![]() The claimed injustices of the treaty and the economic problems, as well as the "Stab in the Back Myth" that denied the absolute nature of Germany's military defeat in 1918, were factors in Adolf Hitler's rise to power. Although Germany was able to temporarily recover somewhat with the help of loans from the United States of America during the Roaring Twenties, the onset of the Great Depression in 1929 led to the withdrawal of American investment, resulting in a severe financial crisis, and many years of hardship for the German people much worsened by the deflationary austerity politics of the Brüning government (1930-1932). The treaty added insult to injury by forcing Germany to accept sole responsibility for the war the "guilt clause", as it became known, caused great resentment and anger among Germans, especially veterans. French marshal Ferdinand Foch at the Versailles peace conference, 28 June 1919īackground The Signing of Peace in the Hall of Mirrors by Irish painter William OrpenĪfter World War I, the Treaty of Versailles required Germany to give up its colonial empire, to cede parts of its territory to neighboring countries, to recognise the independence of Austria and to pay reparations which were seen by most Germans as crippling its economy. The European theatre included North Africa see World War II in Africa. The war was by far the most destructive conflict in European history in terms of loss of human lives as well as historic architecture. ![]() ![]() ![]() World War II or the Second World War took place over many continents: while the Pacific War took place in Asia and Oceania, the European theatre saw combat from September 1939 to May 1945. ![]()
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