Adolf Hitler-The Breaking of the Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty signed between Germany and other European countries and nations, such as France and Britain, after the end of World War 1. It was signed in the Versailles Palace, on June 28, 1919. It also created a League of Nations, whose goal was to keep peace among the different countries in Europe. The primary concern stated in the treaty, was to limit Germany’s power, army, and economy, and ultimately, prevent Germany from spurring on another World War. It did just that. The Treaty of Versailles, if anything, pushed Germany into starting the Second World War. The treaty consisted of many articles, or rules. One of which, Article 231, also named “War Guilt,” basically blamed Germany for the first world war. Because World War 1 was declared the fault of Germany, Germany was forced to pay reparations to the League of Nations. This was a major contribution towards the hatred and vengeance created by Germany towards the other European nations, especially France and Britain.

Although Germany did contribute greatly to World War 1, once many of the problems and arguments were settled, the treaty antagonized Germany and took away many of Germany’s rights, such as an army population maximum of 100,000 soldiers, to reduce the chance of a spontaneous attack by Germany out of vengeance and hatred towards the opposing nations. It wasn’t only the treaty, but also the League of Nations. The League took away enormous amounts of Germany’s land in Africa and the Pacific, and spread the control of the land throughout all other nations in Europe. By the time the Treaty was in full effect, Germany had lost many rights, and was gradually getting angrier and angrier towards its opposing nations. Adolf Hitler, an Austrian born Dictator, was in control of Germany. He had long promised to his people that he would undo the effects of the Treaty of Versailles. His official refusal to no longer accept the terms of the treaty was in March of 1935.

Although the League claimed they would handicap Germany’s army with a maximum population, they never followed through with their plans. In a way, this gave Hitler some encouragement to defy the treaty and spur on a resistance. Hitler’s first move in resisting the effect of the Treaty of Versailles was sending his troops into Rhineland, which the treaty stated that no German soldiers were allowed to come within 30 miles of. The French were not ready to start another war, so they did nothing. The only action taken was an appeasement from Britain to Germany. Hitler stated to the League of Nations that he would have reduced his resistance or even stopped all defying of the Treaty and abide by the articles, if France and Britain had stood up to him. In a way, the French and British talked the talk, but did not back it up when someone did something about it.

The Treaty of Versailles, along with the League of Nations, did not handicap the German Empire. If anything, it provided a realization that Hitler could do anything, and have other countries not do anything in return. As he slowly and gradually tested the Treaty of Versailles and its articles, he realized it actually helped him. He found ways to evade the rules and make them work to his advantage. For example: A maximum of 100,000 soldiers in Germany’s army. Hitler realized that by making a program for training young men military techniques and survival skills, along with basic fighting styles and other militaristic values, without creating a registered army, he was slipping through the soldier maximum limit. He was not creating an army, just preparing one in case of a time where the rules were needed to be broken.

The Treaty of Versailles empowered Adolf Hitler to test the will of the League of Nations, and all other European countries. If the League of Nations had enforced their goals and hopes for the Treaty of Versailles, maybe Adolf Hitler would never have spurred on World War 2, and the lives of millions would not have been claimed from hate and war.