Treaty of Versailles, which ended WWI, was far from ideal. As we discussed in the segments relating to Woodrow Wilson, the idealistic American idea of getting peace without victory was not realized. The victorious allies demanded revenge and they insisted upon getting war reparations from Germany. Though they got very little in terms of cash, and it did little for their economies, the very fact that these terms existed created deep resentment in Germany. As Germany suffered and seethed at their treatment, the politics of resentment made the nation ready for extreme measures. Hitler would offer them prosperity and their pride; and so, the price would be paid again. The U.S. Senate refused to ratify the treaty and, as you know by now, Wilson wouldn’t compromise. With his health failing, he got locked into an all or nothing battle with Senator Lodge, whom he referred to as the “Devil.” The feeling was mutual. The result was the European system floating along toward the next
