Although the Treaty of Versailles formally ended WWI on June 28, 1919. it was controversial even during its time as many did not believe it would lead to lasting piece. Among the critics was John Keynes who was part of the British delegation, but resigned from his position during the Versailles Peace Conference in protest of this treaty. This was due to his belief that the treaty was short-sighted and would only lead to trouble farther down the line. Although mocked at the time, his words would prove prophetic.
John Keynes Warning on the Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was signed at the end of World War I, to establish peace but also to punish Germany. After four years of war and destruction, many powers were exhausted and wanted to prevent another war. For that reason, many groups like France wanted to ensure that Germany would never have the potential to threaten the balance of power.
As a result, the Treaty of Versailles aimed at taking large parts of Germany and severely restricted its military. Perhaps the most damning requirement was paying a massive reparation to the Allies which caused a huge strain on the German economy. This was a big part of what led to hyperinflation and economic hardship within the country.
Because of that, some people believed that this treaty would create problems. Among them was John Keynes, a British economist and part of the British delegation in the treaty signing. John Keynes was worried that the treaty would be too harsh and would only lead to instability. Rather than fostering peace, the terms would instead encourage resentment against the victorious powers.
John Keynes instead suggested that the Allies should help Germany rebuild and turn it into an ally. These ideas were rejected immediately, much to his frustration. This anger would culminate in his resignation from the British delegation and publishing his book “The Economic Consequences of the Peace” where he warned that this treaty would only cause more problems.
Before resigning, Keynes wrote a famous letter to British Prime Minister David Lloyd George on June 5, 1919, explaining his reasons for stepping down.
“I can do no more good here. I’ve always worked for a just and well-considered peace, and I deeply regret that the settlement, in its current form, is neither fair nor wise. It is now evident that the economic clauses of the Treaty are outrageous and impossible, which could leave Europe in economic chaos for decades to come.”
“The fundamental injustice of the financial terms imposed upon Germany is morally wrong, and I cannot in good conscience continue to be part of a process that I believe will sow the seeds of future conflict rather than ensuring a lasting peace.”
-John Keynes, British Economist.
It seems like the ending of WWI was just as chaotic as the start of the war as similar letters like Austria-Hungary’s Ultimatum which began the war.
All of that began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the ensuing chaos.
But despite the chaos at the start of the war, there were efforts to prevent it by leaders.
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