Ellicia ChiuMrs. DalyWorld History: Period 34/27/15How did the Treaty of Versailles help cause World War II? World War I is recorded as one of the "deadliest conflicts in human history". With over 16 million deaths, it was one of the first wars with a high number of casualties. However, the one at the top of the list with around 60 million deaths was World War II. What caused such a large-scale war in the first place? Seven and a half months after the First World War, a treaty was signed between the victorious countries, Great Britain, France, the United States and Germany (overview). It was created with the intention of creating peace in Europe and ensuring that another war like World War I does not happen again. However, peace was short-lived before World War II engulfed Europe and the rest of the world in brutal bloodshed. Instead of a lasting peace, the Treaty of Versailles contributed greatly to the cause of World War II as it caused humiliation and anger in Germany. The pent-up emotions eventually led to the rise of the Nazi Party and Adolf Hitler, who were angry over the loss of territory, military restrictions, economic reparations, and the war guilt clause. The provisions of the Treaty of Versailles were intended to overthrow Germany. and make it as weak as possible. One of the solutions proposed by the winners was to take territory away from Germany, resulting in the country losing over forty percent of its coal producing areas. They took away the Polish corridor, parts of East Prussia, parts of Denmark, as well as Lorraine-Alsace (Doc A). Removing the Polish Corridor put Germany in a difficult position, as it divided it geographically into two parts. Furthermore, the city of Gdańsk was also a... paper center...... which unleashed hatred towards the treaty, resulting in World War II. The Treaty of Versailles, initially created to maintain peace in Europe and ensure that another war like the First World War would not happen again, had in fact proven counterproductive and had dragged the world into a deeper and bloodier battle. The treaty strongly discriminated against Germany, with the loss of territory, military restrictions, economic reparations, and the war guilt clause. This caused humiliation and anger in Germany and led to Hitler and the Nazi Party coming to power. World War II was not just started by Adolf Hitler and Germany, but had much to do with the humiliation Germany suffered when the terms of the Treaty of Versailles were established. The harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles may be indirectly linked to the cause of World War II, but they were nevertheless a determining factor in the outbreak of the war..