Treaty of Versailles
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The Treaty of Versailles was signed after the end of World War I. The main purpose of the treaty was to end the war like situation between Germany and the Allied Powers. The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919 between Germany and Allied Powers. The treaty is named as Treaty of Versailles as it was signed at Versailles Palace located near Paris in France. The most prominent politicians of that era which were present during signing the treaty includes David Lloyd from Great Britain, Clemenceau from France, and from America Woodrow Wilson were present. The main aim of the treaty is to establish peace between Germany and Allied Powers; however there were certain reasons, which cause the failure of the Treaty of Versailles (Feldman and Glaser, 2001). The purpose of the essay was to identify and analyze different factors, which cause the failure of Treaty of Versailles from moment it was signed.
The Treaty of Versailles cannot become successful because it was too harsh on Germany. The treaty wanted Germany to accept the complete responsibility for initiating the World War 1. After the end of World War 1, the president of America then Woodrow Wilson, issue a fourteen-point plan that consist of various measures that could have been helpful in establishing peace in Europe. However, due to opposition of George Clemenceau, the actual fourteen-point plan proposed by Wilson could not be implemented further (Bennett, 2011). It has to be noted that Lloyd George personally favored the fourteen points plan by Wilson but due to opposition of Clemenceau and support of British public to Clemenceau made George to make some alternation to fourteen point proposed by George Lloyd.
The main points of the Treaty of Versailles are mentioned below.
¨ General (Guilt of War): The Treaty of Versailles expected Germany to accept the responsibility of causing the First World War. According to the clause 231 of the treaty, the Germany was the cause behind initiating World War 1; hence it was supposed to pay for the damages caused to different countries. Germany had to pay a significant amount to France and Belgium. The infrastructure of both countries suffered badly during the war. During the treaty Germany was asked to give a blank cheque to allies who can be cashed later by Allied Powers as per their convenience. The amount touched the £6,600 million, which was beyond the ability of Germany to pay. A league of nations was also firmed to maintain and to ensure world peace (Duiker, 2009).
¨ Financial Clauses: As Germany was hold responsible for the First World War; Germany has to pay a high total of £6,600 to make up for the damaged caused in the war to the allied countries. Apart from the reparation costs, the loss of coal from Saar and Upper Silesia region of the nation was a great economic loss to the country. It seemed like allied powers wanted to bankrupt Germany by putting heavy financial penalties on the nation.
¨ Disarmament: The treaty put a high restriction on German arms. The treaty did not permit Germany even to have a small army and naval ships. Apart from this, Germany was not allowed to keep military equipment like tanks, air force, and submarines. Additionally, the treaty also forced Germany to remove the army from Rhineland area (Brezina, 2005).
¨ Territorial Causes: A significant amount of land was taken away from Germany and it was given to other countries. The major land banks which were taken away by Germany as a part of the Treaty of Versailles are: The Alsace and Lorraine region was given to France, Eupen and Malmedy was give to Belgium, Northern Schleswig part of Germany was given to Denmark, Hultschin part of Germany was given to Czechoslovakia, and West Prussia, Posen, and Upper Silesia part was given to Poland. In this way, the Treaty of Versailles led to a significant amount of land banks to be taken away from Germany.
As a result of the high degree of penalties and restrictions put on Germany, it created a high discontent among people of Germany. During the 1920 decades Germany was in a financially weak position and the financial penalties put on the nation were too high. It increased the high unemployment rate along with high rates of food and other basics requirements of people in the