The Treaty of Versailles

Was the treaty fair?

The treaty was unfair. True, a treaty should have and was rightly made, and Germany should have payed all of their debts for what they had done but, as Mrs. Whiting had said, maybe if the price for their destruction had not been to harsh, Germany may not have felt shamed and had felt the great need to gain dignity back, and gain back a lot what they had to give up.

The Treaty of Versailles was a treaty made after Germany surrendered from the first great war, (World War I) that started in 1917. This treaty was written and made by the allied powers (England, U.S, France, Italy and Japan) to require Germany to pay their debts and other restrictions and promises Germany had to agree to.

President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, declared that a league of nations should be made, a point made out of his 14, said to create lasting peace. This league, stated that differences would not be settled on a battlefield but around the table, negotiating and debating. This idea also stated that there should be equality between countries, but this rule only seemed to apply to those in Europe. In the end the treaty was made with these points.

80. Germany will respect the independence of Austria.

81. Germany recognizes the complete independence of Czechoslovakia.

87. Germany recognizes the complete independence of Poland.

119. Germany surrenders all her rights and titles over her overseas

countries.

159. The German military forces shall be demobilized and reduced not

to exceed 100,000 men.

181. The German navy must not exceed 6 battleships, 6 light cruisers,

12 destroyers, and 12 torpedo boats. No submarines are to be included.

198. The Armed Forces of Germany must not include any military or

naval air forces.

231. Germany and her Allies accept the responsibility for causing all

the loss and damage to the Allied Powers.

233. Germany will pay for all damages done to the civilian population

and property of the Allied Governments. [The figure was later set at

$33 billion].

428. To guarantee the execution of the Treaty, the German territory

situated to the west of the Rhine River will be occupied by Allied

troops for fifteen years.

431. The occupation forces will be withdrawn as soon as Germany

complies with the Treaty.

Germany then agreed thinking it to be fair in balance of their destruction. But the treaty seemed to go past what it stated, the allied powers pushed the rules, wanting to punish Germany more then settle the agreement. Shaming Germany for their loss and striping them of their dignity. They lost forces, money, land and other important foundations to support a country. Feeling tricked, and embarrassed Germans started to rebel and the media started to tell the nation more about the unfair restrictions and payments. With no stable government and the last chancellor run out of the country because he agreed to Germany's surrender. Germany was desperate for a way to gain back their lost power and more, also for someone other then themselves to blame for their depression and loss. And thus World War II started, with Germany more hungry for total power than ever.

The treaty was unfair. True, a treaty should have and was rightly made, and Germany should have payed all of their debts for what they had done but, as Mrs. Whiting had said, maybe if the price for their destruction had not been to harsh, Germany may not have felt shamed and had felt the great need to gain dignity back, and gain back a lot what they had to give up.