To what extent did the treaty of Versailles undermine democracy 1919-1923

This essay hasn't yet been marked by one of our teachers

You can view 6 essays on Modern European History, 1789-1945 that have been Marked by Teachers

The first 200 words of this essay...

To what extent did the treaty of Versailles undermine

democracy 1919-1923?

Historians believe that the treaty of Versailles had a damning impact on the Republic although it was not the sole downfall of democracy as this was also due to the constitution and political differences within Weimar Germany. Overall I think that the treaty did not predetermine democracy's failure but it exacerbated the other many problems and without the harsh effects on Germany caused by the treaty, democracy may have survived.

The treaty of Versailles was an unsympathetic reaction from the rest of the world to Germany with an already large dent in national pride. As Germany were forced to pay reparations (or face further war and an ongoing economic blockade) for losing the war, other countries involved went too far and crippled Germany taking significant land. The Germans were especially bitter of land lost to Poland as 1 million Germans were now ruled by Poles. Germany was also forced to accept responsibility and pay £1,000 million for war pensions and damages. Germany as a nation had expected victory and major economic gains so were severely angered that the war had been lost, the extreme