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The Treaty Of Versailles. “The Treaty That Defined The 20 th Century”. The Traditional View Of Versailles (McKay). Wilson insists on idealism, the League of Nations and self-determination. But France & Britain only want to punish Germany The resulting treaty was a compromise.
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The Treaty Of Versailles “The Treaty That Defined The 20th Century”
The Traditional View Of Versailles (McKay) • Wilson insists on idealism, the League of Nations and self-determination. • But France & Britain only want to punish Germany • The resulting treaty was a compromise. • League was created but harsh reparations, “War Guilt” and dismemberment of Germany. • The US Senate then refuses to adopt the treaty. • The American retreat into isolation dooms League (and Europe?) and sets up World War II.
However . . . • Is the traditional interpretation supported by the evidence?
Was Germany Really Worse Off? • Look at the map again.
Was Germany Really Worse Off? • Relative to its neighbors, Germany is better than it was at the beginning of the War. • Austrian Empire gone, replace by small, weak states. • Germany is the only Central European power. • By contrast, England and France don’t really benefit much from victory.
Were Reparations Really So Bad? • Allies were willing to give them up in return for forgiveness of their war debt to U.S. • U.S. says no way, so Allies insist Germany pay. • Germany actually pays very little reparations out of pocket. Mostly borrows from U.S. to pay France to repay U.S. • But Germany perceives as unfair.
The “War Guilt” Clause • Not unique. Germany had imposed same condition on France after Franco-Prussian War. • But Germans were not told / did not believe that. • Again, they perceive the treaty as unfair.
