What Effect Did The Treaty Of Versailles Have On Germany

World War I was triggered by several philosophies including nationalism, militarism, and secret alliances. On the eve of World War I, many European countries and nations of people without a state held nationalistic beliefs in the supremacy and superiority of their own nation. This, combined with the belief that a strong country had a strong military, led to deep tensions throughout Europe that were only intensified by the many secret alliances and treaties formed to ensure mutual support if attacked. The results of these principles culminated on July 28th, 1914, when nineteen-year-old Gavrilo Princip, member of Slavic terrorist organization The Black Hand, assassinated Austrian heir Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie. The assassination prompted Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia, which then provoked Russia to start mobilizing. Germany,
This could have been fixed by allowing Germany to negotiate more with the Allies, but instead the Allies did not even allow them to be present to discuss the conditions. This abuse of power resulted in resentment from Germany and a rift in the delicate balance of power in Europe that would lead to cultural discontent, eventually attracting people to the emerging fascist ideology and Hitler (Keynes). Despite Germany’s best efforts, the Treaty of Versailles came into effect and Germany took a great hit. The German people’s pride was bruised after having lost the war, its colonies, military, and land. Still not satisfied, France was demanding harsh enforcement of the Treaty and even sent troops to occupy Germany’s chief industrial center, the Ruhr Valley (Spielvogel 555). Germany began to plunge into a financial crisis after being forced to pay reparations they could not afford and overproduction of printed money, thus resulting in massive hyperinflation and rapid change throughout the