Zach Chapman

Treaty of Versailles DBQ

W.C. Period 5
How Did the Versailles Treaty Help Cause World War II?
Throughout the course of World War II over 60 million people were killed. This war has been
speculated to have been directly correlated with the Treaty of Versailles and the consequences that
immediately followed. World War I was fought between the years of 1914 and 1918. The direct cause of
this conflict was due to nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and alliance systems. After the war, France
and Britain demanded Germany be severely punished for its actions. As a result, Germany had to pay
enormous reparations. In addition to reparations, Germany also was forced to surrender land to the allies
which resulted in numerous independent countries. This caused bitterness between Germany and other
European nations which led to the rise of Hitler. Consequently, World War I resulted in the writing of the
Treaty of Versailles which caused Germany to become bitter and initiate conflict, which would become
World War II, due to territorial losses, a reduction in military, reparations, and the War Guilt Clause.
As a consequence of the Treaty of Versailles, Germanys land was severely reduced. Germany
had lost Alsace Lorraine, Polish Corridor, and a piece of Denmark. Included in the lost land was an
abundance of natural resources necessary to maintain an advanced industrial nation. This loss in land
resulted in a 40% drop in coal production for Germany. Additionally, Germany lost the port city of Danzig
which had generated a large amount of income. Germans living in the lost land would now have to move
from their homes or adapt to the the new countrys culture. Hitler elaborates, (1924) ...the restoration of
the frontiers of 1914 could be achieved only by blood. Only childish and naive minds can lull themselves
in the idea that they bring about a correction of Versailles by wheedling and begging No nation can
remove this hand from its throat except by the sword (Mein Kampf). In the excerpt from Hitler leads the
reader to believe that the only possible way to retrieve the lost land from the Treaty of Versailles is by
uniting as one and fighting. Due to the lack of faith in previous government, the German people elect
Adolf Hitler. Hitler would in turn would be the beginning of World War II.
Moving forward, the Treaty of Versailles additionally restricted the German military so as to keep
them from attacking France in the future. According to Article 160 of the Treaty of Versailles (1919),
Germany was only allotted a mere 100,000 troops (Doc B). This limited military was only enough to act
as an internal police force for the people of Germany. In addition the military could only be used to
maintain order instead of attacking a foreign country. As shown in a German political cartoon (1920s),
France seems to be in control of the many countries surrounding Germany (Doc B). As a result the
German people were led to believe that France was their sole enemy and this was a common focus that
would unite them. For Germany, France was their scapegoat for the poverty and high inflation rates.
With this deep hatred for France, Germany had reason enough to start a war which ended up being World
War II.

Furthermore, the Treaty of Versailles Germany had to pay reparations because of the destruction
done to the land and damage done to the cities. Germany had to pay because they were the losers of the
war. Since the allies were victorious, they were the ones who decided how much Germany paid and what
they paid in. Besides the land and reduction in military, Germany also had to pay reparations. Germany
was forced to pay 132 billion gold marks for the destruction and death of World War I. By todays
standards they would have paid 367 billion U.S. Dollars. However, that was not all that the allies were
planning for Germany. According to Article 233, if Germany was not to meet its obligated payments, then
the Allied Governments were to determine where the payments would be (Doc C). This is clear evidence
that the Treaty of Versailles was directly involved in the start of World War II because they had been
causing resentment from Germany by enforcing hefty payments.
Moreover, according to the Treaty of Versailles Article 231, Germany was the cause of loss and
destruction for all the countries involved. As a result of this accusation, the German people were
outraged and felt this was an atrocious injustice. When Hitler came into power he had restored the
German peoples sense of pride for their country. This is further proof that the Treaty of Versailles caused
World War II. The German people were afraid and desperate, and Hitler was there to motivate and
comfort them. Because of Hitler rising to power during this difficult time, the Nazi party had gained control
of the government and World War II was inevitable.
Although the Treaty of Versailles was intended to create and maintain international peace
between nations for many years, it accomplished the exact opposite. The terms in the treaty had
developed into an international crisis. Additionally, Germany retained no voice throughout the discussion
of terms that were to be written in the treaty. Germanys sole purpose at the conference was to merely
sign the proposed terms from which they had no say in. Through the loss in land, reduced military,
absurd reparations, and the War Guilt Clause, Germany had developed a deep hatred for many foreign
nations. Along with this hatred was desperation and fear. These feeling were met only with a promise to
make amends and retain what was lost. This promise was made by Adolf Hitler, and due to his rise to
power, he simply united Germany. Through the Treaty of Versailles World War II was unavoidable.

Work Cited
Adolf Hitler Mien Kampf. (1924). Page 124
Treaty of Versailles. (1919). Article 160
Treaty of Versailles. (1919). Article 231