TREATY OF VERSAILLES (ROAD TO SECOND WORLD WAR)

TREATY OF VERSAILLES (ROAD TO 2nd WORLD WAR)

The most controversial treaty “Treaty of Versailles” concluded with the Germany which later was responsible for the World War-II

Why it is said that the seeds of Second World War were sown during Treaty of Versailles?

The Treaty of Versailles was one of the most controversial settlements ever signed and it was criticized even in the Allied countries

Terms:

Germans had to lose territory in Europe

• Alsace-Lorraine to France
• Eupen, Moresnet and Malmedy to Belgium
• North Schleswig to Denmark
• West Prussia and Posen to Poland
• Memel was given to Lithuania

German’s African colonies were taken away under League of Nation’s supervision

Military Limitations

• Germany was allowed to maintain an army of not more than 100000 troops without conscription
• No Tanks, Aircrafts, Submarines and only 6 battleships
• Rhineland was to be permanently demilitarized

War Guilt Clause

It fixed the blame for the outbreak of the war solely on Germany and her allies

Reparation

• Germany was to pay reparations for damage done to Allies. Actual amount was decided later as 6600 million Pounds
• Germany had little choice but to sign this treaty which was an insult and burden imposed upon them

Road to the Second World War

The economy collapsed, the government lost power, the military was weak, and the Germans were angry. All of these factors together combined to make a perfect storm in Germany.

The horrendous economy led to a weak government, the weak military led to fear in Germany, the weak government and German fear made it possible for Adolf Hitler to be elected, and finally the German anger and Hitler's mindset led to World War II.

EVENTS THAT CAUSED WORLD WAR I

           EVENTS THAT CAUSED WORLD WAR I

It was the first truly global conflict which caused death and destruction on industrial scale

The rivalries among the European imperialist powers over colonial possessions and conflicts among various European states over European affairs led to the First World War

The war pitted the Central Powers—mainly Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey—against the Allies—mainly France, Great Britain, Russia, Italy, Japan, and, from 1917, the United States

Reasons of World War I

Imperialism

Europeans powers were emulating for getting control over large territory which led to confrontation between Britain and Germany in Africa which ultimately resulted in scrambling of Africa continent

“Sick man of Europe” i:e Ottoman empire was disintegrated hence both Russia and Austria were trying to get control over that

Industrialization in Germany compelled it to search the venue for its raw material which placed it on direct confrontation with Britain

Militarism

Naval rivalry between Britain and Germany to become supreme in the world make their relations even more tensed

Militarism fathered dangerous child i:e Arms race in Europe which led to huge war carnage

Nationalism

Russian “Pan Slavism” inflamed Russian policies to support the Serbs

Serbians Wanted to unite all Serbs in Balken and liberate Bosnia and Herzgovina from Austria-Hungary

Secret Alliance

Secret alliances divided whole of the Europe into two groups which facilitated the situation to reach the point of no return

Economic Causes

Rise in Capitalist class lead to increase in demand for raw material and market which started the race of imperialism between Britain and Germany

Germany reversed the policy of Bismarck to remain confined to European land since according to Kaiser Wilhelm “Future of Germany lies in European Water”

Britain wanted to be the only imperialist in the World

They wanted to built the Cairo-Cape rail line but German territories were the biggest obstacle

Territorial Dispute

Austria-Hungary and Serbia were already in a state of conflict over the land dispute over Bosnia-Herzegovina

Role of Press

Press propaganda continuously inflamed already tensed situation

It makes the people and their governments believe that war was the only way out

Immediate Cause

June 28, 1914, in the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, Austrian archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, were shot dead by a Bosnian Serb, Gavrilo Princip

The Austrians decided to present an unacceptable ultimatum to Serbia and then to declare war, relying on Germany to deter Russia from intervention