Evaluation Of AJ P's Thesis Flashcards
Why Was The Versailles Treaty Destabilising?
It was destabilising because it resulted in war guilt, territory loss, reparations, and economic consequences.
How Did Germany Experience War Guilt After WWI?
(The Versailles Treaty Being Destabilising)
The Versailles Treaty entailed that the full blame for the war would fall on Germany and their allies’ shoulders. This was stated in Article 231 of the treaty and established the idea that the reparations would come down to Germany.
How Did Germany Experience Territory Loss After WWI?
(The Versailles Treaty Being Destabilising)
Following the war, some of Germany’s territory was taken. Some of the places that were returned included Poland, Belgium, and Denmark. The city of Danzig became independent, and known as a free city, leaving Germany with little of what they had during the Great War. The colonies that were under Germany’s reign were distributed under the League of Nations and given to other Allied nations.
What Reparations Did Germany Have To Give Following WWI?
(The Versailles Treaty Being Destabilising)
From the damage that was caused during the war, it was Germany’s responsibility to pay a hefty amount. At the time, this was $33 billion gold marks (equivalent to $27,954,585,398.64 AUD). This was mostly paid in 1922.
What Were The Economic Consequences That Fell On Germany After WWI?
(The Versailles Treaty Being Destabilising)
The Versailles Treaty played a role in the social unrest, hyperinflation, and political mayhem, in Germany following the years of the war.
How Was The League Of Nations Weak?
The League of Nations was created as a part of the Versailles Treaty, hoping to promote world peace and prevent all future wars. There were many weaknesses associated with the League of Nations.
How Did The United States’ Decision Impact The Weakness Of The League Of Nations?
(The Weakness Of The League Of Nations)
Although it was President Woodrow Wilson of the United States, was a huge advocate for the set up of the League of Nations, and spent a lot of his political career trying to set it up, the US never joined it. Additionally, Japan and Italy left the league during the 1930s, and countries like the Soviet Union and Germany were never permitted to be a part of it.
How Did Unanimous Decisions Impact The Weakness Of The League Of Nations?
(The Weakness Of The League Of Nations)
In the League of Nations, for an action to be carried out, all of the permanent members of the board, needed to be in agreement about the decision. Unsurprisingly, a lot of the members had different opinions, which resulted in weak actions, or no action.
How Did The Sovereignty Of Germany Impact The League Of Nations?
(The Weakness Of The League Of Nations)
Many of the nations involved, placed their needs over the needs of the world as a collective group, which was against the League of Nations principles, and made the agreement seem ineffective.
How Did The League Of Nations Fail?
(The Weakness Of The League Of Nations)
After President Wilson designed and promoted it, the US in the 1920s went into a period of isolationism. The League of Nations lost its most powerful proponent. The League of Nations could rule on matters, but it had no power or army to enforce its decisions. For example, Hitler annexed the Sudetenland (Czechoslovakia). This meant he sent troops in, and took some of another country for himself (Germany). Because the US had pulled out of the League of Nations, it was weak, and fascists like Hitler took this as an opportunity to take land, knowing that the League wouldn’t retaliate. At the same time as Hitler, a man named Mussolini annexed Ethiopia (which at the time was referred to as the Abyssinian Crisis). These two powerful fascists took advantage of the weakened League of Nations.
How Did The Allies Decline To Destroy The National Unity Of Germany Following WWI?
(The Innate Power Of Germany That The Allies Had Declined To Destroy In 1918-1919)
Even after the loss of World War I, many Germans still retained their pride, and national togetherness, which only made them more determined to destroy the Treaty of Versailles.
How Did The Allies Decline To Destroy The Military Of Germany Following WWI?
(The Innate Power Of Germany That The Allies Had Declined To Destroy In 1918-1919)
Germany’s military was small, compared to countries like France and Britain, after World War I, many of the German military members later were involved in the rearmament process (many years later), which shows that they were dedicated to the cause, and had a sense of German pride.
How Did The Allies Decline To Destroy The Technology Of Germany Following WWI?
(The Innate Power Of Germany That The Allies Had Declined To Destroy In 1918-1919)
Germany was quite advanced with their technology, and since the Allies had failed to stop them from continuing to develop these things, the Germans were able to build things, to support them with their future plans.
How Did The Allies Decline To Destroy The Prime Location Of Germany Following WWI?
(The Innate Power Of Germany That The Allies Had Declined To Destroy In 1918-1919)
Since Germany was in the centre of Europe – which was a prime spot at the time – they were at an advantage, that allowed them to remain aware of a lot of Europe’s plans.
How Did The Allies Decline To Destroy The Politics Of Germany Following WWI?
(The Innate Power Of Germany That The Allies Had Declined To Destroy In 1918-1919)
Although it was not at its prime, after World War I, Germany’s government wasn’t eternally destroyed, however, it was weakened, which allowed Hitler and the Nazi party to swoop in, during a crucial time for the country.
How Did The Allies Decline To Destroy The Appeasement Deals With Germany Following WWI?
(The Innate Power Of Germany That The Allies Had Declined To Destroy In 1918-1919)
People were sympathetic to the Nazi program, and they had a belief that the Nazis weren’t bad. Hitler was on good terms with many powerful politicians, and influential people throughout the 1920s and 1930s. This meant that people were more likely to look at him through a coloured lens, and not see the real version of him. People were also reluctant to call him out for his actions. For example, one of the most famous appeasements was when Chamberlain signed the Munich Agreement, which allowed Hitler to take over Czechoslovakia.
How Did Hitler Contribute To The Versailles Treaty Being Destabilising?
(Hitler’s Role)
Adolf Hitler assisted in villainizing the Treaty of Versailles in several ways. He also planned to use it to his advantage, to appease the people of Germany with promises that would never be fulfilled.
How Did Hitler Use Political Propaganda To Villainize The Versailles Treaty?
(Hitler’s Role)
It was a recurring theme in his political life. The Nazis made the Republic leaders who signed the treaty as being people who turned their backs on Germany. By saying this, Hitler convinced the nationalists of Germany to vote for him, since they were unsatisfied with being betrayed.
How Did Hitler Use Revenge Promises To Villianize The Versailles Treaty?
(Hitler’s Role)
As a part of his campaign promises, Hitler vowed to take down the Treaty of Versailles, and make Germany glorious again. Following this, he claimed that he would: take back the territories that were ‘taken’ from him after the war, obliterate the rearmament idea that was stated in the treaty, and increase Germany’s military arms.
How Did Hitler Use World War II To Villianize The Versailles Treaty?
(Hitler’s Role)
Hitler was dead set on expanding his territory, and overturning the Treaty of Versailles, so much so, that he was willing to invade Poland in 1933, with the intention of taking the country for himself. By doing this, he triggered responses from France and Britain, who were involved in the Treaty of Versailles and were dissatisfied by Hitler’s actions. This was the beginning of World War II.
