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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 Great Britain. Each had its own goals and Glaser, Editorsvulnerabilities. While the U.S. ''The Treaty President Wilson adhered to an idealistic view of Versailles: A Reassessment after 75 Years''collective responsibility and ethnic self-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>

This idea of revanchism had consumed generations of French policy, and a clear opportunity finally presented itself. France demanded terms that would have completely de-industrialized and demilitarized Germany. The French floated proposals that included breaking up Germany proper and creating a client state in the industrial Rhineland. France demanded harsh reparations for the damage done to its country and Belgium during the conflict. Ultimately, Germany was forced to pay $31 billion in reparations under the treaty. <ref>Roekmeke, Feldman, and Glaser, Editors. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521621321/ref=as_li_tl?ie=ShortfallsUTF8&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. Page 90.</ref>

== How did France dominant the treaty conference after World War I? ==Each of the powers represented at the treaty conference came out with some disappointments, to say the least. The British goal of stability was largely subverted by revolutions across Europe and France's demand for increasing to increase Germany's punishment for Germany. Italy did not receive territory promised in secret deliberations during the war. The largest shortfalls appeared for France and the United States.

President Wilson's lofty goals of internationalism fell asunder in the postwar reality. The emerging League of Nations lacked the teeth needed to actually prevent an aggressive power from emerging and destroying the fragile peace. Rather than creating a series of independent democracies across Eastern Europe and the Middle East, conflict raged for years, leading to opportunities for Nazi Hitler's Germany and Stalin's Russia. Furthermore, the United States never signed the Treaty of Versailles and joined the League. 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 and Its Legacy: The Failure of the Wilsonian Vision'']</i>, (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2011. Pages 86-87)</ref>

However, it was France that had the largest most significant impact. France's incessant constant desire for revenge alienated its allies and sparked radical political movements in Germany. The French understood that the country Germany was completely utterly drained by the war, losing almost half of its youngest adult male generation. Paris developed a decidedly defensive posture, seeking various ways to box in and humiliate Germany. France created alliances with many of the new Eastern European states, none of which would adequately function. France also created produced a long line of defenses along the new Franco-German border. This Maginot Line proved to be less than up to the task in 1940, despite the substantial effort and investment.

==German Reaction How did Germany React to the Treaty of Versailles? ==[[File:Mass_demonstration_in_front_of_the_Reichstag_against_the_Treaty_of_Versailles.jpg|thumbnail|left||300px|Mass Demonstration against the Treaty of Versailles at the Reichstag in 1919.]] Naturally, Germany was less than thrilled about their situation. By November 1918, nary a square mile was under Allied occupation, and the Kaiser's troops still occupied a substantial part of Belgium. German propaganda had been announcing for months that their soldiers were very close to victory through much of 1918. And in many ways, they had been. The shock of defeat, coupled with the harsh terms proposed, carved an indelible mark in the German psyche. This unexpected defeat led to the famous "stab in the back" theory utilized by Hitler. The sight of American, British, French, and Belgian occupying the Rhineland pierced the brief calm after the fighting ended.

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


Furthermore, Germany's military acceptance of Article 231, commonly referred to as the War Guilt Clause, was almost disarmedfor many the final straw. German troops were not allowed in Germany had to accept the full responsibility for the Rhinelandwar, Germany's main industrial region that bordered Franceincluding the actions of its allies. This came at a heavy price. FurthermoreAcross its territory, the Reichswehr was limited to just 100,000 soldiersvarious portions were carved off or plebiscites prepared. The air force was banned from having combat aircraft and the German navy Germany lost nearly all of its surface ships overseas colonies. France gained Alsace-Lorraine, and all of its submarines. Tanks resources and industry were forbiddenlost in the Franco-Prussian War. What had been arguably France also occupied the strongest army Saarland, also rich in coal. Votes were held in other regions, with Denmark regaining territory lost to Prussia in the world 19th Century and Poland gaining territory in Prussia and Silesia. Perhaps most insulting was humiliated for the Allied requirement that Poland has access to the sea, creating a strip divided Germany into two. The predominately German-speaking city of Danzig became a second timefree city. <ref>SharpRoekmeke, Alan. ''The Versailles Settlement (New York: Palgrave MacMillanReassessment'', Second Edition, 2008. Page 132-13345.</ref>

Versailles hung heavily on The treaty required Germany to disarm. German troops were not allowed in the German consciousness immediately. Various political partiesRhineland, especially on the emerging far right desperately campaigned against the termsGermany's main industrial region that bordered France. Furthermore, armed militiasthe Reichswehr was limited to just 100, often called the Stahlhelm (Steel Helmets) organized across the country burnished by Great War veterans and armaments000 soldiers. These militia helped lead to further undermine the unstable Weimar governmentThe air force was banned from having combat aircraft, already accused by many on and the right German navy lost most of its surface ships and all of being born on its submarines. Tanks were forbidden. What had been arguably the corpse of strongest army in the empireworld was humiliated for a second time. A bizarre combination of new political party combined with militias led to emerging Communist and National Socialist conflict<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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