World War 1 Dbq Essay

Before 1914, society had never seen a war with so many losses; not just in terms of life but economically as well. The war took place from 1914 to 1919, with two main sides, the Allies (France, England, Russia, later Italy and the U.S.) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey). The war officially began when Austria declared war on Serbia, and after that a domino-effect took place. Within a few months most of Europe was tangled up in a struggle for economic and political power. One country however, Germany, was determined to beat everyone and seemed to be in the middle of all the conflicts. After a total loss of 17 million people, both soldiers and civilians, the war ended with an Ally victory. In 1919, the Allies (except

Germany alone is forced to take the blame for all of World War I, even if everything that happened was not only their fault. Also Article 232 explains, “...Germany undertakes, that she will make compensation for all the damage done to the civilian population of the Allied and Associated Powers and to their property during the period of the belligerency…(Doc E).” The treaty forced Germany to reimburse the Allies for all the damages done, which totaled up to an enormous amount of 341 billion (U.S.) dollars, according to Doc “F”). Not only was this very difficult to achieve, it angered Germany so much that by 1933, they stopped paying the Allies altogether. A chart was created from varied sources showing the money that Germany was responsible for paying to the Allies between the years 1921-1933. In 1921 when the payments started, the Germans owed 367 billion U.S. Dollars. Then, the total amount was reduced to 341 billion, but it didn't matter, they paid very little anyways. The Treaty of Versailles made demands and restrictions of Germany that greatly affected their future and that of Europe too.

In the Treaty of Versailles, the Allies made strict rules

Laurence V.Moyer wrote about the German views saying, “.... Most Germans saw it as an atrocious injustice, an evil thing which must be destroyed… What they knew of the treaty was etched indelibly in their minds and could be abbreviated in (a) single word: humiliation…. (Doc H)”. Although they did sign the Treaty of Versailles, they believed that Europe had been unjustly cruel to them, and had gone too far in their punishment. In 1924 Adolf Hitler, a German political figure who will later be essential to world history wrote, “.... The restoration of the frontiers of 1914 could be achieved only by blood. Only childish and naive minds can lull themselves in the idea that they can bring about a correction of Versailles by wheedling and begging…. (Doc B)”Before he came to power in the 1930’s, Hitler tried to unify the German people against the rest of Europe, and took advantage of their shame and indignity. He states that the only way for them to regain their territory and reputation with Europe was by going to battle for it. According to Hitler, this won't be achieved by following the agreement within the Treaty of Versailles. Moyer later explains, “….Much of the exaltation (enthusiasm) within Germany arising from the Nazi regime arose (from) the way in which Hitler restored a sense of pride, reawakened a sense of self