The Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations
The Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations are two important historical documents.
Many people believed that the Treaty of Versailles would bring about a lasting peace in the globe and that World War I would be “the war to end all wars.” However, this was not to be the case. However, it became out that this was not the case. There were a variety of factors contributing to the treaty’s final failure. German representatives were not permitted to go to Paris during the treaty’s negotiating period, which was the first of these limitations. As a result of Germany’s exclusion from the treaty’s discussions, Germans believed they had been treated unfairly in a variety of ways and were extremely angry of the outcome (Goff et al., 2007).
A second reason for the treaty’s failure was the so-called “war guilt provision,” which required Germany to acknowledge that it was fully responsible for the war, as well as for the loss and damage caused by it. This section was never implemented. They were ashamed since they did not believe this to be the case. Philipp Scheidemann, the leader of the German government, refused to sign the pact as a result of this, but the Allies were adamant in their opposition. German leaders refused to accept full responsibility, and the Allies said that the war would continue unless Germany agreed. Scheidemann resigned rather than sign the pact, which he opposed. Gustav Bauer, the newly appointed leader of the German government, had no choice but to accept the provisions of the pact (Graebner & Bennett, 2011).
The third reason for the Treaty of Versailles’ failure was the enormous amount of reparations that Germany was required to make. However, France’s leader, George Clemenceau, insisted on the reparations, despite the fact that some of the Allies agreed with the Germans that they were excessively punitive. France and Germany had previously been at war, and the French were hesitant of entering into another conflict with Germany. Clemenceau wished to weaken Germany by imposing a large amount of reparations on the country. Germany could not afford such high-priced reparations, which were taking a toll on the country’s citizens. Following World War II, Germany’s economy grew more unstable, and inflation reached dangerously high levels. A large number of Germans were famished. Germany also had to relinquish some of its land and population, notably its colonies in Africa and the Pacific that brought in trade, as well as its protectorates in the Ottoman Empire, in order to join the alliance (Graebner & Bennett, 2011).
A nationalistic leader may take advantage of Germany’s bad economic state, as well as the tremendous bitterness and humiliation that the Germans felt as a result of the Treaty of Versailles, and ascend to power as a result of these circumstances. Unfortunately, Adolf Hitler was the leader in question. His actions would ultimately propel Germany into another world war (Goff et al., 2007).
The failure of the newly constituted League of Nations was the fourth and last reason for the Treaty of Versailles’ ultimate demise, and it was the most significant. Founded in 1945, the League of Nations was established to mediate international conflicts and maintain world peace. In addition to territorial conflicts (such as those over the Aaland Islands and Upper Silesia), border skirmishes between countries (such as those between Greece and Bulgaria), a civil war in Turkey, and ultimately another world war were all issues that the League had to deal with (Graebner & Bennett, 2011).
One of the primary factors that made it difficult for the League to form a lasting agreement that would prevent another war was the fact that it lacked strong enforcement capabilities, specifically the ability to send in military troops to enforce its sanctions. This was one of the primary factors that made it difficult for the League to form a lasting agreement that would prevent another war. Furthermore, it could apply economic sanctions, but it would be unable to implement them. Another issue was the refusal of the world’s most powerful nation, the United States, to accept the invitation to join. Many people in the United States wished to maintain an isolationist attitude and avoid becoming involved in the issues of other countries. Despite the fact that President Woodrow Wilson was a staunch supporter of the League, the United States Senate refused to approve the Treaty of Versailles (which established the League). At the end of the day, the League of Nations’ ultimate purpose was for all nations to join; but, at its peak, the League had just 58 members. Many countries were never admitted, and others were only admitted for brief periods of time (Goff et al., 2007).
