The Treaty of Versailles: A Complete Failure

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In December of 1918, The Allies of Europe met in Versailles to Sign possibly one of the most changing documents in history. The document they signed nearly turned Europe upside down, broke down and put up many new social barriers, and definitely made history. The Document that the allied forces all gathered to sign was known as the Treaty of Versailles. Initially, the treaty intended to keep peace between the nations, however, forcing Germany to sign the treaty ended up as one of the worst decisions anybody could have made. The forced signing created tensions between Germany and other countries, let Germany rise back up to Power, Created an optimal situation for Germany to wage war, and ultimately caused World War II, resulting in one of the biggest failures in Debate and Diplomacy of all time.

After World War I, the treaty, supposedly the end of all the violence put Germany in a very tight spot. Either Germany could sign the treaty and have the protection of the allies, or they could crumble and taken over with ease. Obviously Germany had a bitter and reluctant attitude toward this because they felt it was more important to keep their dignity and not have set restrictions as to what they could do than put on a leash and tied up to a pole. However, they chose to sign the treaty and to their benefit, they slowly gained back their power under the wing of the allies, all the while holding a deeply rooted grudge. A look back to the end of the First World War and the start of the treaty would reveal the reasons behind why Germany wanted revenge. Germany actually had more than a good reason to have harsh feelings toward the allies, even if they did start the First World War. “In its final form, the treaty placed full blame for the war...

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...ribner's Sons, 2006. 2633-2639. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 22 Feb. 2011.

Hickman, Kennedy. "Causes of World War II - Causes of World War II in Europe." Military History - Warfare through the Ages - Battles and Conflicts - Weapons of War - Military Leaders in History. Web. 22 Feb. 2011

The Eleanor Roosevelt Papers."League of Nations." Teaching Eleanor Roosevelt, ed. by Allida Black, June Hopkins, et. al. (Hyde Park, New York: Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, 2003). http://www.nps.gov/archive/elro/glossary/league-of-nations.htm [Accessed March 23, 2011].

"Statistics and Numbers." Feldgrau.com - The German Armed Forces 1919-1945. Web. 23 Mar. 2011. .

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