4 Whilst trying to secure the peace, the Treaty of Versailles left a bitter taste in Germany's mouth. Keynes may have had a point about the European economy being connected because following the war we experiences the Great Depression not only in Europe but also in the United States. The treaty also left out provisions for the economic rehabilitation of Europe and Germany itself.5 If the Treaty of Versailles worked on restoring Germany and Europe together, then perhaps the war could have been avoided. .
The economic sanctions imposed on Germany dealt directly and indirectly to World War II. As stated previously Germany had to pay 132 billion gold marks in reparations and had to provide free coal to France and Belgium. This caused the German economy to fall. Germany was in debt to many countries. After the American Stock Exchange fell, America sought out all of their foreign loans.6 This caused Weimar Germany to be destroyed. The unemployment in Germany was up to six million. The Chancellor in Germany started to cut government expenses, wages and unemployment pay. The citizens of Germany were upset and this anger helped the Nazis come to power.7 Because of these harsh economic sanctions and a growing depression the German people looked to anyone who promised them better times, that person happened to be Adolf Hitler. If the other European counties and the United States had been realistic about these sanctions, then the German economy would not have been in shambles. The Weimar Republic in Germany was a failing government and they were not able to fix the economy. This caused the citizens to lose faith in the government and democracy and seek out extremist parties, like the Nazi Party.8 One can then conclude that these economic sanctions on Germany, which caused a crumbling economy, assisted Hitler in his rise to power thus creating World War II. .
The Treaty of Versailles created the League of Nations.