Free Sample Essays > European History
Which reason is most important to why Hitler rose to power?
Hitler rose to power because of a combination of factors. Some were deep rooted and some were triggers. When asked which reason is more important each factor can be debated for the relative importance. In the end each factor has a relationship to next one and they all interlink.
The Treaty of Versailles was a real problem in German society. The Germans disliked it for many reasons such as guilt for the war. This was simple but harsh. Germany had to agree that it was Guilty of starting the war. The size of the German army scared the Allies but especially France. The treaty then cut the German armed forces to a level way below what they were before.
Germany had all of their army and resources taken away from them.
They were only allowed:
¨ 100,000 men
¨ No submarines
¨ No air crafts
¨ No tanks
¨ 6 battle ships
¨ Conscription banned
¨ Rhine land demilitarized
They did this because France was worried they would attack them and Germany was upset because they were proud of having an army.
The allies agreed that Germany had to pay compensation to France, Belgium and Britain for the damage they had caused in the war. These payments were called Reparations. They were supposed to help the damaged countries rebuild after the war. The exact figure finally set in 1921 was £6,000 million, which was an enormous amount. If the terms of the treaty had not been changed, Germany would not of finished paying reparation until 1984.
The allies agreed that lands and territories in Europe would rearranged, and that Germany was going to lose out.
Germanys borders were very extensive, and the section dealing with territories was complicated part of the treaty
Territory From German control to: Other points
Alsace Lorraine France -
Eupen, Moresnet, Melmedy Belgium -
North Schleswig Denmark After a vote
West Prussia and Posen Poland Free city controlled by League, to give Poland a port
Danzig League of Nations -
Memel Lithuania -
Saar Coalfields France A plebiscite would be held after 15 years
German Colonies France and Britain under League mandates -
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania Became independent states Germany had taken these state from Russia in 1918
Previous methods of keeping peace had failed so the League of Nations was set up as an international police force. The League was based on a convent or an agreement. Germany was not invited to join the League until it had shown [next page]