Treaty Of Versailles Chapter 1 Summary

The Treaty of Versailles was supposed to be a salvation for Europe post- WWI, but it ended up bringing about another war and a depression among the countries. The “victors” seemed to be too focused on getting what they believed they deserved rather than serving what the treaty was supposed to be based on morals. Article 231 goes to prove that Great Britain and France really wanted someone to blame and to pay for the war. Creating a War Guilt Clause and naming Germany the only antagonist to the war isolated the country and did the opposite of what the League of Nations should have accomplished for Europe. France, in its fear, took more from Germany than it should have and they left them in a depression that would push them into another fear. Instead of making Germany too weak to fight again in the future, it motivated them to …show more content…
While reading this chapter I realize Wilson was romanticized by Kissinger and how the US were praised for trying to be a hero for European foreign affairs. The description of Wilsonism gives way for Wilson’s 14 points and his wanting to accomplish world peace. However, that really didn’t happen. I believe it went down into history as a positive/valuable type of ideology because it was used to encourage Allied forces to stick together. Honestly, I think the US just develops ideas and alliances just to be able to protect themselves when they try to start pushing another country's buttons. Wilson came into Europe with a plan at hand, coming in to “save the day,” and Americans seemed to have idealized his determination to lead. In my opinion, what Wilson did more than anything was cause waves, rather than settling any disputes. Also, in American eyes, his plan of action must have looked pretty