Chapter 19, sec.4, Critical Thinking #3

Why didn’t the Treaty of Versailles lay the foundations for a lasting peace?

The Treaty of Versailles didn't lay a foundation for lasting peace because their were many flaws left in it. When the treaty was written Germany and Austria Hungry was not a part of this process. Because of this the decisions made in the treaty were not in favor to Germany. Tension still remained in Europe. The Prime Minister was reelected because of his slogan "make Germany pay" and the Italian prime minister wanted control of Austria controlled land. The treaty made it so Germany had to pay $33 billion war damages to the Allies. It also involved a war-guilt clause in which Germany had to take full responsibility for the war. Germany was barred from having an army and had it's colonies in the Pacific taken away from it. Russia was also not at the writting of the treaty and had land taken away from it, and was very determined to get it back. Many Germans, including Adolf Hitler, were upset that 2 million germans died in vain, and wanted revenge.