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[[File:LLoyd's_News_Placard_announcing_Versailles_signing.jpg|thumbnail|300px250px|left|Lloyd's News reporting the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919.]]__NOTOC__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 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.

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 felt 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 lead to the most destructive conflict in world history - World War Two.

===Deliberations===[[File:Versailles_1919.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|Georges Clemenceau and Woodrow President Wilson at the Formal Signing 's lofty goals of internationalism fell asunder in the Treatypostwar reality.]]The delegates emerging League of Nations lacked the victorious powers met in Paris teeth needed to discuss prevent aggressive power from emerging and destroying the terms fragile peace. Rather than creating a series of independent democracies across Eastern Europe and the peaceMiddle East, conflict raged for years, followed by the treatyleading to opportunities for Hitler's Germany and Stalin's signing at Russia. Furthermore, the United States never signed the former French royal palace Treaty of Versaillesand joined the League. Led by the "Big Four," the The U.S.Senate never ratified the Treaty, Francedestroying Wilson's grand vision. <ref>Graebner, ItalyNorman and Bennett, and Great BritainEdward. Each had their own goals and vulnerabilities<i>[https://www. While the Uamazon.S. President Wilson adhered to an idealistic view 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 collective responsibility and ethnic self-determinationthe Wilsonian Vision]</i>, France was driven largely by one thing(New York: revengeCambridge University Press, 2011. France sought to avenge its humiliating loss almost fifty years earlier in the FrancoPages 86-Prussian War that resulted in a united Germany. 87)</ref>

Generations of French policy However, it was France that had been consumed by this idea of revanchism and a clear opportunity finally presented itselfthe most significant impact. France demanded terms that would have completely de-industrialized 's constant desire for revenge alienated its allies and demilitarized sparked radical political movements in Germany. The French floated proposals understood that included breaking up Germany proper and creating was utterly drained by the war, losing almost half of its youngest adult male generation. Paris developed a client state decidedly defensive posture, seeking various ways to box in and humiliate Germany. France created alliances with many of the industrial Rhinelandnew Eastern European states, none of which would adequately function. France demanded harsh reparations for also produced a long line of defenses along the damage done to its country and Belgium during the conflictnew Franco-German border. This would materialize in over $31 billion in reparations Germany was forced Maginot Line proved to be less than up to pay the task in 1940, despite the treaty terms. <ref>Roekmeke, Feldman, substantial effort 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. Page 90investment.</ref>

===Shortfalls= How did Germany React to the Treaty of Versailles? ==Each [[File:Mass_demonstration_in_front_of_the_Reichstag_against_the_Treaty_of_Versailles.jpg|thumbnail|left||300px|Mass Demonstration against the Treaty of the powers represented Versailles at the treaty conference came out with some disappointmentsReichstag in 1919.]] Naturally, to say the leastGermany was less than thrilled about their situation. The British goal of stability By November 1918, nary a square mile was largely subverted by revolutions across Europe under Allied occupation, and Francethe Kaiser's demand troops still occupied a substantial part of Belgium. German propaganda had been announcing for increasing punishment for Germanymonths 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. Italy did not receive territory promised This unexpected defeat led to the famous "stab in secret deliberations during the warback" theory utilized by Hitler. The largest shortfalls appeared for France sight of American, British, French, and Belgian occupying the Rhineland pierced the brief calm after the United Statesfighting ended.

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 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=dailyh0cdh-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)<ad/ref>

However
Furthermore, Germany's acceptance of Article 231, commonly referred to as the War Guilt Clause, it was France that had for many the largest impactfinal straw. France's incessant desire for revenge alienated its allies and sparked radical political movements in Germany. The French understood that had to accept the country was completely drained by full responsibility for the war, losing almost half including the actions of its youngest adult male generationallies. Paris developed This came at a decidedly defensive postureheavy price. Across its territory, seeking various ways to box in and humiliate portions were carved off or plebiscites prepared. Germanylost all of its overseas colonies. France created alliances with many of gained Alsace-Lorraine, and its resources and industry were lost in the new Eastern European states, none of which would adequately functionFranco-Prussian War. France also created a long line of defenses along occupied the new Franco-German borderSaarland, also rich in coal. This Maginot Line proved Votes were held in other regions, with Denmark regaining territory lost to be less than up Prussia in the 19th Century and Poland gaining territory in Prussia and Silesia. Perhaps most insulting was the Allied requirement that Poland has access to the task in 1940sea, creating a strip divided Germany into two. The predominately German-speaking city of Danzig became a free city. <ref>Roekmeke, ''Reassessment'', despite substantial effort and investmentPage 45.</ref>

===The treaty required Germany to disarm. German Reaction===[[File:Mass_demonstration_in_front_of_the_Reichstag_against_the_Treaty_of_Versailles.jpg|thumbnail|400px|Mass Demonstration against troops were not allowed in the Treaty of Versailles at the Reichstag in 1919Rhineland, Germany's main industrial region that bordered France.]] NaturallyFurthermore, Germany the Reichswehr was less than thrilled about their situationlimited to just 100,000 soldiers. By November 1918 nary a square mile The air force was under Allied occupation banned from having combat aircraft, and the Kaiser's troops still occupied a substantial part German navy lost most of its surface ships and all of Belgiumits submarines. German propaganda had been announcing for months that their soldiers Tanks were very close to victory through much of 1918forbidden. And in many ways, they What had been. The shock of defeat coupled with arguably the harsh terms proposed carved an indelible mark strongest army in the German psycheworld was humiliated for a second time. <ref>Sharp, Alan. <i>[https://www. This led to the famous "stab in the back" theory that was so utilized by Hitleramazon. com/gp/product/033380077X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=033380077X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=3c0f73cc4aacf358986394a403a79bed The sight of AmericanVersailles Settlement]</i> (New York: Palgrave MacMillan, BritishSecond Edition, French, and Belgian occupying the Rhineland pierced the brief calm after the fighting ended2008. Page 132-133.</ref>


Furthermore, Germany's acceptance of Article 231, commonly referred to as Versailles hung heavily on the War Guilt Clause was for many the final strawGerman consciousness immediately. Germany had to accept Various political parties, especially on the full responsibility for the waremerging far-right, including desperately campaigned against the actions of its allies. This came with a heavy priceterms. Across its territoryFurthermore, various portions were carved off or plebiscites prepared. Germany lost all of its overseas colonies. France gained Alsace-Lorraine and its resources and industry lost in armed militias often called the Stahlhelm (Steel Helmets) organized across the Franco-Prussian country burnished by Great Warveterans and armaments. France also occupied This militia helped lead to further undermine the Saarlandunstable Weimar government, also rich in coal. Votes were held in other regions, with Denmark regaining territory lost already accused by many of the right to Prussia in be born on the 19th Century and Poland gaining territory in both Prussia and Silesiaempire's corpse. Perhaps most insulting was A bizarre combination of the Allied requirement that Poland have access new political party combined with militias led 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 45emerging Communist and National Socialist conflict.</ref>

Germany's military was almost disarmed. German troops were not allowed in == Conclusion ==Rather than foster long-term peace and stability, the Rhineland, GermanyVersailles Treaty's main industrial region goal of handling Germany instead sparked movements that bordered France. Furthermore, the Reichswehr was limited to just 100,000 soldierswould lead directly into World War II. The air force was banned from having combat aircraft and National Socialist Party used widespread anger about Versailles with the German navy lost nearly all economic collapse of its surface ships and all of its submarines. Tanks were forbidden. What had been arguably the strongest army Great Depression to come to power in 1933. Six years later, the world was humiliated for a second again at war, this timefar more destructive and incorporating widespread genocide. <ref>Sharp, AlanThe 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. <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 MacMillanFar from preventing another war, Second Editionin many ways, 2008. Page 132-133Versailles instead caused another one.</ref>

====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 hung heavily on the German consciousness immediately: A Concise History]</i> (New York: Oxford University Press, 2017)* Sharp, Alan. <i>[https://www. Various political parties, especially on the emerging far right desperately campaigned against the termsamazon. Furthermorecom/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, armed militiasSecond Edition, often called the Stahlhelm (Steel Helmets2008) organized across the country burnished by Great War veterans * Graebner, Norman and armamentsBennett, Edward. <i>[https://www.amazon. These militia helped lead to further undermine 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 unstable Weimar governmentWilsonian Vision]</i>, (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2011)* Roekmeke, Feldman, and Glaser, already accused by many on the right 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 being born on the corpse of the empire. Versailles: A bizarre combination of new political party combined with militias led to emerging Communist and National Socialist conflict.Reassessment after 75 Years]</i>, (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1997)

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