Did article 231 (the war guilt clause) of the Versailles Treaty ultimately cause World War II? Can it reasonably be argued that Germany was the sole cause of World War I, or should guilt be shared by others? Historians take opposing views on the subject. Historian Derek Aldcroft states that a combination of the flaws present in the postwar Versailles Treaty and the resultant actions and inaction of European statesmen created a climate that paved the way for World War II. On the other side of the issue, Historian Mark Mazower finds that while the Treaty of Versailles contained weaknesses, it failed due to a lack of enforcement of its principles by a generation of European leaders. Choose a side and support your position with facts taken from your research. Look at both sides of this issue. Prepare a case for or against Germany's guilt in WWI.

Did article 231 (the war guilt clause) of the Versailles Treaty ultimately cause World War II? Can it reasonably be argued that Germany was the sole cause of World War I, or should guilt be shared by others? Historians take opposing views on the subject. Historian Derek Aldcroft states that a combination of the flaws present in the postwar Versailles Treaty and the resultant actions and inaction of European statesmen created a climate that paved the way for World War II. On the other side of the issue, Historian Mark Mazower finds that while the Treaty of Versailles contained weaknesses, it failed due to a lack of enforcement of its principles by a generation of European leaders. Choose a side and support your position with facts taken from your research. Look at both sides of this issue. Prepare a case for or against Germany's guilt in WWI.