Truth be told, had it not been for the obstinance and vindictiveness of France at the treaty of Versailles after WWI, there probably wouldn't have been a WWII. France was vindictive over their loss to Germany during the Franco/Prussian war where France was rolled up like a piece of pastry. France, England and a few other European countries were doing everything they could to keep Germany from becoming united. Until after the Franco/Prussian war, "Germany" was a patchwork of Prussia, Austria, duchies and city states. There was no Germany as we think of it. Kinda like the US, they had to defeat a foreign power to become a nation...and they fought among themselves at its forming as much as the colonies did at the forming of the US.
Wilson wasn't a great help either.
Germany didn't start WWI. That distinction would belong to Austria & Serbia. At Versailles, France insisted Germany be held completely responsible AND pay for the entire conflict, which they ultimately did. Germany was not allowed at the negotiation table and had a treaty shoved in their face and told, 'sign it or else'. They made the last payment to the US in I believe either the 1980's 0r 90's.
At that time, 1914, Europe was a patchwork of treaties that once the conflict began, they fell like dominoes. I have an excellent book titled "The War That
Ended Peace" and recommend it highly.
That they were/are the greatest generation is indisputable. They not only defeated fascism and the empire of Japan, they won out over the Great Depression in spite of the US leadership.
Last edited by sharps4590; 06/11/25 04:51 PM.
