Sample Material of Our IAS Mains History Study Kit
Subject: History (Optional)
Topic: The Second World War
The treaty of Versailles played a major role in the second world war. Whenever we try to make a comparison between the congress of Vienna and Paris Peace conference we come to the conclusion that in Paris Peace Conference the balance between what was possible and what was desired was disturbed. Although some critics try to justify the approach of allied powers towards Germany in Paris Peace Conference on the ground that even Germany had taken a very tough approach towards Russia in the treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Secondly even the British people developed very anti-German approach and they were shouting the slogan. Hang Kaiser.
But even on the above ground one cannot justify approach of allied powers because the provisions of the treat were quite impossible to be implemented. One member of the British delegation John Menard Keynes himself made this point clear and opposed the provision of the treaty. He came to the conclusion that economic provisions of the treaty of Versailles could not be enforced and as we know the later event proved this. For example, on the basis of the Lausanne conference held in 1932 almost 90% of the total amount outstanding from Germany to allied powers was simply waived off. That’s why we can say that Paris Peace conference could not solve the problem of power-politics in Europe and it could not bring the permanent peace.
Secondly on the one had allied powers hurt national sentiments of Germany and they know very well that German nationalism was grieved but still they did not do something concrete to check the future upsurge of Germany. For example, after the First World War and Paris peace conference U.S.A. withdrew himself from Europe and returned to her own continent. On the other hand Britain alone was not ready to give a guarantee of security to France. In other words, we can say the carelessness on the part of allied powers encouraged Hitler to challenge the provisions of the treaty of Versailles.
The Second World War could be explained even in context of foreign policy of Mussolini and that of Hitler. As we know Italy was dissatisfied with the treaty of St. Germaine. Mussolini made benefit from this situation and he tried to satisfy ultra nationalist feelings in Italy. So the objectives of foreign policy of Mussolini were
(i) To establish Italy as a prestigious nation in Europe and
to carry imperialist expansion in Balkan region and Africa. That’s why Mussolini
followed an aggressive foreign policy.
(ii) Fuem port was a disputed region between Italy & Yugoslavia. In Paris Peace
conference it was given the status of an independent port. But Mussolini through
concluding a treaty with