On this International Day of Peace, Reflections on War.
The real causes of World War One (The Great War), are still unclear. But we do know this:
The roots of World War Two can be found in the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, signed after Germany’s defeat in 1918.
My own long-standing and firmly-held belief is that actions carried out in a spirit of vengeance and revenge almost always have unforeseen consequences, often of the most catastrophic nature. (We see that today in Afghanistan).
The Treaty of Versailles
It was designed to punish Germany for its aggressive behaviour, which resulted in The Great War.
But when nations go to war, it is the leadership that bears responsibility, not the people as a whole. Nevertheless, the Versailles Treaty meted out punishment that affected the entire German population.
Germany was required:
- to give up large pieces of its territory to Poland and other nations.
- to give up all control over its economy and economic decision-making and-
- to agree to unspecified and unlimited economic reparations.
These provisions contained within them, the seeds of discontent, which eventually gave rise to anger, resentment and hostility across Germany. Those seeds of resentment grew into full-flowered hatred, setting the scene for Hitler’s anti-European and anti-Semitic rhetoric. Many Germans supported Hitler’s demand for the return of severed parts of the German nation and many cheered his unfounded allegations that the country’s troubles were caused in part by Jewish interests.
The United States and Europe both ignored the Versailles prohibition against German re-armament and Hitler took full advantage of that.
The international community failed to act when the warning signs of a new and even more aggressive Germany became apparent.
The world ignored the brutal and vicious anti-Semitism and stood by while Hitler built a military machine.
The League of Nations failed to take the necessary steps required to stop Germany from re-arming. In fact the United States, France and Britain actively assisted the rebirth of the German military.
It was the beginning of what General Eisenhower called the modern "military-industrial complex.
