Only Germans thought the treaty of Versailles was a bad thing.

Only Germans thought the Treaty of Versailles was a bad thing

Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

The Treaty of Versailles, which formed the majority of the peace settlement after World War I, was signed on 28 June 1919. Outside the German delegation, it was signed by two countries of the initial Triple Entente that had gone to war against Germany in 1914, France and Britain (the third one was Russia, but they had already signed a separate Treaty at Brest-Litovsk on 3 March 1918), and by a number of nations that had joined them at later stages in the war, the major ones being Italy, Japan, and the United States. In this essay I will be finding out if only the Germans thought that the Treaty of Versailles was a bad thing and if there were any other countries who thought this. I will talk about the opinions of Germany, Britain, France and the USA in order to show if the Germans were the only ones who thought the Treaty was bad.

The Germans thought the Treaty of Versailles was a bad thing because they believed they were being unfairly punished and were having to pay back too much in reparations. Source A shows a man, representing Germany, being led to the guillotine surrounded by “The Big Three” (Woodrow Wilson, Georges Clemenceau, Lloyd George). This source shows that Germany thought they were almost being executed for what they did. This also shows that they may have thought that their punishment was equal to death. This source does support the issue being discussed but only in that Germany did think the Treat of Versailles was a bad thing. This does not support the issue in that it doesn’t talk about anyone else being opposed to the Treaty.

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Britain was for the Treaty of Versailles and yet the Prime Minister, Lloyd George, thought the Treaty was a bad idea. Source G is a view of the Prime Minister himself. After signing the Treaty, he said, “We shall just have to fight another war in 25 years time.” This source shows that Lloyd George thought the Treaty was pointless because it would just lead to another war in 25 years time. He wanted to dissuade people of thinking that the Treaty was a bad idea and make them realize that it would lead to unrest and then another war. I think this is a quite a good source because it shows someone who was very Pro-Treaty could change their opinion to something so negative about it. There is a contradicting source though. Source F, a quote from a British newspaper, says, “There were great scenes outside Buckingham Palace…Londoners flocked in their thousands to cheer the King and Queen.” This source shows that the British public was happy with the outcome of the Treaty and what it would bring for Britain. I think that source G was firstly, more reliable, as it came from the Prime Minister himself and not a government-controlled newspaper, and secondly, a much more well-informed and knowledgeable statement towards the outcome of the Treat of Versailles. I think that even though the British Public thought the Treaty of Versailles was a good thing, the Prime Minister had more knowledge on the Treaty. Because of this, I think that this argument supports the issue being discussed.

France was very Pro-Treaty all through the conference and remained so long after the Treaty was signed. The thought it would greatly benefit them and Germany would never be able to rise to power again. Source D, a quote from the French President, Georges Clemenceau illustrates this, “The Treaty is a fraction of what Germany deserves. It must pay in full and have its ambitions put in check.” This source shows that France wanted to have no mercy on Germany and was not going to let them do anything that might allow them to move up in the World. This source does not support the issue being discussed because France thought the Treaty of Versailles was a very good thing whereas Germany thought it was a very bad thing. I think this is quite a good source because it comes from another well-informed person but it could also be portrayed as a bad source because it just sounds as if Clemenceau is just taking his out his anger and might be letting his emotions cloud his judgment.

The USA was for the Treaty of Versailles. The President, Woodrow Wilson, introduced many clauses and articles into the actual Treaty such as his 14 Points and The Creation of the League of Nations. Source H, a quote from an American newspaper, says, “Glory Today for the peaceful aims of our great leader, President Wilson. All agreed to his 14 Points and the creation of the League of Nations. The Versailles Treaty is a great success for American Diplomacy and World peace.” This source shows that Americans viewed the Treaty very positively. The newspaper is very “Pro-Wilson”. “Glory today…our great leader” These quotes praise Wilson. This newspaper wanted to tell the public how great the President was and how all of his achievements would let there be World peace. I don’t think this is a very good source because it is only praising the Treaty and Wilson and has no criticisms of any of his views or aims which is very unlike human nature. Despite the unreliability of this source, it disagrees with the issue being discussed because it says that America think the Treaty of Versailles was a good thing whereas Germany thought it was bad.

In conclusion, I disagree with the statement because not only Germany, but Britain thought that the Treaty of Versailles was a bad thing. I think the opinions of the leaders are accurate but the opinion of Lloyd George, the British Prime Minister, is the most accurate because he knew that Germany would not stand for being treated so badly and would soon rise up and start yet another war.

BY MATTHEW SMITHIES 9M