Final answer:
Georges Clemenceau is conveying in the excerpt that World War I caused a crisis of confidence in European rationality and the balance of power, that justice in peace terms is crucial for preventing future conflict, and that the emotional impact of the war would leave deep scars on the European consciousness.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the excerpt provided, Georges Clemenceau is suggesting that World War I brought about a deep disillusionment with the existing international order and the capacity of modern civilization to resolve conflicts peacefully. World War I proved not only the destructive power of modern weaponry, but also the deep-seated tensions that could not be managed by the existing balance of power.
Clemenceau emphasizes that harsh treatment in the peace terms could sow the seeds of future conflict, whereas a just settlement might promote lasting peace. He highlights the danger of imposing overly punitive measures on Germany, hinting at the possibility of German retribution if the nation felt unjustly treated in the peace of 1919. Furthermore, the emotional and psychological scars left by the unprecedented slaughter of the war had fundamentally changed the European psyche and could have ramifications in international relations.