Final answer:
Treating Germany more leniently when drawing up the peace treaty after World War I could have prevented future conflicts, appeased leaders who wanted to avoid war, and addressed valid concerns about some provisions of the Treaty of Versailles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Treating Germany more leniently when drawing up the peace treaty after World War I was seen as a good idea by some leaders. This was due to several reasons:
- Preventing future conflicts: The harsh provisions of the Treaty of Versailles, such as the war guilt clause and heavy war reparations, humiliated Germany and left it economically unstable. By offering more lenient terms, it was believed that Germany would be less likely to seek revenge or engage in aggressive actions that could lead to another war.
- Appeasement: Many leaders, such as Britain and France, wanted to avoid another devastating war at any cost. They believed that by making concessions to Hitler and Germany, they could maintain peace and stability in Europe.
- Recognition of valid concerns: Some provisions of the Treaty were seen as excessive, such as stripping Germany of its colonial possessions and the limitations on its military. Treating Germany more leniently was seen as acknowledging these valid concerns and preventing further resentment and conflict.