The Treaty of Versailles, Explained [AP Euro Review—Unit 8 Topic 4]

AP HEIMLER REVIEW GUIDE (formerly known as the Ultimate Review Packet):

Tiktok: @steveheimler
Instagram: @heimlers_history

In this video Heimler explains what you need to know about Unit 8 Topic 4 (8.4) of the AP European History curriculum which is all about the Versailles Conference and the peace treaty that ended World War I. Because of Britain and France's desire to punish Germany for the war, this peace settlement became a catalyst for yet another world war.

[calebmeyerhoff]

Im not in high school anymore, Im at a music school, still watch these anyway lmao

[Luvumadi]

This came in the perfect moment omg… my teacher just posted a pov assignment about the treaty!! Im no longer confused! Thank you!!!

[AvailableOrder]

safe to say that after the battle of verdun any chance for the germans to win quickly was ver-done.

[Rico-Suave_]

Great video, thank you very much, note to self(nts) watched all in it 5:10

[ralphbernhard]

The long shadow of the Treaty of Versailles:
*Versailles was the "divide and rule" of and over continental Europeans, by outsiders of course. Everything following in its wake, was the EFFECT. Like it or not, reality does not care what any individual thinks.* At Versailles, the people of Europe were "divided" with a "ruling." Such a "divide and rule"-strategy on the "dark side, " lay the foundation of problems which have a clear causal chain of political problems leading right through to WW2, and even right through to today. The Treaty of Versailles was done for own gain after WW1 (obviously, weakening Central Europe by "carving it up, " indirectly resulted in gaining more own strength/ *more POWER for the dividers, by subtracting power from those systems being divided).* The dividing powers were obviously wrong, because to an overwhelming extent, nobody bothered asking the people so divided what political future they wanted for themselves by means of referenda/plebiscites (overwhelmingly NOT carried out in those regions where it really mattered). Obviously also a BIG wrong, because by that time the leaders already knew what "dark divide and rule" might/could lead to in some possible future...

Empires use and abuse human beings as...
- walls and barriers
- as proxies for the own gain
- as tools (instruments of power)
- as potential "staging areas" for future own use
- as "extensions" of the own power (or increased "reach" for the imperialist power)

Imperialist arguing about the price tag for such services rendered. During the 1930s, the imperialists in Berlin, and the imperialists in London haggled about what should be considered a fair price in order for Germany to balance out the rise of the Soviet Union after the successful implementation of Moscow's 5-Year Plans, leading to a rapid steep rise of Soviet industrial- and military power during the 1930s, which threatened British rule over South Asia (see the history of the Second Tournament of Shadows (the rekindled "Great Game" of the 19th Century). Notice that such "haggling" can take place without a single direct meeting. Or, it can be explained by looking at actual events.

It is in fact revealed by reality, created by the events.
Place the EVENTS first.
*So...first on the price tag list: a nice big navy...check.*
A little piece of Germany back...check.
A tiny sliver of Czechoslovakia...check.
A nice little increase of political and military WEIGHT.
(Based on a famous song from "To be or not to be" by Mel Brooks, 1984)

If German taxpayers were going to pay the taxes, and work to "man the parapets" of the limitrophe, to balance out Russia on the other side of the WALL, there was going to be "price tag." Like it or not.
Europe wanted it that way and implemented this geopolitically with the Treaty of Versailles.
In the 1930s, Europe then GOT what it wanted, and what had been set up.
Cause.
Effect.
Simple.



"In 1980, I heard Ralph Raico give a series of lectures at Dartmouth College on World War I. At the time, I thought how great it would be to have those lectures published. I am extremely happy that this second edition provides the student of liberty with Ralph's ideas and the research evidenced by his extensive footnotes. His article on World War I is the best, most concise statement regarding the real causes and effects — the costs—of World War I that I have seen. The title of his article, "World War I: The Turning Point" indicates that World War I, which culminated in the horrible Treaty of Versailles, constituted the turning point for all of Western civilization. It set the stage for wars throughout the remainder of the 20th century, and virtually assured that another war would occur in Europe ..." From "The Costs of War" : America's Pyrrhic Victories / edited with an introduction by John V. Denson. — 2nd expanded ed.
Set the stage.
Lay the foundation.
Fail.

*If you have the GEOGRAPHICAL ADVANTAGE of being on the own "side" on the rim of the world, faraway from what one has lain the foundation for, then one simply does not have to care what happens in some or other foreseeable future. The own side can benefit from whatever happens...*
As long as Europeans are dumb enough to believe faraway empires are there to protect them, and can't grasp HOW *they* are being mis/used to protect the bigger empire, then Europeans will have to keep on suffering.

[reeb]

Er fiel im Oktober 1918, an einem Tag, der so ruhig und still war an der ganzen Front, dass der Heeresbericht sich nur auf den Satz beschränkte, im Westen sei nichts Neues zu melden.