Layne Kief

Treaty of Versailles DBQ

Western Civ. Period 5

Over 60 million people were killed in World War II, this is over 3% of the 1939 world population.
Historians may say that this was started by the Treaty of Versailles. The Treaty of Versailles was signed
by the Allied nations of Great Britain, France, United States, and the defeated Germany. They wanted to
stabilize Europe and ensure that there would not be another catastrophic war. This was made to stop the
current and future war, ironically it started World War II. The Treaty of Versailles was the cause of World
War II by prosperous territorial losses, military restrictions, terrible economic reparations, and the War
Guilt Clause.
Germany was greatly weakened by the territorial losses due to the Treaty of Versailles. Germany
lost Alsace, Lorraine, the Polish Corridor, and Danzig which were all coal-producing areas. These
territories being taken away caused Germany to lose income from the port. This was significant because
losing the Polish Corridor split Germany in half. Many Germans lost hope when their territories were
taken away, therefore they had to adapt to this change and it was a struggle for some. This caused
Germany to have less income, to include, the coal production areas and the ports that are no longer
usable.
In addition to the territorial losses, the treaty also caused Germany to struggle with military
restrictions. Germany was only allowed 100,000 military troops, to continue, this is not a great amount
and it is a struggle to have a powerful army with that being their limit of troops. This made Germany have
a small army in comparison to the others surrounding them. France had the largest army and they were
the country in charge, on the contrary, this made Germany feel very weak and unsafe. Germany had to
fight for themselves because of the insecurity caused by their neighbors who are stronger, bigger, and
better.
Another factor that the Treaty of Versailles used on Germany is their economic reparations.
Germany was required to pay reparations by an Inter-Allied Commission, however if the Germans did not
pay the balance due, they would be able to decide the consequences. The Germans had no power or
control over their payments that were due, but slowly the amount of money reduced as the years went by.
Germany were angry and humiliated at first and paid little in the 1920s and only paid 2 billion over 3
years. Once Hitler came to power, all the reparation payments stopped.
The Treaty of Versailles caused war guilt for Germany. Germany is put responsible for close to
everything, furthermore, their responsibilities are for the loss and damage for World War I. The German
people think that this is unfair and injustice, they think that this should be destroyed. What they knew of
the treaty was etched indelibly in their minds and could be abbreviated in single word: humiliation
(Document D). When Hitler came to power, he restored their pride, self respect, and the world to look at
Germany. This in turn, boosts their self confidence which was a welcomed change.

Although the Germans had suffered greatly by territorial losses, military restrictions, economic
reparations, and the War Guilt Clause in the Treaty of Versailles. The Germans went through struggles of
weakness, injustice, and humiliation, but Hitler came and took power. He made them more confident and
brought them up from their difficulties.

Works Cited

Hitler, A., & Manheim, R. (1972). Mein Kampf. London (3 Fitzroy Sq., W.1): Hutchinson.

Moyer, L. (1995). Victory must be ours: Germany in the Great War, 1914-1918. New York: Hippocrene
Books.

Treaty of Versailles(1919). Article 160

Treaty of Versailles(1919). Article 232

Treaty of Versailles(1919). Article 233