Arguments why the treaty was too harsh

Reasons the treaty was not fair So much was taken away (13% of land, 12% of pop.) Self-determination doesn’t apply to Germany Parts of Austria and Czechoslovakia would have voted to be part of Germany but not allowed to Germans feel a sense of injustice, they didn’t start the war, some feel they didn’t even lose the war Diktat – Germany was not involved in the peace talks Allied powers don’t disarm – 14 points said that all countries should start to disarm British and French empires increasing – Imperialism was one cause of the war and they continue with it.

Arguments why it was not harsh enough

Reasons why the treaty was fair Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (1918) shows how harsh Germany was on Russia Germany was more responsible than other countries for the start of the war – Blank Cheque to Austria-Hungry – Schlieffen plan Big 3 needed to listen to their populations, a more lenient treaty would not have been accepted Only the German empire survived so they were not punished too much! Germany rises within a generation to threaten the balance of power again!

Was the Treaty of Versailles a Cause of WWII? The treaty left Germany powerful and resentful = Want revenge and still have the power to do it If the treaty had been less harsh Germany would not feel so resentful, their economy would have improved and their pride not so damaged If the treaty had been more harsh Germany would not have had the power to challenge the world again 20 years later

More resent views of Historians The issue was that Germany believed it was too harsh Enforcement was the issue, not that it was too harsh