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[[File:LLoyd's_News_Placard_announcing_Versailles_signing.jpg|thumbnail|175px250px|left|Lloyd's News reporting the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919.]]The delegates that crafted the treaty that ended the First World War believed that they had brought a lasting peace to Europe. President Wilson believed that the war had made much of the world safe for democracy to spread. However, conflicting goals, the harsh terms of the treaty and Germany’s response to those terms would to the most destructive conflict in world history - World War Two.__NOTOC__==Introduction==The guns fell silent on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. Over four years of incredible destruction came to a silent end. For the belligerent Central and Allied Powers , the armistice brought tremendous uncertainty. The Kaiser had just been overthrown , and a new alliance of Liberals and Socialists announced a democratic regime at Weimar, Germany. The other Central Powers had collapsed in disarray and revolution. Russia, out of the war in early 1918 , was in the midst of a deepening Civil War. Many of the Allies were exhausted and drained.

==Deliberations==[[File:Versailles_1919The delegates that crafted the treaty that ended the First World War believed that they had brought lasting peace to Europe.jpg|thumbnail|250px|Georges Clemenceau and Woodrow President Wilson at felt that the Formal Signing war had made much of the Treatyworld safe for democracy to spread.]]The delegates of the victorious powers met in Paris to discuss However, conflicting goals, the harsh terms of the peace, followed by the treaty's signing at the former French royal palace of Versailles. Led by the "Big Four," the U.S., France, Italy, and Great Britain. Each had their own goals and vulnerabilities. While the U.S. President Wilson adhered Germany’s response to an idealistic view of collective responsibility and ethnic self-determination, France was driven largely by one thing: revenge. France sought those terms would lead to avenge its humiliating loss almost fifty years earlier the most destructive conflict in the Francoworld history -Prussian World War that resulted in a united GermanyTwo. 

Generations == What were the goals of French policy had been consumed by this idea of revanchism and a clear opportunity finally presented itselfthe Allies after World War I? ==[[File:Versailles_1919. France demanded terms that would have completely de-industrialized jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|Georges Clemenceau and demilitarized GermanyWoodrow Wilson at the Formal Signing of the Treaty. ]]The French floated proposals that included breaking up Germany proper and creating a client state delegates of the victorious powers met in Paris to discuss the terms of the peace, followed by the treaty's signing at the industrial Rhinelandformer French royal palace of Versailles. France demanded harsh reparations for Led by the damage done to its country and Belgium during "Big Four," the conflictU. This would materialize in over $31 billion in reparations Germany was forced to pay in the treaty termsS. <ref>Roekmeke, FeldmanFrance, Italy, and Glaser, EditorsGreat Britain. Each had its own goals and vulnerabilities. <i>[https://wwwWhile the U.amazonS.com/gp/product/0521621321/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521621321&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0cPresident Wilson adhered to an idealistic view of collective responsibility and ethnic self-20&linkId=23707e21c609bf040f6ea201065827fb The Treaty of Versailles: A Reassessment after 75 Years]</i>determination, (New YorkFrance was driven largely by one thing: Cambridge University Press, 1997revenge. Page 90France sought to avenge its humiliating loss almost fifty years earlier in the Franco-Prussian War that resulted in a united Germany.</ref>

==Shortfalls==Each This idea of revanchism had consumed generations of the powers represented at the treaty conference came out with some disappointmentsFrench policy, to say the leastand a clear opportunity finally presented itself. France demanded terms that would have completely de-industrialized and demilitarized Germany. The British goal of stability was largely subverted by revolutions across Europe French floated proposals that included breaking up Germany proper and creating a client state in the industrial Rhineland. France's demand for increasing punishment demanded harsh reparations for the damage done to its country and Belgium during the conflict. Ultimately, Germany. Italy did not receive territory promised was forced to pay $31 billion in secret deliberations during reparations under the wartreaty. <ref>Roekmeke, Feldman, and Glaser, Editors. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521621321/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521621321&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=23707e21c609bf040f6ea201065827fb The largest shortfalls appeared for France and the United StatesTreaty of Versailles: A Reassessment after 75 Years]</i>, (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1997. Page 90.</ref>

President Wilson's lofty goals of internationalism fell asunder in == How did France dominant the postwar reality. The emerging League treaty conference after World War I? ==Each of Nations lacked the teeth needed to actually prevent an aggressive power from emerging and destroying powers represented at the fragile peacetreaty conference came out with some disappointments. Rather than creating a series The British goal of independent democracies stability was largely subverted by revolutions across Eastern Europe and the Middle East, conflict raged for years, leading France's demand to opportunities for Nazi increase Germany and Stalin's Russiapunishment. Furthermore, the United States never signed the Treaty of Versailles and joined Italy did not receive territory promised in secret deliberations during the Leaguewar. The U.S. Senate never ratified the Treaty, destroying Wilson's grand vision. <ref>Graebner, Norman and Bennett, Edward. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1107647487/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1107647487&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=c74d9defaf3a45523aa17dfc019a9d1c The Versailles Treaty largest shortfalls appeared for France and Its Legacy: The Failure of the Wilsonian Vision]</i>, (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2011United States. Pages 86-87)</ref>

However, it was France that had the largest impact. FrancePresident Wilson's incessant desire for revenge alienated its allies and sparked radical political movements lofty goals of internationalism fell asunder in Germanythe postwar reality. The French understood that emerging League of Nations lacked the country was completely drained by teeth needed to prevent aggressive power from emerging and destroying the war, losing almost half of its youngest adult male generationfragile peace. Paris developed Rather than creating a decidedly defensive postureseries of independent democracies across Eastern Europe and the Middle East, conflict raged for years, seeking various ways leading to box in opportunities for Hitler's Germany and humiliate GermanyStalin's Russia. France created alliances with many Furthermore, the United States never signed the Treaty of Versailles and joined the League. The U.S. Senate never ratified the new Eastern European statesTreaty, destroying Wilson's grand vision. <ref>Graebner, Norman and Bennett, none of which would adequately functionEdward. <i>[https://www.amazon. France also created a long line com/gp/product/1107647487/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1107647487&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=c74d9defaf3a45523aa17dfc019a9d1c The Versailles Treaty and Its Legacy: The Failure of defenses along the new Franco-German border. This Maginot Line proved to be less than up to the task in 1940Wilsonian Vision]</i>, (New York: Cambridge University Press, despite substantial effort and investment2011.Pages 86-87)</ref>

==German Reaction==[[File:Mass_demonstration_in_front_of_the_Reichstag_against_the_Treaty_of_VersaillesHowever, it was France that had the most significant impact.jpg|left|thumbnail|300px|Mass Demonstration against the Treaty of Versailles at the Reichstag France's constant desire for revenge alienated its allies and sparked radical political movements in 1919Germany.]] Naturally, The French understood that Germany was less than thrilled about their situation. By November 1918 nary a square mile was under Allied occupation and utterly drained by the Kaiser's troops still occupied a substantial part war, losing almost half of Belgiumits youngest adult male generation. German propaganda had been announcing for months that their soldiers were very close Paris developed a decidedly defensive posture, seeking various ways to victory through much of 1918box in and humiliate Germany. And in France created alliances with many waysof the new Eastern European states, they had beennone of which would adequately function. The shock France also produced a long line of defeat coupled with the harsh terms proposed carved an indelible mark in defenses along the new Franco-German psycheborder. This led Maginot Line proved to be less than up to the famous "stab task in 1940, despite the back" theory that was so utilized by Hitler. The sight of American, British, French, substantial effort and Belgian occupying the Rhineland pierced the brief calm after the fighting endedinvestment.


Furthermore, == How did Germany's acceptance React to the Treaty of Article 231, commonly referred to as Versailles? ==[[File:Mass_demonstration_in_front_of_the_Reichstag_against_the_Treaty_of_Versailles.jpg|thumbnail|left||300px|Mass Demonstration against the War Guilt Clause was for many Treaty of Versailles at the final strawReichstag in 1919. ]] Naturally, Germany had to accept the full responsibility for the warwas less than thrilled about their situation. By November 1918, nary a square mile was under Allied occupation, including and the actions Kaiser's troops still occupied a substantial part of its alliesBelgium. This came with a heavy price. Across its territory, various portions German propaganda had been announcing for months that their soldiers were carved off or plebiscites prepared. Germany lost all very close to victory through much of its overseas colonies1918. France gained Alsace-Lorraine and its resources and industry lost And in the Franco-Prussian War. France also occupied the Saarlandmany ways, also rich in coalthey had been. Votes were held in other regionsThe shock of defeat, coupled with Denmark regaining territory lost to Prussia the harsh terms proposed, carved an indelible mark in the 19th Century and Poland gaining territory in both Prussia and SilesiaGerman psyche. Perhaps most insulting was the Allied requirement that Poland have access This unexpected defeat led to the sea, creating a strip that divided Germany famous "stab in twothe back" theory utilized by Hitler. The predominately German-speaking city sight of Danzig became a free city. <ref>RoekmekeAmerican, British, ''Reassessment''French, Page 45and Belgian occupying the Rhineland pierced the brief calm after the fighting ended.</ref>

Germany's military was almost disarmed. German troops were not allowed in the Rhineland, Germany's main industrial region that bordered France. Furthermore, the Reichswehr was limited to just 100,000 soldiers. The air force was banned from having combat aircraft and the German navy lost nearly all of its surface ships and all of its submarines. Tanks were forbidden. What had been arguably the strongest army in the world was humiliated for a second time. <ref>Sharp, Alan. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/033380077X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=033380077X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0cdh-20&linkId=3c0f73cc4aacf358986394a403a79bed The Versailles Settlement]</i> (New York: Palgrave MacMillan, Second Edition, 2008. Page 132-133.<ad/ref>

Versailles hung heavily on 
Furthermore, Germany's acceptance of Article 231, commonly referred to as the German consciousness immediatelyWar Guilt Clause, was for many the final straw. Various political partiesGermany had to accept the full responsibility for the war, especially on including the emerging far right desperately campaigned against the termsactions of its allies. This came at a heavy price. FurthermoreAcross its territory, armed militiasvarious portions were carved off or plebiscites prepared. Germany lost all of its overseas colonies. France gained Alsace-Lorraine, often called the Stahlhelm (Steel Helmets) organized across and its resources and industry were lost in the country burnished by Great Franco-Prussian War veterans and armaments. These militia helped lead to further undermine France also occupied the unstable Weimar governmentSaarland, already accused by many on also rich in coal. Votes were held in other regions, with Denmark regaining territory lost to Prussia in the right of being born on 19th Century and Poland gaining territory in Prussia and Silesia. Perhaps most insulting was the corpse of Allied requirement that Poland has access to the empiresea, creating a strip divided Germany into two. A bizarre combination The predominately German-speaking city of new political party combined with militias led to emerging Communist and National Socialist conflictDanzig became a free city. <ref>Roekmeke, ''Reassessment'', Page 45.</ref>

The treaty required Germany to disarm. German troops were not allowed in the Rhineland, Germany's main industrial region that bordered France. Furthermore, the Reichswehr was limited to just 100,000 soldiers. The air force was banned from having combat aircraft, and the German navy lost most of its surface ships and all of its submarines. Tanks were forbidden. What had been arguably the strongest army in the world was humiliated for a second time. <ref>Sharp, Alan. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/033380077X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=033380077X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=3c0f73cc4aacf358986394a403a79bed The Versailles Settlement]</i> (New York: Palgrave MacMillan, Second Edition, 2008. Page 132-133.</ref> Versailles hung heavily on the German consciousness immediately. Various political parties, especially on the emerging far-right, desperately campaigned against the terms. Furthermore, armed militias often called the Stahlhelm (Steel Helmets) organized across the country burnished by Great War veterans and armaments. This militia helped lead to further undermine the unstable Weimar government, already accused by many of the right to be born on the empire's corpse. A bizarre combination of the new political party combined with militias led to emerging Communist and National Socialist conflict. ==Conclusion==Rather than foster long -term peace and stability, the Versailles Treaty's main goal of handling Germany instead sparked movements that would lead directly into World War II. The National Socialist, or Nazi, party would use Party used widespread anger about Versailles with the economic collapse of the Great Depression to come to power in 1933. Six years later , the world was again at war, this time far more destructive and incorporating widespread genocide. The inability for Wilson's ideals to come to widespread fruition led to further devolving situations in Eastern Europe and Asia also allowed for Soviet and Japanese expansionism. Far from preventing another war, in many ways , Versailles instead caused another one. ====Suggested Readings====* Michael S. Neiberg <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0190659181/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0190659181&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=9187758485abe727318e423b124b3f79 The Treaty of Versailles: A Concise History]</i> (New York: Oxford University Press, 2017)* Sharp, Alan. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/033380077X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=033380077X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=3c0f73cc4aacf358986394a403a79bed The Versailles Settlement]</i> (New York: Palgrave MacMillan, Second Edition, 2008)* Graebner, Norman and Bennett, Edward. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1107647487/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1107647487&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=c74d9defaf3a45523aa17dfc019a9d1c The Versailles Treaty and Its Legacy: The Failure of the Wilsonian Vision]</i>, (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2011)* Roekmeke, Feldman, and Glaser, Editors. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521621321/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521621321&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=23707e21c609bf040f6ea201065827fb The Treaty of Versailles: A Reassessment after 75 Years]</i>, (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1997)

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