In 1919, representatives from France, US, Great Britain, Italy, and Germany gathered together.

The purpose?

Establish peace, end WWI.

From this meeting the Treaty of Versailles was born. An agreement that included ample territorial concessions, and reparations assessed at 132 billion gold marks.

Some said it was too harsh, while others said it was too lenient.

In short, a compromise that left no one satisfied and Germany neither pacified nor permanently weakened.

These cracks in the foundation later led to the Locarno Treaties, seen as a major cause for WWII and resentment in Germany which powered the rise of the Nazi Party.

Peace treaties don’t always lead to peace.

Photo by Marc Thunis on Unsplash.