How fair was the Treaty of Versailles?

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How fair was the Treaty of Versailles?

When assessing the fairness of the Treaty of Versailles it is necessary to consider the impact of the treaty, not only on Germany, but also on all the major powers involved in both the treaty and the First World War. In order to determine the fairness of the treaty it is important to, in Germanys’ case especially, consider the Treaty of Versailles in economic, military, territorial and colonial terms. There are also other countries which the Treaty of Versailles had an impact on, and the affect that the treaty has had on them can also be assessed. However, in order to assess the treaty, it is also important to consider by whom and how the word ‘fair’ is defined and used, as different countries will have differing views on what ‘fair’ treatment of Germany would consist of.  

Although the treaty may have been considered harsh at the time, now it is generally acknowledged that the treaty could have been a lot harder in economic, military, territorial and colonial terms. Firstly, in economic terms, while reparations of £6.6 billion may appear intimidating, the Dawes Plan in 1924 spread out the payments over a longer period of time and the Young Plan reduced payments to £2 billion. Since the reparations were not only to be made in money, but also in other goods such as ships and natural resources, Germany was able to make the reparations. They were also helped by extensive American loans and the payments ceased when Hitler came to power. So although the original reparation figure was set at £6.6 billion, in reality Germany ended up paying a small fraction of that, and E Mantoux sustains that “The productivity of German industry in the1930’s, especially armaments manufacture, showed hat the levels of reparations set in 1921 were, after all, within Germany’s capacity”. This is further shown by the fact that by 1925, Germany’s production of steel was twice that of Britain. Germany was also affected by the military constraints applied by the treaty. Germany was forced to abolish conscription, and reduce both its army and navy to100, 000 and 24 ships respectively. It was also forced to demilitarise the Rhineland. This was mainly a result of French determination to secure some form of security against any future German invasion. Germany lost 13% of its territory and 12% of its total population, which consisted of about 25000 square miles and 7million people respectively. However, although territorial looses appear significant, they pale in comparison to Austria, and Germany was not invaded or divided as it was after the Second World War. Germany also lost its colonies to League of Nation mandates, which were to rule them until they were fit for independence. But Germany’s colonies had little or no economic or strategic value and were mainly a symbol of power, status and prestige. However, although the treatment of Germany can be viewed as somewhat lenient, they were a contrast of “The Fourteen Points”, as Germany were excluded from all peace negotiations, was the only country to disarm and its empire, especially Austria, was denied the right to self-determination, hence a violation of Wilson’s “Fourteen Points”. However, if compared to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in 1917, or the treaty Germany applied to France after the series of Bismarck wars, the Treaty of Versailles can be considered fair. However, more damaging that the practicalities of the treaty was the emotional effect it had on Germany. The indignity and humiliation suffered at the hands of the treaty further increased tensions in central Europe. However, since it is generally accepted that the main cause of the war lay with Germany, it was ‘fair’ for reparations to be paid. Also, with Germany’s militaristic heritage, and series of wars in the build up to World War One, I also perceive it as ‘fair’ that they should demilitarise, especially from France’s position.

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Perhaps the most hard done by country in the war was Austria-Hungary, however, this does not mean it was unjust. Austria did play a significant part in causing the war, concerning the ‘Blank Cheque’ and the annexation of other nations. However, as opposed to Germany, who lost 13% of its territory and 12% of its total population, the Austro-Hungarian Empire lost 80% of its land mass to the new sate of Czechoslovakia alone, and lost more land to Romania, Poland, Italy and the newly formed Yugoslavia. Austria remained a small German speaking country of a mere 6 million people ...

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