The Versailles Treaty majorly impacted the commencement of World War II. Signed June 28, 1919, the treaty marked the end of World War I; a watershed moment in European history. A total of 21 nations signed the document which was directed towards Germany. The treaty opens with, “from coming into force with the present treaty, the state of war will terminate from that moment, and subject to the provisions of this treaty official relations with Germany and its German states.()” After outlining the tasks the League of Nations are expected to fulfill, the treaty continues to express in over 200 pages restrictions which only apply to Germany. It began with Germany’s borders. To start, Germany must relinquish all control over Belgium and Luxemburg.
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Poland is to become an independent nation which may never be under any Eastern European influence. Austria was also to stay neutral in Eastern Europe and Alsace-Lorraine was to be returned to France(). Next, the treaty outlined Germany’s military restrictions. Articles 42 and 43 read, “Germany is forbidden to maintain or construct any fortifications east or west the Rhine River; in the area defined above, the assembly and maintenance of armed forces will be in the same way forbidden.” The Allies attempt to disarm a dominant militaristic power in these Articles will later backfire, but after World War I it was evident that an armed Germany was a danger to all of Europe. Lastly the Allies angered Germany with Article 231 which is the guilty clause. It reads, “the allied and associated governments affirm and Germany accepts the responsibility of Germany and her allies for causing all the loss and damage to which the allied and associated governments and their nationals have been subjected as a consequence of the war imposed upon them by the aggression of Germany and her allies.” The Versailles Treaty humiliated the German people as well as severed any hope for peace in
Poland is to become an independent nation which may never be under any Eastern European influence. Austria was also to stay neutral in Eastern Europe and Alsace-Lorraine was to be returned to France(). Next, the treaty outlined Germany’s military restrictions. Articles 42 and 43 read, “Germany is forbidden to maintain or construct any fortifications east or west the Rhine River; in the area defined above, the assembly and maintenance of armed forces will be in the same way forbidden.” The Allies attempt to disarm a dominant militaristic power in these Articles will later backfire, but after World War I it was evident that an armed Germany was a danger to all of Europe. Lastly the Allies angered Germany with Article 231 which is the guilty clause. It reads, “the allied and associated governments affirm and Germany accepts the responsibility of Germany and her allies for causing all the loss and damage to which the allied and associated governments and their nationals have been subjected as a consequence of the war imposed upon them by the aggression of Germany and her allies.” The Versailles Treaty humiliated the German people as well as severed any hope for peace in