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Treaty of Versailles

Sowing the Seeds for the Second World War?

Key Insights

The 1919 Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty ending the First World War between Germany and the Allied Powers of Great Britain, the US, and France. Defeated Germany had to pay reparations and limit its army to 100'000 men. Germany further lost its colonies and made territorial concessions in Europe. Advocates believed the treaty ensured Germany would not become a threat to peace. Critics claimed the treaty was too harsh, creating dissatisfaction leading to the Second World War.

Written by Sophie Groenheijde

27 February 2023 · 00:00 CETUpdated 21 June 2026 · 18:23 CET

Additional Information

Picture of Map of Germany: No Changes Were Made. Source / Author: Based on Afbeelding:Duitsland1914-1923.png from the Dutch Wikipedia: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afbeelding:Duitsland1914-1923.png. User:52 Pickup: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:52_Pickup https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:German_losses_after_WWI.svg License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.en Picture of Delegates: No Changes Were Made. Source / Author: The British Government. A unknown book published before 1930. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:England_Objects_to_the_Treaty_of_Versailles,_June_1,_1919.png License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

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Sophie Groenheijde

Cite this brief

Groenheijde, S. (2023). Treaty of Versailles. EPIS Insight · International Economic Relations.

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