WoRlD WaR Ii: ThE RiSe Of NeW IdEoLoGiEs Results of World War I
It was hoped that the Treaty of Versailles would ensure that there was lasting peace in Europe. In fact, the Treaty became one of the main causes of an even more devastating war two decades later. 1. Resentment
Germans were very angry at the terms of the Treaty. They did not believe they should be blamed entirely for the war and resented the size of the reparations. Many Germans felt betrayed by their government for signing the Treaty. This sense of betrayal resulted in anger towards the German government and also towards the Allied Powers.
Germany was not the only country that felt anger towards the Treaty. The Italian representatives at the negotiations left early in protest at the small amount of land they were to receive under the Treaty. This sense of betrayal by their allies in the war later helped the rise to power of a new leader in Italy – Benito Mussolini.
2. Unemployment and poverty
The size of the reparations, the loss of land and the failure of many industries made it very difficult for Germany to rebuild its economy. Many people across Europe were unemployed and this poverty led many in Germany to blame the Treaty for their economic difficulties.
Source A u
13
Looking at the evidence
This German man in 1919 has a sign around him that says: ‘I am looking for any work!’
1. Why do you think he had to walk around with this sign?
2. In what way would high levels of unemployment cause political problems?