How did the Treaty of Versailles lead to World War II?
The Treaty of Versailles, which was signed by Germany at the Paris Peace Conference after World War I (1914–18), led to World War II (1939–45) because German leaders and citizens thought the treaty’s terms were too harsh. As one of the defeated Central Powers in World War I, the German government was forced to sign the treaty at the Paris Peace Conference (1919–1920) under threat of more fighting from the Allies. (The Allies were Serbia, France, Great Britain, Italy, Russia, the United States, and nineteen other nations. Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire were the Central Powers, who fought against the Allies.) Nevertheless, the German people faulted their leaders for accepting terms that were meant to punish Germany. For instance, one clause in the treaty stipulated that Germany had to take responsibility for causing…
