Arguments why the treaty was too harsh

1. Arguments why the treaty was too harsh

2. Reasons the treaty was not fair • So much was taken away (13% of land, 12% of pop.) • Self-determination doesn’t apply to Germany Parts of Austria and Czechoslovakia would have voted to be part of Germany but not allowed to • Germans feel a sense of injustice, they didn’t start the war, some feel they didn’t even lose the war • Diktat – Germany was not involved in the peace talks • Allied powers don’t disarm – 14 points said that all countries should start to disarm • British and French empires increasing – Imperialism was one cause of the war and they continue with it.

3. Arguments why it was not harsh enough

4. Reasons why the treaty was fair • Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (1918) shows how harsh Germany was on Russia • Germany was more responsible than other countries for the start of the war – Blank Cheque to Austria-Hungry – Schlieffen plan • Big 3 needed to listen to their populations, a more lenient treaty would not have been accepted • Only the German empire survived so they were not punished too much! • Germany rises within a generation to threaten the balance of power again!

5. Was the Treaty of Versailles a Cause of WWII? • The treaty left Germany powerful and resentful = Want revenge and still have the power to do it • If the treaty had been less harsh Germany would not feel so resentful, their economy would have improved and their pride not so damaged • If the treaty had been more harsh Germany would not have had the power to challenge the world again 20 years later

6. More resent views of Historians • The issue was that Germany believed it was too harsh • Enforcement was the issue, not that it was too harsh