Silas Cox How Did WWl Lead to WWll Many do not know the cause of WWll, or the fact that it WWl lead to WWll. One of the more direct causes is The Treaty of
Versailles. It the pride of Germany and the ignorance of the Nazi party and the arrogance of the Allies greatly influenced WWll as well. This history lesson will teach you that one thing can change the world. Whether it will be good or bad. Also will show how America was brought into this royale. The main way in which the Treaty of Versailles led to World War 2 was by making Germany feel strongly towards revenge. The peace settlement also made Italy angry, but this was not nearly as relevant in causing WW2. After WW1 the Treaty of
Versailles imposed on Germany. It stated
Germany had to admit full responsibility for starting the war. This was Clause 231 ­ the notorious "War Guilt Clause". 2. Germany, as she was responsible for starting the war as stated in clause 231, was, therefore responsible for all the war damage caused by the First World War. Therefore, she had to pay compensation, the bulk of which would go to France and Belgium to pay for the damage done to the foundation of both countries by the war. Quite literally, reparations would be used to pay for the damage to be repaired. Payment could be in kind or cash.
The figure was not set at Versailles ­ it was to be determined later. The Germans were told to write a blank check which the Allies would cash when it suited them. The figure

was eventually put at £6,600 million ­ a huge sum of money well beyond Germany’s ability to pay. After agreeing to the Armistice in November 1918, the Germans had been convinced that they would be consulted by the Allies on the contents of the Treaty. This did not happen and the Germans were in no position to continue the war as her army had all but disbanded. Though this lack of consultation made them mad, there was nothing they could do about it. Therefore, the first time that the German representatives saw the terms of the Treaty was just weeks before they were due to sign it in the Hall of
Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles on June 28th 1919.
There was anger throughout Germany when the terms were made public. The Treaty became known as a Diktat ­ as it was being forced on them and the Germans had no choice but to sign it. Many in Germany did not want the Treaty signed, but the representatives there knew that they had no choice as Germany was incapable of restarting the war again. In one last gesture of defiance, they captured a German naval force held at Scapa Flow scuttled itself.
Germany was given two choices: sign the
Treaty, or be invaded by the Allies.
When war broke out in Europe in September 1939, President Franklin D.
Roosevelt stated that while the United States would remain neutral, he could “not ask that every American remain neutral in thought as well.” Roosevelt himself made many efforts to help nations engaged in the struggle against Nazi Germany and wanted to extend a helping hand to those countries that lacked the supplies necessary to fight against the Germans. The United Kingdom, in particular, desperately needed help, as it

was short of money to pay for the military goods, food, and raw materials it needed from the United States.

Though President Roosevelt wanted to provide assistance to the British, both law and public fears that the United States would be drawn into the conflict blocked his plans. The Neutrality Act of 1939 allowed belligerents to purchase war materiel from the
United States, but only on a “cash and carry” basis. The Johnson Act of 1934 also prohibited the extension of credit to countries that had not repaid U.S. loans made to them during World War I which included Great Britain. The American military opposed the diversion of military supplies to the United Kingdom.

The Army’s Chief of Staff, General George C. Marshall, anticipated