The Treaty of Versailles, enforced on Germany after the Entente won WW1, is often thought to be directly responsible for WW2, and that war could not be avoided after the treaty was in place. The reason for this is that Versailles was so harsh that it fueled Germany desire for revenge; which meant that the Nazi power could take power.
So let me start by saying that, while not lenient, Versailles wasn't that harsh by what could have happened. Germany's territorial integrity was kept intact, and she was not stripped of her heavy industry or her ability to aspire to Great Power status - demonstarted by being able to fight another world war just twenty years later.. Verailles was used as propoganda fodder by the Germans, but it wasn't the only one (another favourite was the "stab in the back" from communists and Jews).
Perhaps Versailles was not enough to prevent militarism from surfacing again in Germany, perhaps an even harsher treaty might be warranted given the nature of what was to come, or perhaps simply enforcing the Treaty during the 30's might have been enough?
Thoughts?
Edited by Cait, 26 September 2012 - 03:49 PM.