Thursday, February 7, 2008

Versailles Treaty

I find it very interesting that the Treaty of Versailles had such a strong impact on Germany. It actually became a blessing in disguise due to Germany's new clean slate. My question is if the German's were not granted this clean slate, would they have been as successful in the war?

4 comments:

David Strachan said...

By clean slate, I guess that you are referring to Germany's military because the Versailles Treaty did anything but give the Germans a clean slate. Reparations bills, demilitarization of the Rhineland, and reduction of the military all attempted to cripple Germany's future war making ability. However, the clean slate term is given to Germany after WWI because it allowed to the German high command to evaluate each officer based off performance and capability (and kick those who weren't out), thus creating an officer corps that was highly capable and motivated. Because of this, Germany's military, although severely handicapped due to numbers, was able to self-critique their performance in WWI while the Allied nations for the most part stuck to their old fashioned ways and didn't adapt to technology.

Erica Cailteux said...

I think that Germany absolutely had a better opportunity to rebuild their military with the "clean slate" idea. Plus all other Euoprean nations had to keep tabs on each other while Germany only had to regulate and improve themselves. England had evaulate its whole empire whil Germany just dealt with their personal dilemmas.

scott kaserman said...

as a overview of the versailles treaty i agree with erica in the fact that germans had to regulate and improve themselves, and in terms of a clean slate, germany really had nothing to lose. They went to the maximum with their inflation, therefore causing them to start from the bottom. which in turn allowed for one man with a strong view point to pronounce his views on others extremely successfully and with that one view a country was built back up according to hitlers structure.

David A. Andelman said...

Fascinating !
For another great take on the Treaty of Versailles and its frightening consequences for the subsequent decades, do have a look at my wonderful new book, "A Shattered Peace: Versailles 1919 and the Price We Pay Today" [ www.shatteredpeace.com ] ... available through Amazon and most bookstores !
(i'd also be delighted to chat with your class via speakerphone or video hookup!)
All the best,
David A. Andelman
david@ashatteredpeace.com