Why The Treaty of Versailles Was Such A Shock For Germany? (Documentary)

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The Treaty of Versailles was the first of the big peace treaties after the armistice of 1918. In just six months the allied powers had - without talking to the defeated powers - negotiated a new world order while trying to make sure Germany would pay reparations to rebuild. The German delegation was only informed about the peace terms a few weeks before signing the Treaty and they were shocked about the terms. In May 1919 they even considered not signing the contract at all.
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» SOURCES
Gerwarth, Robert. The Vanquished. Why the First World War Failed to End, 1917-1923 (Penguin, 2017).
Leonhard, Jörn. Der überforderte Frieden. Versailles und die Welt 1918-1923 (CH Beck, 2018)
Macmillan, Margaret. The Peacemakers: Six Months that Changed the World (London: John Murray, 2001).
Sharp, Alan. The Versailles Settlement. Peacemaking after the First World War, 1919-1923 (Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan, 2008).
Stevenson, David. 1914-1918 (London: Penguin, 2012).
Winter, Jay and Antoine Prost. The Great War in History (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008).
Hobsbawm, Eric. Age of Extremes. The Short Twentieth Century 1914-1991 (Abacus, 1994).
www.ataa.org/reference/iacom.pdf
germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org/p... quoting:
Philipp Scheidemann,„Gegen die Annahme des Versailler Vertrages 12. Mai 1919“,Politische Reden III, herausgegeben von Peter Wende. Deutscher Klassiker Verlag:Frankfurt am Main, 1994, S.254-62
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»CREDITS
Presented by: Jesse Alexander
Written by: Jesse Alexander
Director: Toni Steller & Florian Wittig
Director of Photography: Toni Steller
Sound: Toni Steller
Editing: Toni Steller
Motion Design: Philipp Appelt
Mixing, Mastering & Sound Design: above-zero.com
Maps: Daniel Kogosov ( / zalezsky )
Research by: Jesse Alexander
Fact checking: Florian Wittig
Channel Design: Alexander Clark
Original Logo: David van Stephold
Contains licensed material by getty images
All rights reserved - Real Time History GmbH 2020

[@TheGreatWar]

We could not make this show without your support on Patreon. If you pledge to support us now, we will send out original WW1 postcards signed by the team. Patreon supporters can also chat with us live on Discord after every episode. More details: patreon.com/thegreatwar

[@sicily7220]

Thank you for all the hard work. I have been watching this channel since 2016.....and spent 6 months binge watching to catch up to get current by 2017.

[@kingmichealthefirstofroman2278]

keep up the wonderful work with telling the stories of war and peace and if you need help to translate any danish documents then I will gladly help

[@Daniel-or4yh]

What happened to Idy

[@joanterueljurado5867]

one question, why de image on the 4:51 there's a picture of the spanish king, Alfonso XIII, and a shield with the symbol of castilla? the league of nations reunited in spain?

[@kstreet7438]

@@Daniel-or4yh shellshock and now he lives in the future

[@duckman12569]

"This is an Armistice that will last 20 years" That's one hell of a prophecy

[@kaczynskis5721]

A cartoon at the time showed Wilson, Lloyd George and Clemenceau exiting from Versailles while to the left a naked infant is weeping - it has on its back "Class of 1940".

[@scottklocke891]

And true

[@jacklang3314]

This is also another one: One day the great European War will come out of some damned foolish thing in the Balkans - Otto von Bismarck (1888). Edit: 1898

[@gsacelm7753]

@@jacklang3314Bismarck also said in 1898 that the German Empire will collapse in 20 years and colonies are tumours to the Empire, soo, yeah. Now you know how Bismarck always have a plan.

[@Cancoillotteman]

@@gsacelm7753 Bismarck knew Walpole was behind this ;)

[@Khaoki]

"KZbin's advertising policies are about as effective for a war history channel as an Italian offensive in the Alps." sensible_chuckle.gif

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

,😂😂😂😂😂

[@jessealexander2695]

I don't often make jokes on the show, but when I do...

[@UnfriendlyZone]

Jesse Alexander Keep up the great work, you’re a worthy successor!

[@jessealexander2695]

@@UnfriendlyZone Thanks!

[@TheCimbrianBull]

Everybody: *LMFAO!* 😂🤣😅 Cadorna: *confused Pikachu meme*

[@jamieholtsclaw2305]

I would say Versailles failed due to 2 things: 1) Germany's expectations for peace were conditioned by their near victory in the war. Their hopes were so high that the idea that they would be punished was unimaginable. 2) France's expectations were conditioned by them believing the alliance of 1918 would continue indefinitely. So, they expected that they could enforce the treaty terms with the full armed weight of France, UK and US.

[@marksantiago9841]

So i guess for a treaty to succeed, the victor would have to raze the opponent’s country to the ground to not give them a false hope of a possible victory, as what happened to germany in the second world war. Which is why the UN is successful

[@carlosdelgado2737]

Germany's expectations for peace were conditioned by - as it was stated in Brockdorffs speech - Wilson 14 points plan and the diplomatic notes.

[@haochenglin8881]

@@marksantiago9841 The Entente Powers could have stationed troops in Germany without razing them to the ground and achieved the same effect. Razing an opponent's country to the ground after victory sounds like something Daenerys would do, given that she burnt down King's Landing after their surrender.

[@phase0400]

Germany knew they would be punished, they came close to a victory but ultimately lost. They were probably hoping that they would get an equivalent punishment to Napoleonic France, and to be fair, that is probably what should have happened. However, no one in Germany expected how harsh the treaty of Versailles was. I am a British, but damn, the Germans had it rough.

[@smal750]

​@@phase0400 obviously you dont know how ROUGH the french civilians had it

[@Norvik_-ug3ge]

Foch predicted war because it was NOT harsh enough to prevent a future war, but harsh enough to provoke one.

[@leris7697]

No, Foch very notably wanted harsher terms, such as the French annexing all territories up to the Rhine river.

[@Norvik_-ug3ge]

@@leris7697 That is precisely what I said. Read my comment more carefully.

[@10karamel37]

@@Norvik_-ug3ge exactly anywy how do you think you could make the treaty of verssiles better?

[@Norvik_-ug3ge]

@@10karamel37 I think if Germany had been denied any armed forces at all, that would have hampered, somewhat, their ability to re-arm in secret. But even though Foch was correct in his assessment, his judgement was a minority one.

[@tomislav2494]

@@Norvik_-ug3ge yea but you cant just leave that big of a country without army they would most likely not accept the terms of that peace treaty and war would continue

[@Paladin1873]

A greater understanding of WWI and its aftermath is critical to understanding WWII and its continuing aftermath.

[@TheCimbrianBull]

Agreed. It still affects us today.

[@samuelphanoto4565]

Yes that shapes every nation internal and foreign policy

[@meganoob12]

@@TheCimbrianBull It doesn't only affect us in europe. Look at the middle east. How many conflicts arise there because the british and french painted borders on their maps after the great war? The current wars in the middle east are not only america's doing but also a relict of ww1

[@TheCimbrianBull]

@@meganoob12 Exactly!

[@aalb1873]

In effect the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles cost for Europe and not only, another World War , The Cold War and a lot of war connected to.

[@iacobibrasiliensium2139]

Treaty of Versailles...overall 2/10 would not sign again

[@Edax_Royeaux]

Except this time France won so they wouldn't have to sign the humiliating 1871 Treaty of Versailles again, which was filled with all those war reparations designed to destroy France.

[@ilFrancotti]

The reparations listed in Treaty of Versailles of 1871 were measured on what Napoleon imposed onto the German Kingdoms in early century to keep French war machine going. Those were not meant to destroy France at all, in fact, it managed to pay them back before schedule. If Germany would impose reparations measured on those of WW1 upon France.. France would have to pay for the rest of it's history.

[@NotSure7474]

Germans loose because they insist on playing by the book and with honor, when will they learn.

[@iacobibrasiliensium2139]

Germany and France's back and forth really only led to centuries of conflict and alienation between two societies that were pretty similar. In the end two nations, or their leaders figured out it was better to cooperate with one another then keep fighting pointless wars

[@Edax_Royeaux]

@@ilFrancotti No, the Treaty of Versailles was intended to remove France as a military power and threat to Germany by using crippling reparations. However, this didn't work because France's economy exploded, and were able to shrug off the reparations and remain a huge threat to Germany. The Germans meanwhile, endured the Great Depression, which destroyed the Capitalist economies.

[@housesports000]

1815 - Europe says they will never have a war for 100 years 1914 - *World War I* 1919 - Europe says they will not have a war for 20 years 1939 - *World War II*

[@HarrowKrodarius]

Europe should have said, Europe will never have war again. maybe then it would have worked

[@handsomelyditto4215]

u forgot about the franco prussian war

[@vibovitold]

Germany and the Soviet Union

[@TAKE_BACK_BRITAIN]

@@handsomelyditto4215 It means major war. The Franco Prussian war doesn’t count as a major war.

[@tom170670]

@@handsomelyditto4215 and even more important for Germany, the war of 1866 between Prusdia and Austria.

[@niku4154]

The biggest problem of Versailles is that the opponents viewed each other not as humans, but as enemies.

[@mamavswild]

This is a perfect take on the situation. Thank you

[@DonMeaker]

It isn't like the Germans were acting as if they were humans.

[@tefky7964]

@@DonMeaker While Entente yes?

[@DonMeaker]

@@tefky7964 Compared to Germany, there was a significant shortage of murders by poison gas on the part of the Entente.

[@jamieholtsclaw2305]

This is how all countries everywhere view their opponents. The biggest problem was the Allies weren't willing to offer Germany a treaty that matched the power the Allies had to enforce it.

[@rogerhwerner6997]

I've studied the Great War for half a century and this is one of the most concise presentations in any media that I've found. Excellent research and marvellously presented!

[@jessealexander2695]

Thanks Roger!

[@GrrMeister]

*My Father in Law Fought in that 'Great War' Alfred Collington (38605) Bombardier Royal Garrison Artillery at the Somme, Arras and Liévin (Near Lens) where he lost his leg but survived to later father his daughter - my wife today. 2 Sons 1 Daughter and 6 GrandChildren.*

[@wh0_am_152]

One fact that I believed that he missed is that the US Congress never ratified the Treaty of Versailles due to the fact that they saw it as a time bomb for another war, rather instead the US chose to make the Knox-Porter Resolution in it's place.

[@joeb.3931]

@Wh0_Am_ 1 - the American government at that time was run by progressive democrats that were more interested in persecution of blacks and isolationism than they were about the fate of Europe.

[@GrrMeister]

@@joeb.3931 *Are you 24601 ? - Google it if not sure*

[@hlynnkeith9334]

The US Senate refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles; the US made a separate peace with Germany in 1921. Thus, the US had no interest in the enforcement of the treaty. The British thought the terms of the treaty too harsh and were reluctant to enforce them. The French sought revenge, but alone lacked the power to enforce the treaty. So the Treaty of Versailles insulted the Germans and barked at them but had no teeth to bite.

[@kimok4716]

The british were very hypocrital there. They got everything they wanted from the treaty (colonies, german navy neutralised) and then criticized the french for trying to ensure their future security through land acquisitions and limitations on german military. The British were safe forever while the French future prospects were still very grim with Germany having a stronger industry and larger population.

[@alexzero3736]

Surviving of Russia would be better for everyone of it s allies, and would be very bad for Turks...But this requires shorter war and more determined actions from its allies, Russia needed to be saved...

[@MWWick]

The Rhineland was occupied by the allied forces from November 1918 until June 1930! The last installment of the reparation was paid on the 3 October 2010, 92 years after the end of the WW1, in the amount of 200 mio Euros. Does that looks like "no teeth"?

[@ProjectEkerTest33]

@@MWWick Not enough teeth. They did nothing when Germany re-armed in violation of the treaty. When germany remilitarised the Rhineland they only made token protests. When Germany entered Austria as was expressley forbidden by the treaty they shrugged. Yeah the French occupied the Rhineland for a bit but the USA and British both pressured them to stop, and they cancelled a lot of Germany's reparations.

[@anthow5696]

you all seem to forget the prussian-french war of 1870 the war reparation france had to pay was 100 time worse and they annex territory in europe from france

[@indahooddererste]

“One may deprive Germany of its colonies, depress its armaments to a mere police force, and depress its fleet to the strength of a fifth-tier power. Nonetheless, if it feels that it was treated unfairly in the 1919 peace, Germany will ultimately find means to force its overcomers to be repaid. […] In order to receive remuneration, our conditions may be strict, they may be harsh and even ruthless, but at the same time they may be so fair that the country to which we impose feels that it has no right to complain , But injustice and arrogance, displayed in the hour of triumph, will never be forgotten or forgiven. [...] I can't think of a stronger reason for a future war than that the German people, which must have proven to be one of the most powerful and powerful tribes in the world, would be surrounded by a number of smaller states, some of which had never been before stable government was able to establish itself, but each contained large amounts of Germans who wanted to reunite with their home country. " Loyd George For my taste the best quote.

[@yolomanolo2601]

Austria (With Sudetenland) wanted to join Germany but the Entente said no while at the same time granted such wishes to Czechs and so on. Double standards - for me the wrong side won and we got Stalin, Hitler and all the horrible stuff in return along with supid borders drawn by France and Britain that still make problems today.

[@malgtuzi5020]

@@yolomanolo2601 Honestly the Central Powers winning would’ve been better for the world. Only place that would have any issue would probably the Balkans and the Middle East with the ottomans, but with Austria Hungary and Bulgaria existing in the Balkans I doubt the ottomans would get much, and either way the Balkans suffered from Yugoslavia and the Middle East suffered from colonization and decolonization so its not like either place did well in the real world.

[@Cecilia-ky3uw]

@Friedrich Alexander the only really decent scenario is if we can put someone sensible on the german throne

[@maddoxlacy9072]

@Friedrich Alexander Unlikely. Unlike Germany, France couldnt have even attempted to overturn the peace treaty, no matter how militaristic or dictatorial it became. Alt history scenarios about a communist or fascist France are unrealistic, because German terms wouldve made defense of France itself impossible, let alone assaulting Germany.

[@maddoxlacy9072]

@@Cecilia-ky3uw Wilhelm wasnt in charge of things, the german high command was. He was effectively a puppet monarch for the whole duration of the war.

[@Dayvit78]

Britain always seems to get a really great outcome in treaties while laying the blame at others (People blame France for Versailles when the greatest benefit went to England - no competing colonies and no navy).

[@uncasunga1800]

But their colonies became so vast they stretched themselves too far and most of them became independent around these times.

[@seanlander9321]

No the greatest benefit went to America, and keep in mind that Britain suffered to repay its war loans, while France didn’t pay a penny.

[@here_we_go_again2571]

France and Belgium were the countries that were invaded and where most of the war was fought.

[@gagagagagagagaism]

​@@seanlander9321france paid a much, much higher price during the war

[@seanlander9321]

@@gagagagagagagaism So what? A sovereign loan is a debt that has to be repaid, and France hasn’t repaid a penny to Britain since 1931. It’s official excuse for not paying is poverty, and clearly that claim lost any credibility a long time ago because it’s always been a lie.

[@NoahWeaverRacing]

When you’re largely blamed for a war started by your ally...

[@asasas9146]

It was Germany the one that first attacked Russia, France and Belgium, starting the Great War. The Austrian conflict with Serbia was just regional, and no one could guarantee that the hundreds of thousands of Russian and French soldiers who were already mobilizing near the frontiers of Germany and Austria were going to attack.

[@garygartenzwerg9870]

The Entente was definitely gonna attack sooner or later.

[@NoahWeaverRacing]

Asasas as if the mobilization of Russia, Belgium, and France wasn’t a gesture of aggression already? The war started the moment the Serbs decided to murder the Archduke. Germany was acting as a faithful ally. With hundreds of thousands of Entente troops arriving in The west and east, Germany was pushed into a position where the only option was to attack first. Versailles brought nothing but shame to Germany and did nothing to build a better world.

[@krassendimitrov9747]

@@asasas9146 do not play smart

[@asasas9146]

@@NoahWeaverRacing You could interpret it as an aggression, but by this logic the simple existence of any other country in the world with a military force is a gesture of aggression. Russia was moving troops across his own borders. There is no way to prove that they were going to attack. And in any case, they were nearly Austria-Hungary, a country that had just declared a unillateral war against Serbia. The Serbs didn't murder the Archduke, or at least there is no proof of it. One Serb did it, with support of a few other nationalists. Then Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to the Serbs, with 10 shameful points to humilliate Serbia. And they had just 48 hours to respond or there will be war (despite being no proofs of Serbia complicity with the murder). But fortunately, with pressions of Russia and France, Serbia accepted most of the ultimatum, with the notable exception to not let Austrian police do whatever they want in their country. This wasn't enough for Austria, and then they invaded Serbia. Still, Russia didn't inmediatly declared war on Austria, and waited several days, until finally Germany declared war on everyone.

[@gcircle]

"KZbin's advertising policies are about as effective for a war history channel as an Italian offensive in the Alps." *OOF*

[@benjaminstout941]

Savage

[@valentinstoyanov304]

Bulgaria signed its peace treaty at the townhall of Neuilly in Paris. I visited the place in 2017. Up to this day we say that Bulgaria was "chopped into pieces" back then... I hope that the wounds are healed and we can create a stronger and peaceful Europe.

[@walideg5304]

Bulgaria did bad choices back then. But that is the past and we have move forward. I am always astonished by the hate and the ressentiment from some countries of the treaties, particularly Hungarian. Hungary fought for the wrong cause and they did not want to see their local minorities enjoying the same relative autonomy they had from the Austrians. And at the end they cried of the consequences and still today consider that their territory has been stolen by their neighbour

[@IMPERIALPTY210]

I've always wondered, from a military point of view, what would have happened if after 7 months of peace British and French troops that had suffered so much for 4 years both mentally and physically and had just felt 7 months of peace were told to get back so to speak in the trenches and start fighting again. Especially if Germany left all French territory and made it overwhelmingly clear to everyone that as far as they were concerned the war was over. What then would have happened if Germany had just said no to signing. Would those same extremely war weary British and French troops, facing a Germany that had now left all French lands and made it clear they just wanted peace actually have fought. Would they not rationalize to themselves that fighting a now non aggressive Germany that openly sought peace not make them into what they had been fighting??? I think the allied generals would have a very hard time of it. Especially considering that there were already massive grumblings while the war was still being waged. How do you get men to suffer and die for reparations, for money???

[@kennethmorgan6516]

There were some high ranking allied officers who opposed invading Germany due to the potential of house to house fighting, plus the reasons you mentioned.

[@johnwotek3816]

The british just had to keep the blocade. And german were still in Alsace-Lorraine.

[@felixjohnsens3201]

@@johnwotek3816 It was not French Territory at that time. And the Food situation was much better at that time + fighting on their home turf would have made the Germans fight harder.

[@daviddevault8700]

I think that you have a point. At this point the Germans would have been fighting for survival, they would have had the moral high ground.

[@DonMeaker]

Germany was short food, because Germany was short fertilizer, because of the British embargo. The embargo stayed on until the Germans signed. It should have stayed on until the Germans paid the reparations.

[@Gauntlet1212]

"The Treaty of Versailles" or "How to make sure there will be war again"

[@hilmer8522]

@Rodycaz So true

[@methnostatemel1913]

@Rodycaz WHERES THE LIE THO

[@stephenlarson523]

Yes, the overly generous terms of the treaty enabled Germany to rearm.

[@ruhrgebietflair5444]

die franzosen haben dadurch zumindest nochmal auf schnauze bekommen

[@dererlkonig5086]

indirectly/directly, literally ww II was planned ;v

[@getlost6998]

"I was seated between Jesus Christ and Napoleon." - Lloyd George on Wilson and Clemenceau.

[@ralphbernhard1757]

"Jesus" chose interests. DLG is on record, strutting around his hotel room, "evil emperor"- like dreaming about oil...."yes, yes, *yes* oil, oil, OIL..." ROTFL...

[@shawngilliland243]

That's a very amusing observation by Lloyd George.

[@AndrewVasirov]

The sad part was that "Jesus" wanted the USA to be part of the League Of Nations but the government refused. Those in the government were pagans.

[@rembrandt972ify]

No one should insult Wilson like that.

[@Endremael]

@@rembrandt972ify true, wilson is more of a satan type.

[@robertcbarry]

To be fair France were the ones who declared the Franco-Prussian War in aggression. Yes Bismarck goaded them into it but it was the French who fired the first shots

[@larslundandersen7722]

Lets not pretend that Bismarck wouldn't have initated a war against France, if France didn't fire the first shots. Both France and Prussia were itching for a fight in 1870 and it was gonna happen sooner or later regardless of what you change about history. Prussia was just much more ready for it than France

[@RagingGoblin]

@@larslundandersen7722 It's probably true that he would have sought war with France, but the fact of the matter is that France declared war. I don't think we can discuss history in terms of hypotheticals. France declared war. France was the aggressor.

[@vortex1603]

@@RagingGoblin Aggressor or defender are notions that have no value in law or in a military aspect. It's only a political and ethical point of view to legitimate war. A country always saw itself as a defender, even when it attacks first for defending its interest. It's often the result of the war itself and the propaganda of the winner that create the aggressor or the defender.

[@RagingGoblin]

@@vortex1603 Exactly, and as such the word 'aggressor' has meaning -- politically *and* jurisprudentially speaking, which aren't that far off each other anyway. Many treatises in the 20th century (between nations) boil down to 'who was the aggressor'. Anyway, I disagree with your point about the ethical point of view, and the populace; regimes around the world have always pretended to be the defending nation *because* it is essential to the people who attacks first. Would the Entente have found a justification for another variation of Versailles in the hypothetical event that Russia had marched across the border first? Yes. But history -- at least -- would view the document even more harshly than it does today -- and the people who made it.

[@colindaniels945]

Which was what Bismarck wanted. Another factor is that France expected the southern German states to side with them,but much to France's shock,they sided with Prussia.

[@ayylmao3414]

This truly is one of the best videos you have ever produced, very insightful and clear display of sources, you've helped my understanding of this event greatly.

[@yochaiwyss3843]

Wilson, the dude who presented the "Glorious" 14 points as basis of everlasting peace only to be completely complacent in the Versailles debacle and then call out David Loyd George for "Not having Morals". And people ask why some hate Wilson...

[@Zabi-S]

Wilson the hypocrite. That stroke was karma.

[@SuperRootUser]

Say what you will about his international diplomacy, you have to admit his letters to his wife were the steamiest of all the presidents.

[@richardarriaga6271]

@@Zabi-S Some believe it was the flu that his administration ignored for the war effort. It is possible to get a stroke from the flu.

[@lowlsqwid]

i mean i hate Wilsons domestic policy.

[@abdirahmanidris290]

His 14 points were never going to be accepted. As the main victors, Britain and France had the right to dictate the treaty

[@Autobotmatt428]

“Mr President this treaty does not spell peace but war. War more deadly then the one we have just ended.”

[@OGmaximilian]

Who said this?

[@silverspackos1445]

whos Quote is this

[@seancascanet3428]

Hon. Philander C Knox

[@abdirahmanidris290]

The US didn't really have a big say because they came in quite late. France wanted revenge and Britain wanted dominance

[@davidgarcia32323]

@@abdirahmanidris290 ironically Germany got revenge on France and Britian was begged hitler to stop being so dominant.

[@History_of_China]

Great video, and thanks for your work ! The Chinese delegation refused to sign the treaty because of the "Shandong problem". Germany had had colonies in the Chinese Shandong province since the end of the 19th century, and when WW1 broke out in 1914, Japan captured them. At the end of the war, China asked for them to be returned, supported by the US delegation, but at the peace conference, it was agreed that they would be transferred to Japan instead. This sparked outrage within the Chinese population, especially the young intellectuals, creating nation wide protests known as the "May 4th movement". As a result, the Chinese delegation was pressured into not signing the treaty, being the only one to do so.

[@davidw.2791]

And the Chinese people started looking for answers that don’t involve “Praying that the western powers would play nice”.

[@DonMeaker]

@@davidw.2791 Please note: Japan isn't a western power.

[@stevens1041]

@@davidw.2791 Those same western powers would save China from being erased by Japan. Thanks Western powers.

[@lordraydens]

@@DonMeaker no, but they allied with them

[@reins8053]

Wait didnt the US also not sign the treaty?

[@jciii3334]

Fantastic job!!! This was easily one of the best history docs I have seen in some time.

[@ericcarlson3746]

France had been invaded twice by Germany - reminder that unlike 1914- in 1870 France declared war.

[@AndrewVasirov]

And was ruled by someone that didn't deserve to be called Napoleon.

[@waffelreitter7231]

@@AndrewVasirov The burn is searing

[@w1darr]

Also remind, that between 1300 and 1870, there had been numerous invasions of middle Europe by France, with France annexing rougly 1/3 of its todays territory, with basically no mayor invasion of France by German powers, starting in ~1350 with the annexion of the Dauphine, and ending in the 1700 with the annexion of what was left of Lorraine.

[@yanuchiuchihaanimegamesand3907]

And the 'imperial french army' lost to a bunch of conscripts :P

[@TheBobville]

@@w1darr please France had to defend against english hundred year war invasion, Habsburg holding territory in spain and belgium HRE etc. My point is Europe was up for the taking. Look at Prussia all the land they invade in the east. England and Prussia are well known to attack without declaring war.

[@decube9614]

Could you do a rundown of the technological Innovations during the war?

[@billolsen4360]

Poison Gas, Bomb Brackets on Airplanes, Flame Throwers, Combat Tanks, etc.

[@mhunt7843]

Love the decor, suspenders, the clarity of both your speech and content - thank you!

[@WildDiceOne]

"Let's completely humiliate an honorable enemy. What could possibly go wrong?" Hitler in the Bürgerbräukeller: "Hold my Weißbier."

[@samarkand1585]

...honourable?

[@SillyUwUBilly]

,,Honorable" , lmao

[@viliussmproductions]

I don't think Memel was ceded to Lithuania in the Versailles treaty itself. It was placed under French administration until 1923 when the Lithuanian government staged a 2014 Crimea-style "revolt" and annexed the Klaipėda region.

[@petemagnuson7357]

That matches what I was reading yesterday, yeah.

[@LauWarmerTee]

I also heard it this way

[@seeyouchump]

@@croatiangambler8059 yeah, the 13th century...right...

[@ConorMcgregor322]

@@croatiangambler8059 Yeah it is, Germanic tribes were in the region long before the Balts.

[@viliussmproductions]

@E Fig We're talking about the part North of Neman. While you're right about the local popullace not being too excited about the annexation, the area was heavily mixed with about 1/3rd being German, 1/3rd Lithuanian and another having a more local Memellander identity. The German Empire wasn't as homogenous in the East as you may think.

[@EvoSwatch]

Also known as "How to set a timer on a bomb instead defusing it. Treaty."

[@yanuchiuchihaanimegamesand3907]

there was a timer!?

[@letsdrake3558]

@@yanuchiuchihaanimegamesand3907 yes and it was 20 years ;)

[@fawwazn.1244]

Tbh its like the most Human Way that we could imagine "If the Problem is too great, just put a timer so far off that we didn't care about it anymore"

[@nddavi58]

too right

[@DonMeaker]

As long as the terms of the Versailles treaty were even partially followed, there was no war. Only when it was abandoned, was war made possible.

[@Schmidt54]

Thanks for the very well done video, bringing me up to speed.

[@richierich440007]

I have to hand to this remarkably well reconstituted “Great War” condensed documentary which was undoubtedly very well presented and narrated by a perfect presenter. I’m instantly a subscriber and look forward to your Patreon supporting subscription options. Bravo, très fort et quel présentation.

[@jessealexander2695]

Merci!

[@AkosKovacs.Author.Musician]

"The french wanted it to make rheinland a separate puppet country." - Oh the irony of fate.

[@Zhest-yu8rw]

Brest Litovsk treaty

[@criscabrera9098]

It’s almost sad with what’s to come

[@wandaperi]

The greater tragedy of Hungary losing a majority of its land, especially to Romania

[@andreidodu5581]

@@wandaperi You mean greater tragedy of Austo-Hungarian(Austria) empire losing a majority of its land.

[@Csaba77]

@@andreidodu5581 Who had a role? If I were to shoot the President of the United States somewhere in the world today, wouldn't he attack that country? It was the internal affairs of two peoples, with all of Europe involved. It was just an excuse to draw a map of Europe again.

[@mentality111]

Woodrow Wilson leaving Paris was the equivalent of George Bush's "Mission Accomplished"

[@alastairbarkley6572]

Not only was Wilson the first sitting US president to visit Europe - and he spent SIX months at the Peace Conference. George Bush didn't send six minutes on America's exit strategy.

[@doomie21]

Woodrow Wilson was against this treaty.

[@fristnamelastname5549]

Woodrod Wilson be like *MISSION FAILED! WE GET THEM NEXT TIME!*

[@billolsen4360]

@@doomie21 Plus he was a starry eyed idealist in love his own potential to solve other people's problems. Washington has been in love with war ever since.

[@davepx1]

Not really: he knew he had a fight ahead of him in the US to get the Treaty ratified by a newly Republican-controlled Senate. He had accomplished the Paris part of his mission in getting agreement to the League which was to smooth any postwar difficulties: ironic that his own country was the one holdout.

[@judegrant6664]

Wow! Excellent insightful video, and shows me all sides, all perspectives of the most decisive event in human history! Very impressive presentation and I say "Thank you." because I love such views of why we are where we are today.

[@citywokbesitzer6834]

"Welche Hand müsste nicht verdorren, die sich und uns in solche Fesseln legte?" -Phillip Scheidemann

[@kampffrontdossenheim8719]

@Fabian Kirchgessner ... Und würde heutzutage als Rechter gebrandmarkt werden!

[@drharnsaft1005]

@@jannikmuller5195 Da ist find ich aber auch die Steuerpolitik der fraglichen Parteien ein Faktor drin. Würde beispielsweise keine Partei wählen die weitere Steuervorteile für Großverdiener durchbringen will, wäre aber interessiert an welchen die eine anständige Erbschaftssteuer für Großfirmenerben, wie sie ja vom Finanzministerium gefordert wird und auch in der Verfassung von Bayern drinsteht, einführen will.

[@pimpinmagicianofprophecy]

@@jannikmuller5195 wahre worte.

[@tritop]

@@jannikmuller5195 Den "Krieg", der im Moment gegen uns geführt wird, können wir nicht überstehen. Diesmal wird es keine Trümmerfrauen geben

[@MrChet407]

Welcome to City Wok

[@AgentGWG]

Holy cow, 13:55! That’s a great transition.

[@TheGreatWar]

Toni is flexing his muscles in editing.

[@josephstalin2776]

@@TheGreatWar Toni is cool AF

[@michael7324]

Very cool. I just noticed. Read your comment then had to go back and look.

[@mammuchan8923]

A superb episode put together by a team of consummate professionals, well done Jesse and team⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@danielaspiazo2761]

Love your channel. Great videos, thanks hands down. 👍👍👍👍

[@singletona082]

Personal Opinion: Woodro Wilson and his spin on manifest destiny, pardon... Wilsonism, was perhaps the most damaging and damnding thing possible at this point in time in world history.

[@TheCimbrianBull]

Please elaborate.

[@TheGreatWar]

Introducing ethnic self determination as a guiding principle in a region that is historically very much ethnically mixed and that in the middle of War where everyone uses force to enforce this principle will create a bad situation for everyone.

[@yaujj65]

@Stephen Jenkins Serbia got what they want and finally lost at the Yugoslav War. Only Tito and probably some leaders managed to give life support to this broken nation.

[@criscabrera9098]

And also Wilson says this when the United States is a country of immigrants like if this was true then the United States would split up in small countries for all the immigrants that were there

[@billolsen4360]

But he MEANT WELL! that lets him off the hook with some people.

[@ziadfadeleddine7704]

Thank you for your hard work

[@Wolfspaule]

They missed out so much, it barely qualifies as hard work.

[@makaveli2tt]

I love the narration on this channel. Easy to follow and understand

[@aronhallam6449]

100 hours per programme, I had never thought about, how many episodes have we watched? 200+!

[@tamamatu6395]

Everyone forgets that the Austria-Hungaria and Serbia started the war.

[@heneraldodzz4978]

Yeah the two of them is chilling in the side line while Germany is taking all the blame.

[@mirzahamzabaig5667]

@@heneraldodzz4978 Well Bulgaria was fucked badly too and Ottomans basically lost everything...

[@Hunfootball]

@@heneraldodzz4978 In fact Hungary was ruled by Austria, Austria started the war, and they, escepically Hungary had a much worse treaty. 70% of its land was stolen. Even Austria got some lands... Whila poor Hungary couldn't fight because liberal and communist idiots dissolved the Hungarian army so Romania could easily occupy it.

[@criscabrera9098]

Serbian got attacked and fought back hey didn’t attack first

[@Hunfootball]

@@criscabrera9098 they killed the emperor...

[@sharkywillzy5616]

"A peace too soft for what she has hard, and too hard for what she has soft. " Jacques Bainville, Les Conséquences politiques de la paix , 1920

[@0Zolrender0]

Very well presented. I was scepitcal at the start for your obvious copy of Indy of your set, but you did make a well presented video of a topic I know well. Bravo.

[@chicagofineart9546]

Excellent, amazing sive of high quality information in a short time.

[@espiao7343]

Will you talk about the Treaty of Saint Germain, the Treaty of Trianon and Treaty of sevres aswell?

[@TheGreatWar]

of course

[@Nyctasia]

@@TheGreatWar Then you need to point out that they too had 'sole guilt' clauses naming them 'and their allies' as being responsible and that such a clause was not unique to Germany as was later claimed.

[@KlingelTimi.]

In 12th class we had a homeworkin history. Do a comparison of the treaty of versailles and the treaty of brest-litowsk. After that I understand that the germans did a much more brutal peace-treaty with russia.

[@RedbadofFrisia]

Was in Hungary for a bit, the unhappines with Trianon is still palpable there to this day.

[@benedekbalogh7612]

@@RedbadofFrisia yes,its not uncommon for older generations in Hungary.Luckily majority of the younger generations including me are not really bothered by it and want peace.

[@maxi5845]

17:49 A bad painter: hold my art school rejection.

[@pimpinmagicianofprophecy]

Well at that point you he was a war vetereran. So it would be: hold my asylum papers.

[@ac3683]

@@pimpinmagicianofprophecy hold my medals*

[@billyumbraskey8135]

Red Star Mustachioed Man: Not so fast.

[@zornmauser5291]

The Entente: We will defend each other if attacked! That's what friends do after all. Germany: Comes to the defense of Austria-Hungary when Russia, a member of the Entente, intervenes in Austria-Hungary's war against Serbia The rest of the Entente: *Wait, that's illegal and this whole war is your fault.*

[@leris7697]

How do you come to the defense of an ally in their aggressive, offensive war?

[@leris7697]

@@Whitelockblackwell4499 The first war was declared by Austria-Hungary against Serbia

[@leris7697]

@@Whitelockblackwell4499 Why does it matter? Austria declared the war. Also, the Entente didn't exist until Germany declared war on France and Belgium, and by extension Britain, so no, they were not a part of the "entente."

[@askeladden5764]

@@leris7697 Entente was created in 1904 including France and Britain. Russia joined later in 1906, and the alliance was a response to the Central Powers

[@leris7697]

@@askeladden5764 The Franco-Russian alliance was around before 1904, and the alliance that France and Britain made was extremely weak, hence why Britain only even joined the war after the Germans invaded Belgium

[@BlackieLeone]

Greetings from a German who oriented himself on the left side of the political spectrum an also serves his country as a soldier. Congratulations to such a well researched and neutral view on history with much detail but not so much that you would lose your viewers. You didn't try to put your point of view into your viewers but you let the historian figures speak for themselves and then us to make up our own very minds and get an oppinion about what that treaty was back then. Chapeau! Oh and also you got a new follower. I am looking forward in seeing more from you guys about the past of our world in the future.

[@MrGoldenAssassin1]

Thanks for all the effort u put to bring this episode to life

[@glomman]

The intro always gives me goosebumps, keep up the great work!

[@alyoshaty8823]

Great video. I would love a video like this with additional information about the rolls "The Round Table Group" members had in it.

[@billolsen4360]

King Arthur make all the important decisions there

[@MrPmutley]

Glad to see you guys back on line !! :-)

[@jostocks1801]

I believe it was the great Winston Churchill who stated after serving in the First War, " the conflicts of our future generations won't be fought between nations, no for they shall be wars between ideologies. " Now that is one heck statement that echoes through these times.

[@johnairhart769]

Great video dude, actually really helped me do my AP Euro Project. Thanks

[@edwinloftus2651]

Haven't read it yet, looking forward to it. Working on my own book based on letters of Ordinance Capt. Wilson Galloway, who in Paris, 1918 codesigned the accounting system used by the AEF to calculate material expenditures in the war and headed the report drafting team from 1/1919 to 7/1919. Like Gen. Foch, he predicted the premature end of the war would lead to new war in 20 years. I believe Wilson's policies led to the "settlement not victory" policy that still guides American war conduct today, to our great jeopardy. I'll post again after reading this series.

[@MQuaritch]

I must admit, if I had lived back then and seen my country signed such a treaty, I would have voted anyone to pay revange to such opressors. Negotiating peace might would have required a bit of effort, but humiliating Germany with the whole responsibility of the war was not only completely unnecessary, but also far from honorable and basically a begging for revange.

[@MQuaritch]

@Fabian Kirchgessner They should have left Elsass-Lotringen up for a vote. If they want to leave, they can. But simply forcing them to be annexed by France was wrong.

[@lorrainemapper7000]

France was the primary country that negotiated the treaty, and guess what? France had lost Millions of men, its economy was ruined, its industry was ruined, and northern france was absolutely obliterated, ww1 had been the most devastating war at the time and france punished germany accordingly for making france suffer that much, remember france could have been so much harsher on germany but they didnt

[@lorrainemapper7000]

@@MQuaritch And also it wasnt up to germany to decide about alsace lorraine, that territory had been the primary reason france wanted to take its revenge on germany, alsace lorraine was made of a majority of french speakers and almost everyone in alsace wanted to join france, and either way if alsace lorraine stayed in germany, then it would have meant that france had suffered and fought for years for nothing

[@johannbrrr8065]

@@lorrainemapper7000 by that point of history the majority in alsace-lorraine was German speaking. They had a lot of pro France sentiments when they were taken in 1871, which was slowly fading away, so an election in 1918 would have produced unknown results, that's why there was no election. Now they are French speaking as a result of French cultural genocide. I think France could have been harsher on germany, but you shouldn't forget there would have been a price coming with it, the hate of the Germans would have been even more enormous. And at some point the Germans were needed as a counter balance to industrialising soviet union, or do you think the French could have balanced out the soviet union alone? It needed in the end the US to do so, so France couldn't have done so. Anyway, creating a revanchist Germany would have made Germany ally with the soviet union (as it happened). The only real future for France thus was friendship with Germany based on mutual respect. They need Germany, because they are to weak.

[@lorrainemapper7000]

@@johannbrrr8065 In 1914 Pro french sentiments were still very widespread in Alsace and lorraine due to the Lack of representation they had in the empire and of course a large majority still being pro french as proven by the fact there were almost constant Protests in alsace against the germans Indeed a lot of the population had been forced to learn german but the french identity hadnt disappeared, also what do you mean by ‘cultural genocide’ you mean the forcibly imposed language the alsacians had to learn from 1871 to 1918? As far as i know france didnt erase alsacian culture, it simply restored the french language in alsace because a german speaking population would cause problems, if we dont Talk about alsace speaking german but instead its germanic culture, it was still Alive and still is today, but thats what makes alsacian Identity unique and not an argument to define alsace as a german territory

[@Masada1911]

Thank you guys. I really love and appreciate all your work.

[@nedmerrill5705]

The Versailles Treaty was the inevitable result of the unresolved anger and indecisive conclusion of the Great War. Had Germany been crushed the Allies could have dictated terms with less difficulty. This was not the case and the allies let emotions govern their actions. They wished stability in Europe and but they wanted revenge on Germany, to put the blame and _odium_ of the war entirely on Germany. They didn't appreciate that these ends might conflict down the road. I didn't realize that war threatened in 1919 because Germany was reluctant to sign. Thanks for the video.

[@uncasunga1800]

Yes indecisive That was rectified in 1945 when USSR decisively eradicated Prussia once and for all. Few European cultures have ever been so completely annihilated.

[@uncasunga1800]

Or at least not since the Roman Empire. Even Basques and celts have more representation than the 3rd Reich. Excellent point yes 👍

[@walideg5304]

Yes. That’s why Petain and numerous French generals asked to go to Berlin. The Germans didnot understand that they were beaten.

[@olivierbolton8683]

By 1919 the insight the Banks had into the Financial aspect of war had been well grasped and cannot be underestimated! The war essentially continued as a financial one...

[@geroldfirl]

18:50: "Gen. Gruener didn't think the civilians would be able to hold out: version of the stab in the back theory" - this misses a vitally important aspect of the situation for Germany. The cumulative effects of the Hunger Blockade, which had continued after the Armistace the same as during the war, meant that the civilian population was malnourished and dying in droves already. Another round of war would make it worse. Nothing to do with stabs in the back. It's a question of starvation and disease.

[@valentintapata2268]

I would say that Entante defeated the Central Powers through civilians and economy not soldiers and guns.

[@geroldfirl]

@@valentintapata2268 Right. Germany outfought Britain, France and Russia. But it was like a siege, where the defenders are starved out rather than beaten in battle.

[@billolsen4360]

Yes, we on the Allied side had a lot of blood on our hands thanks to that.

[@johannbrrr8065]

This kind of war are against Germany influenced German nation building I think. The idea of acquiring living space gets much more attractive to people who are being starved to death. So the allies unintentiously set the nature of the next war

[@geroldfirl]

@@johannbrrr8065 Even the Allies recognized that the "peace" terms would lead to another round of war. The whole project was insane from the start. No one knew exactly how bad it would get in the next round, but somehow they just kept making it worse.

[@Runenschuppe]

"If an injury is to be inflicted on an enemy, it is to be so severe, that the enemy's retaliation need not be feared." - Niccolò Machiavelli. The dictate of Versailles was so harsh that there was no way for German sentiment to recover emotionally without another war. But it was not harsh enough to keep Germany down forever. We cannot forget that Hitler and his cronies did not rise to power out of the blue. For years they depended on a coalition of people seeking to undo the ignominy of Versailles. And it was only the foreign policy string of successful reversals that fully cemented their grip on power.

[@noticedruid4985]

Well its debatable if enforcement would've worked they got around the treaty in many ways and the enforcement of occupying the rhineland would've likely slowed down Hitler and delay him but I doubt it would've stopped him though.

[@holgerlinke98]

that might work, but napoleons france was not eradicated, neither did germany eliminate france after the german french war. Maybe that's not the path to peace. Live and let live might be the best way.

[@stephen46xre86]

I am German and I can completely understand my compatriots from back then who called the peace treaty of Versailles a shameful peace.

[@daleschofield9178]

Germans are great, but Kaiser Bill and Hitler were not so great.

[@BasementEngineer]

@@daleschofield9178 Actually they were quite brilliant.

[@oliversherman2414]

I love your channel keep up the great stuff!!!!

[@JasonSputnik]

Excellent coverage, thank you guys!

[@curtisshaw1370]

It's pretty hypocritical of Wilson to accuse anyone of not having principles given that he abandoned most of his to get the League of Nations included in the treaty. At least the United States Senate saw the Treaty for the abomination it was and refused to ratify it, making peace with Germany in a separate treaty. Personally, the Treaty of Versailles has always reminded me of Caudine Forks.

[@geraldfordman7474]

What a hypocrite Wilson was. Just what were his principles, the principles of his pagan Gods?

[@kcharles8857]

Research, analysis and presentation. Great channel.

[@jessealexander2695]

Thanks!

[@REPUBLIC223]

this video was really useful for my history project thank you

[@Krjstofur]

You know if you reoccupied the Rhine, and annex the rump of Czechoslovakia, you could use the renationalized industry to fund the channel.

[@AndrewVasirov]

Yeah, using the Czech gold is necessary for this to happen.

[@nordic5628]

@@AndrewVasirov as Well as Austrian gold

[@46bovine]

This is a great series. Thanks to all of you!

[@dominiquecharriere1285]

If there was someone stupid during the negotiation, it was not Germany, it was Wilson.

[@jakebhenry2228]

Agreed, I hate Wilson though

[@johannbrrr8065]

Why?

[@dominiquecharriere1285]

@@johannbrrr8065 half measures with Germany. Opposing France reconstruction penalty, allowing Germany to recover and destroy Europe 25 years later. And also looking to undermine France and Britain colonial empire. The US presented France demands as too harsh but we must not forget the war in the west developed on French soil mostly, 1/4 occupied and ransacked during 4 years. France northern economy collapsed.

[@brokenbridge6316]

I'm just going to call this a "Complicated Peace." That is how I will refer to the Versailles treaty. And also I'm probably always going to feel that the allies could've done better. Great job.

[@RagingGoblin]

@The Great War Hey, guys -- thanks again for the great show. I would like to add a few observations. Concerning Versailles, I have to admit that the argument that the treaty was the best it could have been fails to respond to the claim that it arguably did break with the spirit of the fourteen points. On a related note, the word honour did not without reason appear even in what few excerpts you presented; for German academics of the time, honour was a central and integral part of the way they viewed the world and gauged a person's behaviour, including their own. To illustrate the extent of this belief, a regulated form of honour duels with live arms (mostly blades) and limited protection was not only extremely common around the time, but also looked upon with approval, thought to nudge youth towards responsible behaviour. (-> Germany's academic circles and clubs) I do not mean to imply that Germans were a thoroughly honourable bunch, but to attack what they perceived as their honour was something they were absolutely unable to withstand. Breaking the spirit of an agreement -- and how else could one possibly call at least the dismissal of self-determination -- did just that. The terms, from an economic standpoint, might not have been impossible to meet, but the attack on what they perceived to be their honour was sure to leave some kind of wound, and it was the height of folly to instil this humiliation when there was no need for it. Speaking of recent trends in research and unravelling some of the arguments having been made as of late, I personally feel that some authors (one of which you have cited) try to make the point that any peace Germany could have realistically stomached would not have been too hard. I cannot help but find this almost too cynical to comment on. It's worthwhile debating that Germany might have been able to uphold the economic punishment it had been dictated, but that too fails to address the question if it should have had to or should have been made to do. The unbudgeable determination to dismiss the amended response of the German delegation on principle, just on the War Guilt Clause (which, incidentally, in its first form had been a part of most major peace treaties of the time) and -- indeed -- what the Germans could only perceive as an audacious and intentional worsening of the insult stands the test of time, for me at least, and even despite the Germans rather pathetic attempt to shift the entire blame on Russia, as cold-hearted calculation driven by neither rationale nor the honest wish to elevate the (diplomatic) spirit of humanity but instead as an embarrassing unveiling of those egocentric and imperial politics that had led Europe into the war in the first place. Germany was obviously in the wrong to annex Alsace-Lorraine in an otherwise mostly reasonable treaty with an equally war-enthusiastic (and, in fact, formal aggressor) France, but almost fifty years later, it is hard to argue that France was in the right to retake what was now a swath of land dominated by a German majority (~90%) that actually did treat the French minorities fairly well, at least until the war. The French callous dispelling of more than a hundred thousand Germans only to resettle the land with Frenchmen from the Province does come reasonably close to a fictional scenario in which Germany announced claims on Polish territories in 2009. The sheer absurdity of such a scenario, despite the obvious parallels, should serve to illustrate the point. All in all, I agree that the academic community has put too much emphasis on Versaille in the past, especially insofar it concerned its destabilising impact on Germany's political landscape, but that does in no way take away from the fact that the Treaty of Versaille very much was(!) a feeble document that, at least in parts, was pervaded by a menacing and petty ghost of revanchism and imperial aspirations that the victors so hypocritically admonished Germany for.

[@Whurlpuul]

Such great french pronunciation. Fantastic job on this video TGW.

[@rock_it9771]

the german ones too! Absolutley awesome

[@KaljaKani]

Thanks for the great episode!

[@InvertedGigachad]

In our classroom for history, we have a huge map on the wall with the title: "Der Erste Weltkrieg und das Dikat von Versailles", or translated: "The First World War and the dictate of Versailles". I love it because it gives the impression that even in a modern and democratic Germany we´re still not over it.

[@jansobieski3127]

What kind of dictate ? You deserved it, because of you Germans many French were killed and many cities were destroyed, and 20 years later you did it again at a much larger scale. You Germans should be very happy and lucky because Germany still exists to this day, after all this bullshit Germany should have been erased froms maps and divided between countries.

[@DonMeaker]

Germany had the option to not sign the treaty, and keep their honor. Instead, they signed it, and violated their national honor on every one of the treaty provisions.

[@lordraydens]

@@DonMeaker what would've been the consequences for not signing it?

[@DonMeaker]

@@lordraydens the war would have restarted. Gosh, imagine that, losing a war that your country started.

[@lordraydens]

@@DonMeaker so you agree that germany signed the treaty at gunpoint. also, germany didn't start the war. serbia did. france and russia were spoiling for war. germany's only crime was being too eager to appease austria-hungary

[@aburyan19]

Thank you. I’m a history buff but learned much new content from this video.

[@Jhawar97]

After the Treaty of Versailles Ferdinand Foch said "This is not a peace. It is an armistice for twenty years". How right he was.

[@Exodon2020]

Yeah, because he advocated for the total dissolution of Germany and basically a re-establishment of the European order Napoléon created - something even France's Allies weren't very fond of.

[@Groveish]

@@Exodon2020 Yeah people always forget this. He wanted German to be completely dismantled.

[@Jhawar97]

Wernher von Kerman Much preferred option anyways. Austria-Hungary was dismantled and so was the Ottoman Empire eventually. Both of those nations never posed a major threat after that. Had the same been done to Germany they would have never posed a threat again either. The allies were too soft on the Germans.

[@chaowingchinghongfingshong3109]

@@Jhawar97 Way 2 hard*

[@peterbaan9671]

@@Jhawar97 - The Astro-Hungarian Empire was already dissolved before the treaties. Also it was a country of countries just like the UK. Also also, the treaty punished Hungary the most, even Austria gained territory from her. So it was not Austia-Hungary but the Kingdom of Hungary and not dismantled, but dismembered. The empire dissolved by itself around two years earlier. I might add, it wasn't the kingdom as it was in the war, Hungary was first in '18 changed to republic, in '19 to soviet republic and later that year to a kingless kingdom. Now that country was punished because of the wrongdoings of the Habsburgs and other emperrors and kings. So since you are in favor of punishing the subjects of despots who broke free of their grip because they had to participate in a war. You are not a libertarian, you are a commie.

[@micahistory]

This is literally the only channel where i enjoy half an hour long videos

[@Silly2smart]

Wow! I never knew so much was involved! Thanks.

[@robertstitches9517]

Fochs reflection on the treaty never fails to send shivers down my spine

[@santeri7843]

Thank you for doing this amazing channel! Keep up the good work please

[@manucitomx]

What a clear and informative explanation. Thank you for all the work that clearly went into this.

[@tisha6367]

Thank you this was very helpful for world history ap!

[@TheOrigamiPeople]

I love Mr Alexander’s delivery.For a History guy he’s the coolest.With jokes.

[@eddienom]

You guys are doing a amazing Job! I appreciate you guys!

[@williamforbess9491]

Great Video keep up the great work!

[@paulgobel6224]

I did my 10th year final presentation on the treaty of Versailles. Hours and days and weeks of work and now I see a video that accurately and concisely summarises all my research….

[@kalsder]

At least you collected a bunch of links to sources while you where at it Thats also an achievement

[@kyleguntner6330]

I love this time period and absolutely love your channel you guys do awesome

[@Kevin-yo3xd]

The Treaty of Versailles had a huge impact on China that people in the West don’t know about. I think some mention of the May Fourth movement would have been appropriate.

[@wilsonzhang9639]

Then led to the communism rise since May Fourth Movement 五四运动 and CCP came to political power in China

[@aeronothis5420]

If only they all knew how correct Jan Smuts was.

[@christopherhull6540]

One of the most brilliant statesmen of his time who has been air brushed out of history.

[@suarezguy]

Nationalism probably even fascism would have probably still happened in Germany with the Great Depression even if there hadn't been the terms of Versailles (which as admitted were mostly unenforced).

[@clixzygames2946]

World: Germany is the reason for both world wars! Austria: Looks the other way whistling casually

[@Djn77645]

so true they were one country at that time

[@clixzygames2946]

@@Djn77645 Hitler is rom Austria

[@sw.7519]

This is today's wanted view. But this is one dimensional.

[@roynavatoify]

Serbian: XD

[@laisphinto6372]

we have to Research if hitler was a serb

[@georgebrown8312]

I am at a loss for words as far as the harshness of the terms of the Versailles Treaty are concerned. I am beginning to believe that Germany was not entirely responsible for WW1. It was the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand by Gavrilo Princip of Serbia that sparked the beginning of WW1. Thank you for this eye-opening video of the Versailles Treaty.

[@Suksass]

Germany was entirely responsible as it gave Austro-Hungary unconditional support to wage war. It also attacked neutral Belgium, thus bringing UK into war.

[@BasementEngineer]

@@Suksass You don't read English too well? Or you have problems with comprehension???

[@natekaufman1982]

"Wilson accused Lloyd George of having no principles." That's the pot calling the kettle black.

[@PingOnThis]

WILLLLLSON!

[@talhahhussain5603]

Wilson's problem was that he was probably TOO principled, with little room for pragmatism.

[@mikelovetere4719]

@Stephen Jenkins Wilson, as all progressives, wanted to see the world as he thought it should be, and not as it was...

[@mikelovetere4719]

Wilson a progressive liberal, traded principles for utopian one world government.

[@hopfinatorischerkuchenkrieger]

Wilson was an utter idiot.

[@beinghumanwithcgjung1002]

No word about the Balfour declaration? The stab in the back which you at times mention and attribute to have come from within Germany was directly linked to the Balfour declaration. It was also settled at Versailles and was of key importance.

[@billfairless6256]

France was the major protaganist when it came to the treaty. As a country they had lost the most of all the allies. The northern part of France was nearly obilterated. They had more killed and injured than any other nation. Their economy was destroyed and they insisted the Germans should pay to restore damaged property. Were the French right or wrong in repressing Germany?

[@BasementEngineer]

Considering that France had invaded German territory 40 times over a period of 400 years, what do you think?

[@billfairless6256]

@@BasementEngineer Germany as a nation was only created by combining many different states some by diplomacy and some by force during the 1800's under the leadership of Bismark. This was the direct result of the Napoleonic wars and the failure of the Continental System. It is somewhat surprising that Britain sided with France considering the many wars fought between them with German States as allies of Britain. Basically in WW1 most of the destruction took place on French soil and they suffered the most. The German Cities and towns did not suffer infrastructure losses comparable to France.

[@rawdawg938]

I've been watching hours of people diving in pools, animals, science and I ended up here. And i've gotta say, I'm glad I did. Although the ads every 3 min made it a task to finish.