Treaty of Versailles

When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?

• 1919

• After WWI

What was significant about the Treaty of Versailles on Germany

• Instated hard penalties that crippled its economy and military.

What were some of the terms regarding Germany

• Military limited to 100,000

• No naval or aerial units

• Loss of territory

• $33bil USD in debt

• War guilt clause

Why, among all the treaty’s proceeding WWI, was the Treaty of Versailles most important?

• Harsh terms on Germany, some argue caused WWII

In what ways did the Treaty of Versailles assist in Hitler’s rise to power?

• Gave Hitler a thing to campaign for

• Left Germany with feelings of discontent

• Hindered the Economy greatly

• Ex. Hitler promised to overturn the Treaty and restore German pride, gaining popular support.

What was the Treaty of Saint-Germain? When was it signed?

• A treaty against Austria-Hungary

• Signed in 1919

What was significant about the Treaty of Saint-Germain

• Austria forbidden from unification with Germany.

• Left Austria economically weakened, landlocked, and politically unstable.

• TLDR: Weakened Austria-Hungary

What was Sally Marks thesis/view on the Treaty of Versailles?

• The Treaty of Versailles was not as vindictive as its critics claimed; it was a reasonable attempt at peace given the scale of German aggression in WWI.

• TLDR: TOV not too bad considering what Germany did

What was John Maynard Keynes thesis/view on the Treaty of Versailles?

• The Treaty of Versailles was economically disastrous and morally indefensible; its punitive reparations and economic constraints would destabilize all of Europe and provoke future conflict.

• TLDR: TOV was aggressive and would lead to conflict

• Interestingly, he wrote this before WWII