The Treaty of Versailles: 100 Years Later

The Treaty of Versailles was signed in June 1919. Did the treaty lead to the outbreak of World War II? Was the attempt to creat a new world order a failure?

A lecture by Margaret MacMillan, University of Toronto
04 June 2019 6pm (UK time)

A century has passed since the Treaty of Versailles was signed on 28 June 1919. After WWI the treaty imposed peace terms which have remained the subject of controversy ever since. It also attempted to set up a new international order to ensure that there would never again be such a destructive war as that of 1914-18. Professor MacMillan, a specialist in British imperial history and the international history of the 19th and 20th centuries, will consider if the treaty led to the outbreak of the Second World War and whether the attempt to create a new world order was a failure.

[joeyk]

I could listen to her all day and not be bored!

[blocklit]

Another brilliant talk from this outstanding historian. She has this uncanny ability to explain complicated matters in such a way that anyone can understand. Remarkable.

[imsosmart]

Who ever knows or thinks about all these consequences of War and the aftermath?? I learned so much in this lecture! Prior to it, I watched Paris 1919, a movie on YouTube. The lecture dovetailed nicely!

[TheRealAndreasBartel]

The Germans didn’t declare war on France in 1870; Bismarck provoked the French to do so - but finally France declared war on Germany. Napoleon III was defeated, but the new rulers wanted to continue to fight.
By the way, France continuously invaded German territory; Louis XIV. started in 1688, Napoleon…
70/71 was the first time Germany out of defeat brought down France.

[greggross]

I’m glad she mentioned Japan, which saw itself dismissed and disrespected at Versailles. This led directly to the rise of strident militarism in Japanese politics, the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, and ultimately the Pacific war.

[Christian-quzi]

History is not a single pre-determined road which you cannot leave, so far I agree. What doomed the Versailles treaty though was the fact that all wonderful new principles declared by the Allies for the time after the war were not to be granted for the defeated. Self determination for all people - except Germans. German-speaking Austria could not unite with Germany despite having lost all economic means to survive as a separate state. The Sudetenland with its majority of Germans in the population had to be part of Czech-Slovakia because it contributed a lot of industry (70%) which this new state desparately needed. The Germans in Southern Tirol and their entire country were moved to Italy because this was one of the few promises made by the British to the Italians as payment for joining the war which was not broken. A system without any form of justice and a house so divided is not supposed to stay. This is exactly what happened.

[conors]

This was really good. I’m a big student of both world wars and there was some stuff in here I had never heard or considered. Thank you

[philipfontaine]

Read her book Paris 1919 and this is a great synthesis. Great historian and presenter. Thank you for putting this video up

[Mrchky]

Great lecture. History is always more complicated than we have been taught in grammar school.

[meibing]

Having participated in peace talks myself I can only say that hindsight is wonderful. The key problem was not that Europe was complex, it was that no-one on the winning side had lasting European peace as their main objective during the talks - except maybe Wilson who however was out of touch with reality. This was also the main objection of Keynes btw. You can agree or disagree with his analysis of what it would take to make a lasting peace, but he was 100% right to point out that the negotiators of the Treaty had - and put - other priorities than lasting peace first - and that was the ultimate failure of Versailles.

[tomburton]

What an outstanding and excellent lecture!

[ajknaup]

An oft forgotten point of the Treaty is that Germany signed under extraordinary distress: even after the armistice the British blockade was in place. German citizens were starving by the 10's of thousands. & we are surprised that the Treaty failed?

[RobRoyBoaz]

Love her to bits. My absolute favourite historian. Never a bad presentation. Her books are a treat as well.

[pablopeter]

Great presentation. As an Austro-Hungarian descendant I would like to thank your very much. Greetings from Mexico City.

[davidlally]

Mm one aspect of the Versaille negotiations was the then attempt by Irish nationalists to get a hearing. But the victorious UK wouldnt recognise their requests. Thus the 1919 post WW1 UK General Election, bringing a majority of Sinn Fein MPs into being (from the island), led to the then resultant 1919- 1921 Anglo Irish independence war and Irish partition.

[shauncavanagh]

nice to hear someone speak about this with a critical mind.

[gregusmc]

I like the fact that she explores different ideas however, I think on this topic, she should start with a disclaimer: “David Lloyd George was my great grandfather.” As a historian myself, I have to be aware of the fact that I have my own biases, and I need to ask myself if it’s POSSIBLE that my personal biases are coloring my own work? 🤔🤷🏻

[SMWBraden]

Professor MacMillan is amazing. This was a fascinating lecture. Thank you.

[mohamadkebbewar]

Very eloquent and timely. I write these words from Aleppo—a place that still suffers from the failure of the international community.

[gr]

Wish Margaret had been my history teacher 50 years ago. Wonderful presentation thank you.