A Perfidious Distortion of History
Jürgen Tampke
(Author)
Description
Controversially challenges the conventional wisdom that the Versailles Peace Treaty sowed the seeds for World War II.
The Versailles Peace Treaty, the pact between Germany and the Allies that ended World War I, has not enjoyed a positive reputation since its signing in June 1919. Conventional wisdom has it that the treaty's requirements for massive reparation payments crippled the economy of the Weimar Republic and destabilized its political life. Ultimately, it is believed, the treaty prevented the seeds of democracy sown in the aftermath of the Great War from flourishing, and drove the German people into the arms of Adolf Hitler.
In this authoritative book, Jurgen Tampke disputes this commonplace view. He argues that Germany got away with its responsibility for World War I and its behavior during it; that the treaty was nowhere near as punitive as has been long felt; that the German hyperinflation of the 1920s was at least partly a deliberate policy to minimize the cost of paying reparations; and that World War II was a continuation of Germany's longstanding war aims.
Product Details
| Publisher | Scribe Us |
| Publish Date | December 12, 2017 |
| Pages | 328 |
| Language | English |
| Type |  Hardback |
| EAN/UPC | 9781925321944 |
| Dimensions | 9.5 X 6.3 X 1.0 inches | 1.3 pounds |
About the Author
Reviews
"In this highly readable account Jurgen Tampke tackles the much-debated and perennially fascinating question of whether the Treaty of Versailles caused the Second World War. He comes down firmly on the No side and produces a wealth of evidence and careful analysis to back his arguments. Anyone who is interested in what remains one of modern history's most important debates will want to read this."
--Margaret MacMillan, author of Paris: 1919
"Gamely confronts the now-prevailing orthodoxy...deserves to be read."
--Roger Moorhouse, The Times
"An intriguing and persuasive account by an experienced historian of the much-maligned Treaty of Versailles. This new book provides a fresh and often provocative account of a tangled story. It should help put to rest the persisting myth about the 1919 peace with Germany."
--Emeritus Professor, David Walker FASSA, FAHA Board Member, Foundation of Australian Studies, China
"A fascinating and well-crafted account of how the peace-treaty of 1919 led to the Second World War--and the reasons may not be the ones you expect."
--Chris Vening
"This is a fascinating and provocative re-assessment of one of the great conventional wisdoms of recent history, made all the more compelling by the Australian-based author's forceful and often witty delivery."
--Eamon Delaney, Irish Independent
"This is an excellent book, which argues it case well. It should be widely read in the lead up to the centenary of the Armistice and peace settlement."
--NZ International Review
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