weeping'. seem to hear a child weeping'.

How old will the weeping child How old will the weeping child be in 1940be in 1940? ?

This cartoon is suggesting that This cartoon is suggesting that there will be another war in 21 there will be another war in 21 years time.years time.      

As you can see, the child As you can see, the child that looks helpless and that looks helpless and cries represents G. After cries represents G. After the Treaty of Versailles, G the Treaty of Versailles, G was too weak and had no was too weak and had no choice but to accept the choice but to accept the Treaty.Treaty.

However, the However, the harshness of this harshness of this Treaty will make the Treaty will make the Germans seek for Germans seek for revenge. revenge.

In this cartoon, the In this cartoon, the vampire represents vampire represents Clemenseau sucking the Clemenseau sucking the life blood of the life blood of the Germany.Germany.

Germany is represented Germany is represented by the woman who has by the woman who has laid down but can do laid down but can do nothing.nothing.

It shows the weak It shows the weak position that G, and was position that G, and was now in the mercy of the now in the mercy of the French. French.

The message of this The message of this cartoon is that G is too cartoon is that G is too weak because the French weak because the French had crippled them by the had crippled them by the Treaty of VersaillesTreaty of Versailles..

Reactions of the public towards the Treaty of Versailles:

In France, the public was not satisfied by the Treaty. In France, the public was not satisfied by the Treaty. Clemenseau also believed that the Treaty was not too harsh Clemenseau also believed that the Treaty was not too harsh and G could recover and take power.and G could recover and take power.

In Britain, the public was satisfied with the Treaty. Lloyd In Britain, the public was satisfied with the Treaty. Lloyd George received a ‘hero's welcome’ back in Britain. George received a ‘hero's welcome’ back in Britain. However, he described the Treaty as ‘a great pity’ and However, he described the Treaty as ‘a great pity’ and indicated that he believed that another war would happen indicated that he believed that another war would happen soon because of it.soon because of it.

In the USA, they felt that the Treaty was too harsh. The In the USA, they felt that the Treaty was too harsh. The American Congress refused to approve the Treaty. Wilson American Congress refused to approve the Treaty. Wilson was very disappointed with the Treaty. He said that if he was very disappointed with the Treaty. He said that if he was a German he would not have signed it.was a German he would not have signed it.

The palace of Versailles in The palace of Versailles in Paris.Paris.

This is where the terms of This is where the terms of the Treaty were decided.the Treaty were decided.

At the time, the At the time, the atmosphere in Paris in atmosphere in Paris in 1919 was nasty 1919 was nasty (horrifying) due to the (horrifying) due to the many human loses from many human loses from the WW1. Some the WW1. Some historians argue that the historians argue that the terms of the Treaty were terms of the Treaty were too harsh reflecting the too harsh reflecting the atmosphere in Paris at atmosphere in Paris at the time.the time.

Effects of the Treaty of Versailles: The Treaty of Versalles The Treaty of Versalles

contributed in various problems contributed in various problems later on. Some of which are the later on. Some of which are the hyperinflation in 1923 and the hyperinflation in 1923 and the WW2 in 1939.WW2 in 1939.

The Reparations in the Treaty The Reparations in the Treaty of Versailles (6.6 million of Versailles (6.6 million pounds) contributed in the pounds) contributed in the hyperinflation because G could hyperinflation because G could not pay the Allies reparations. not pay the Allies reparations. The French needed the money The French needed the money to pay their loans so they to pay their loans so they invaded Rhineland. The invaded Rhineland. The government in order to solve government in order to solve the problem printed more the problem printed more money and borrowed money money and borrowed money from banks. As a result from banks. As a result hyperinflation was created.hyperinflation was created.

The Treaty of Versailles contributed in the WW2.The Treaty of Versailles contributed in the WW2. This was done because the Treaty was too harsh This was done because the Treaty was too harsh

and G wanted a revenge.and G wanted a revenge.

The Treaty of Versailles was one of the reasons The Treaty of Versailles was one of the reasons for Hitler to gain enormous power because he said for Hitler to gain enormous power because he said that if the Treaty of Versailles was a problem he that if the Treaty of Versailles was a problem he could abolish it. could abolish it.

As a result, he gained power, became a dictator, As a result, he gained power, became a dictator, and lead the World in Another WAR!and lead the World in Another WAR!

Conclusion:

It is fair to conclude that the Treaty of Versailles was It is fair to conclude that the Treaty of Versailles was too harsh on the German population.too harsh on the German population.

The Terms of the Treaty such as the war guilt, the The Terms of the Treaty such as the war guilt, the reparations, and the territorial losses weakened reparations, and the territorial losses weakened Germany economically, militarily, and territorially. Germany economically, militarily, and territorially.

It contributed in various problems some of which are It contributed in various problems some of which are the hyperinflation and in the long term the WW2. the hyperinflation and in the long term the WW2.

On the other hand, the Treaty could have been even On the other hand, the Treaty could have been even harsher if Clemenseau got his way.harsher if Clemenseau got his way.

Further thinking

Did this fuel the Germans with hatred?Did this fuel the Germans with hatred? WW2?WW2? Does this have any take at all on why Does this have any take at all on why

Germany in 2014 seems to a harsh player in Germany in 2014 seems to a harsh player in the E.U.the E.U.

Could this Treaty have anything to do with Could this Treaty have anything to do with the “direction” E.U. is going?the “direction” E.U. is going?