Peace That Started A World War

The Treaty of Versailles didn’t just end World War I—it helped shape the conditions that led to World War II. In this documentary, we examine how the Treaty of Versailles was written, why Germany was excluded from the negotiations, and how the peace conference at Paris became one of the most consequential diplomatic failures in modern history. From the dramatic confrontation in the Hall of Mirrors to the infamous War Guilt Clause, massive reparations, territorial losses, military restrictions, and the political instability that followed, this episode traces the events that transformed Europe after 1919. You’ll also discover why economist John Maynard Keynes condemned the treaty, how the “stab-in-the-back” myth took hold in Germany, and why Marshal Ferdinand Foch famously warned that the treaty was “an armistice for twenty years.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rejil.substack.com