APEURO: Unit 8, 20th-Century Global Conflicts - The Treaty of Versailles and Its Consequences

Why This Matters

The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, marked the end of World War I and imposed harsh penalties on Germany, contributing to the rise of Nazi Germany and ultimately, the outbreak of World War II. This event is significant for understanding the larger period of the 20th century, as it exemplifies the consequences of a flawed peace treaty and the dangers of unchecked nationalism, a key theme in AP European History. The Treaty of Versailles demonstrates how the actions of powerful nations can have far-reaching and devastating effects on global politics and international relations.

Key Events & People

• Woodrow Wilson: The 28th President of the United States, who played a crucial role in shaping the Treaty of Versailles and advocating for the League of Nations.
• Georges Clemenceau: The Prime Minister of France, who pushed for harsh penalties on Germany and opposed the League of Nations.
• David Lloyd George: The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, who sought a middle ground between Wilson and Clemenceau.
• The Big Four: The leaders of the Allied Powers (Wilson, Clemenceau, Lloyd George, and Vittorio Orlando of Italy) who negotiated the Treaty of Versailles.
• The Treaty of Versailles: Signed on June 28, 1919, imposing harsh penalties on Germany, including significant territorial losses and reparations.
• The League of Nations: An international organization established by the Treaty of Versailles to promote peace and prevent future wars.
• The War Guilt Clause: Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles, which placed the blame for the war on Germany.
• The Reparations Commission: Established by the Treaty of Versailles to oversee Germany's reparations payments.
• The German Revolution: A series of uprisings and protests in Germany following the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
• Adolf Hitler: The leader of the Nazi Party, who rose to power in Germany in the 1920s and 1930s, in part due to the resentment and economic hardship caused by the Treaty of Versailles.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including significant territorial losses and reparations.
• Effect: The Treaty of Versailles led to widespread resentment and economic hardship in Germany.

• Long-term consequence: The Treaty of Versailles contributed to the rise of Nazi Germany and the outbreak of World War II.

• Cause: The Treaty of Versailles failed to establish a robust system of international cooperation and collective security.

• Effect: The League of Nations was unable to prevent the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931 and the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935.

• Long-term consequence: The failure of the League of Nations contributed to the outbreak of World War II.

• Cause: The Treaty of Versailles imposed significant economic burdens on Germany.

• Effect: The economic hardship caused by the Treaty of Versailles contributed to the rise of extremist ideologies, including Nazism.
• Long-term consequence: The rise of Nazi Germany led to the outbreak of World War II.

Essential Vocabulary

• *War Guilt Clause*: A provision in the Treaty of Versailles that placed the blame for the war on Germany.
• *Reparations*: The payments made by Germany to the Allied Powers as part of the Treaty of Versailles.
• *League of Nations*: An international organization established by the Treaty of Versailles to promote peace and prevent future wars.
• *Collective Security*: A system of international cooperation and collective defense, which was a key goal of the League of Nations.
• *Nationalism*: A political ideology that emphasizes the interests and identity of a particular nation or group.
• *Appeasement*: A policy of giving in to the demands of an aggressive power in the hopes of avoiding war.
• *Munich Agreement*: A treaty signed in 1938, in which Germany, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom agreed to allow Germany to annex the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia.
• *Appeaser*: A leader or government that adopts a policy of appeasement.
• *Revisionism*: A policy of revising or challenging the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
• *War Debt*: The debt incurred by the Allied Powers during World War I, which was a major issue in the negotiations leading up to the Treaty of Versailles.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1918.

• Correction: The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919.

• What students often get wrong: The League of Nations was established by the Treaty of Versailles.

• Correction: The League of Nations was established by the Covenant of the League of Nations, which was annexed to the Treaty of Versailles.

• What students often get wrong: The Treaty of Versailles imposed significant economic benefits on Germany.

• Correction: The Treaty of Versailles imposed significant economic burdens on Germany, including significant territorial losses and reparations.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the role of the Treaty of Versailles in the rise of Nazi Germany. Be sure to include specific evidence from the Treaty of Versailles and the policies of the Weimar Republic.
• Possible evidence: The War Guilt Clause, the Reparations Commission, the German Revolution, and the policies of the Weimar Republic.
• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the effectiveness of the League of Nations in preventing the outbreak of World War II. Be sure to include specific evidence from the League of Nations and the policies of the major powers.
• Possible evidence: The Covenant of the League of Nations, the policy of appeasement, the Munich Agreement, and the policies of the major powers.
• Possible essay prompt: Discuss the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on the global economy. Be sure to include specific evidence from the Treaty of Versailles and the policies of the major powers.
• Possible evidence: The Reparations Commission, the War Debt, and the policies of the major powers.

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the main purpose of the Treaty of Versailles?
2. Answer: To impose harsh penalties on Germany and establish the League of Nations.

3. Explanation: The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, and its main purpose was to impose harsh penalties on Germany and establish the League of Nations.

4. Who was the leader of the Nazi Party in Germany?

5. Answer: Adolf Hitler.

6. Explanation: Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany in the 1920s and 1930s, in part due to the resentment and economic hardship caused by the Treaty of Versailles.

7. What was the name of the international organization established by the Treaty of Versailles?

8. Answer: The League of Nations.
9. Explanation: The League of Nations was established by the Covenant of the League of Nations, which was annexed to the Treaty of Versailles.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919.
• The Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including significant territorial losses and reparations.
• The League of Nations was established by the Covenant of the League of Nations, which was annexed to the Treaty of Versailles.
• The War Guilt Clause placed the blame for the war on Germany.
• The Reparations Commission was established to oversee Germany's reparations payments.
• The German Revolution was a series of uprisings and protests in Germany following the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
• Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany in the 1920s and 1930s, in part due to the resentment and economic hardship caused by the Treaty of Versailles.
• The Munich Agreement was a treaty signed in 1938, in which Germany, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom agreed to allow Germany to annex the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia.
• The policy of appeasement was a policy of giving in to the demands of an aggressive power in the hopes of avoiding war.
• The Treaty of Versailles imposed significant economic burdens on Germany.