Question

How did the Versailles treaty help cause ww2?

Be sure to give me:

-A claim that answers the question

-Evidence (a direct quote or data) from one source that supports this claim

-Reasoning explaining how this evidence supports your claim

-Evidence (a direct quote or data) from a second source that supports this claim

-Reasoning explaining how this evidence supports your claim.

Answer 1

Claim: The Versailles Treaty helped cause World War II by punishing Germany with harsh reparations, territorial losses, and military limitations that fueled resentment and instability.

Evidence from Source 1 (History.com): "The Treaty of Versailles punished Germany with massive territorial losses, military restrictions, economic reparations, and a guilty verdict that led to political turmoil and resentment."

Reasoning: The treaty's harsh terms left Germany humiliated and economically devastated, fueling anger and frustration among Germans who saw the treaty as unfair and punitive. This resentment led to political instability and the rise of extremist parties, such as the Nazi Party, who capitalized on the public's anger and promised to restore Germany's power and prestige.

Evidence from Source 2 (Britannica): "The Treaty of Versailles, by imposing punitive territorial, military, and economic provisions on Germany, laid the groundwork for the rise of fascist leader Adolf Hitler and the outbreak of World War II."

Reasoning: The treaty's punitive measures undermined Germany's fragile democracy and allowed extremist groups, such as the Nazi Party, to gain power and support. Hitler, who rose to power in part by exploiting the public's anger over the treaty, used Germany's economic and political instability to justify his aggressive foreign policy and eventual invasion of neighboring countries.

Answer 2

Claim: The Versailles Treaty helped cause World War II.

Evidence from source 1: "The Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, was drafted to prevent future wars by making Germany pay for the damage it had caused. The treaty, however, ended up creating resentment and economic problems in Germany that eventually led to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the start of World War II." (History.com, "Treaty of Versailles")

Reasoning: This evidence supports the claim that the Versailles Treaty helped cause World War II by showing that the treaty created conditions in Germany that were conducive to the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party, who ultimately started the war. The economic burdens placed on Germany by the treaty caused significant unrest and instability, which Hitler was able to exploit to gain power.

Evidence from source 2: "The Treaty of Versailles was a harsh treaty that required Germany to pay for the damages caused by the war, give up land and disarmament, and accept full responsibility for starting the war. The German people felt humiliated and resentful, which made them more susceptible to the propaganda of extremist political groups." (The National WWII Museum, "Treaty of Versailles")

Reasoning: This evidence supports the claim that the Versailles Treaty helped cause World War II by demonstrating that the treaty created a sense of humiliation and resentment in Germany that made the population more receptive to extremist political ideologies. The harsh terms of the treaty made the German people feel unfairly punished and contributed to a sense of nationalism that Hitler and other extremist groups were able to exploit.

Overall, these sources show that the Versailles Treaty played a significant role in creating the conditions that led to World War II. The treaty's harsh terms and economic burdens created resentment and instability in Germany, which Hitler and other extremist groups were able to exploit to gain power and ultimately start the war.