To What Extent Was the Treaty of Versailles Far on Germany?

To what extent was the Treaty of Versailles fair to Germany?

This essay will be based on whether the Treaty of Versailles was fair upon Germany. The Treaty of Versailles was a peace settlement signed after World War 1 had ended in 1918. Most of it was decided by the ‘Big Three` Woodrow Wilson, David Lloyd George and Georges Clemenceau.
In my opinion, I think that the Treaty of Versailles was not fair to Germany. Moreover the aims of were too harsh, due to the fact that George Clemenceau (president of France) had demanded that Germany should pay for the damage that was caused in the war. The price that Germany had to pay was gathered to $33 billion dollars. However the damage was not just caused by Germany therefore they should not pay for reparations otherwise it would be unreasonable to Germany. However, France had lost a quarter of its male population. Also over 48,000 km of French roads and 23,000 factories had been destroyed. In compensation, Alsace Lorrain was returned to France. Despite the fact that Alsace Lorrain was returned to France, Germany still had to pay for reparations.
In 1919, Woodrow Wilson (president of USA) issued his fourteen points at the Versailles Conference in hopes of resolving the First World War and future wars, and also creating a lasting peace. The Fourteen Points included an end to secret treaties, freedom of the seas, free trade, a large scale reduction of arms, and self-determination. Wilson believed that all of these issues had helped cause the war. Wilson lastly called for a League of Nations to help keep peace in the future. Moreover, the Treaty of Versailles was not the kind of treaty that he wanted, although it had a result of a new formation of new countries that afforded some of the peoples of Europe the independence that they long wanted.
In addition, David Lloyd George (president of Britain) was determined to punish Germany due to the fact that this is what he promised the British public. However, he wanted justice, but he did not want revenge. Moreover, he said that the peace must not be harsh as it could lead to another war.
As the aims were finalised, Germany had lost all their overseas colonies. They had also lost 10% of their land. Germany was split into two due to the fact that Pozan was given to Poland, thus Poland had become a country for the first time since 1815. Moreover, Danzig had become into an independent city under the care of the League of Nations. This would affect Germany Because Danzig was their main port, hence they will no longer be able to trade goods, and therefore Germany would slowly become poor. However even though this is not fair upon Germany, Danzig as well as the city Memel had finally become into an independent city which they had long waited for.
Moreover, the Rhineland that separates France from Germany had had become into a demilitarised zone, meaning that German troops were not allowed into the area. Furthermore, the military clause was the harshest and most damaging clause, and was greatly disapproved of by Germany. The size and power of the German army was one of her greatest assets. By restricting her to an army of only 100,000 volunteers, the Treaty left her defenceless and vulnerable. For such a large country, an army of 100,000 men was just big enough to keep order within Germany, but was not large enough to defend Germany from other invading powers. The army was a symbol of German pride and an important political source of nationalism. Having almost half of it taken away ruined Germany's Great Power status, and made her an easy target for other countries. Thus, Germany was only allowed to keep six of their battle ships. Hence the German armed forces were not allowed to build or buy any armed vehicles, submarines or military craft.
Also the war guilt was unjust, as well as the reparation clause. This had a great impact on Germany. It forced Germany to say that they alone caused World War 1 and that it was therefore right and proper that they had to pay reparations. The war guilt clause was also a justification for reparations. It was also widely taken to mean that Germany was a 'rogue state'. Moreover, the German government was force to accept the blame that they were the sole cause of the war. From my point of view Europe had slid into war and that it was not one country's fault since most were involved in the arms race and alliance system. Therefore Germany should not have to take the full blame for it.
In conclusion, The Treaty of Versailles was extremely unfair to Germany, due to the fact that the Treaty was a Diktat; moreover Germany was not allowed to be part of the European Society. Due to this action there could be future problems in Europe. In addition, my opinion on the treaty of Versailles was fair until Germany had to pay full reparations as well as limiting their armed forces.