The Treaty of Versailles comes into force

On 10 January 1920 the Treaty of Versailles comes into force, formally ending World War I. The Allies were not able to compromise among themselves. Wilson’s 14 points were side-lined and Germany had been given a diktat – sign or go to war again. Germany signed on 28 June the year before in Versailles.

The consequences are dramatic, Germany lose territory and colonies, is forced to pay huge war-reparations, is partly demilitarized and given the blame for the war. Protests follow in Germany, and over the years the Allied also come to see the treaty in a different light – it is altered and revised.

But the anger in Germany lingers on, and less than 20 years later war resumes, partly as a result of the peace process. The lessons were learned after that war, and Europe has stabilized.

Map showing territorial losses for Germany as a result of the Treaty of Versailles.

Dr. Johannes Bell signs the Treaty of Versailles for Germany.        

The signing of the treaty in the Hall of at Mirrors at Versailles with the various Allied delegations on 28 June 1919.

Sources and more information

http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/626485/Treaty-of-Versailles

http://snl.no/Versailles-traktaten

I am open to your comments and proposals.

Regards

Bjarte Bjørsvik