Library Guides: Towards WWII: Treaty of Versailles

Source: Britannica

The Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty that signalled the end of World War I. It outlined the conditions of German surrender, which included significant reparations, and it has often been credited with playing a significant role in the rise of Nazism in Germany.

Jun 28, 1919 CE: Treaty of Versailles (National Geographic, n.d.)
On June 28, 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed at the Palace of Versailles outside Paris, France. The treaty was one of several that officially ended five years of conflict known as World War I. The Treaty of Versailles outlined the conditions of peace between Germany and the victorious Allies, led by the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. Other Central Powers (significantly, Austria-Hungary) signed different treaties with the Allies. Read through this article to learn more.
The Treaty of Versailles, 1919 (Chateau de Versailles, n.d.)
After four years of devastating fighting, the First World War came to an end in 1919 in Versailles. The treaty, which represented “peace” for some and a “diktat” for others, also sowed the seeds of the Second World War, which would break out twenty years later. Read through this website to learn more.
The Treaty of Versailles (National Archives, n.d.)
The terms of the Treaty of Versailles were announced in June 1919. The German politicians were not consulted about the terms of the Treaty. They were shown the draft terms in May 1919. They complained bitterly, but the Allies did not take any notice of their complaints. Germany had very little choice but to sign the Treaty. Read through this website to learn more about the Treaty of Versailles and how it impacted foreign relations between the European powers.
Versailles Treaty (National Museum of Australia, n.d.)
At 11am on 11 November 1918 the Armistice ending the First World War came into effect. After four years of fighting, Germany and its allies were defeated. Tens of millions of people had been killed or maimed. Two months later, delegates of the Western Allies convened in Paris to determine the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, the effects of which are still being felt today. Read through this website to learn more about the Treaty and Australia's role in it.
Treaty of Versailles (Australian War Memorial, n.d.)
The Treaty of Versailles was one of five treaties formulated at the Paris Peace Conference as part of the peace negotiations at the end of the First World War. The Treaty of Versailles related to establishing the conditions of peace with Germany. Read through this website to learn more.
The signing of the Treaty of Versailles (Parliament of Australia, 2019, July 4)
This article looks at not only what the Treaty of Versailles is, but also how it impacted foreign relations and influenced tensions that eventually led to Word War II.
The Treaty of Versailles (Lumen Learning, n.d.)
This website has a great in-depth analysis of the Treaty of Versailles and reactions to it across the world (with a particular focus on the U.S. response), and includes a key summary points section for quick reference. It also includes photos and political cartoons of the era.

Treaty of Versailles

Click this link to read through the full contents of the Peace Treaty of Versailles, signed on 28 June 1919 by Germany and the Allied powers at the Palace of Versailles. A sizeable document, the treaty featured some 440 Articles, with the addition of numerous Annexes.

Treaty of Versailles 1919 (including Covenant of the League of Nations)

This was the first political treaty signed by Australian officials, and the first negotiated with direct participation by Australian government delegates. This was a major step in the recognition of Australia as an independent entity in international law.

At the time, treaties were regarded as either 'political' (mainly concerning relations between governments) or 'commercial' (mostly concerning the treatment of private persons or interests, particularly as regards business). Prior to 1919 the Australian Government was frequently not even consulted regarding political treaties, which were signed by Britain for its Dominions.

With the other three British Dominions, Australia was among the 32 signatories of the Treaty, and a founding member of the League of Nations it established. This newly defined status is indicated in the list of nations on page 18 of the Treaty, where the names of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa are indented under the 'British Empire'. The Treaty recognised a new status for these nations among all the colonies of Great Britain, as only fully self-governing nations could be members of the League of Nations.

The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.), 28 June 1919. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.

A newspaper article discussing the signing of the treaty.

Experiences of the Great War 1914-1918 by Susan Johnston
Publication Date: 1990
Provides students with a wide selection of documents and photographs. Through this material students will see into the experiences of the men and women who lived and died during that war.
The first world war by Joyce Swinton
Publication Date: 1995
Europeans ruled the world in 1901. By 1918, all their systems of power and privilege had been transformed by a war which had lasted four years, killed nearly 9 million, wounded 20 million, and turned much of the European countryside to wasteland. A|comprehensive account is presented of the major aspects of this battle. Beginning with a simple explanation of the causes of conflict and concluding with chapters on the reasons for Germany's defeat and the Treaty of Versailles. Special attention is given to the human side of the conflict, in particular the trench warfare, the Western Front and the home fronts of Great Britain, Germany and Australia.
World at War 1914-1939 by Duncan Hill
Publication Date: 2011
The many conflicts that took place around the globe between 1914 and 1939 showed that diplomacy was all too often incapable of arresting military and political ambition, and that the notion of collective security was just a noble idea. This book uses contemporaneous reports and photographs from the Daily Mail archives, including many eyewitness accounts, to show how conflicts of that period developed, describing key battles, tactical decisions and turning points that settled the outcome.

Towards WWII: Treaty of Versailles

Treaty of Versailles

Treaty of Versailles 1919 (including Covenant of the League of Nations)

The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.), 28 June 1919. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.

German Peace Delegation at Versailles, France

Boundaries of Germany Under Terms of Treaty

Demonstrations in Berlin Against Treaty Terms