How justifiable was the Treaty of Versailles?

• Justifiable:

  Economic:

  > It was normal for the losers of a war to agree to harsh terms. When Russia had withdrawn from the First World War in 1917, Germany made them sign the Treaty of Brest Litovsk, which took away more than a quarter of Russia’s farmland and population. Many said that

  this was evidence if Germany had won they would have treated the Allies even more harshly.
• Justifiable:

  War and Violence:

  > The Treaty of Versailles was signed at the end of the most devastating war that the world had seen. It was only right that the losing countries should pay for the damage.
• Unjustifiable:

  Economic:

  > The reparation payments (£6.6 billion) would cripple the German economy. When Germany was unable to meet the payments, the French occupied the Ruhr and the hyperinflation crisis unfolded.
• Unjustifiable:

  Economic:

  > Germany lost 13% of its land. German families were forced off land they had owned for generations as it was claimed by other countries under the terms of the treaty.