Why didn’t the treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations create a “lasting peace”?

The Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations, established after World War I, aimed to bring stability and prevent future conflicts. However, several factors contributed to their inability to create lasting peace:

1. Harsh Terms of the Treaty of Versailles: The treaty imposed heavy reparations on Germany, stripped it of territories and placed full blame for the war on Germany. These punitive measures created resentment and economic hardship in Germany, fostering conditions that led to the rise of extremism and, ultimately, World War II.
2. Failure to Address Underlying Issues: The treaty failed to address the underlying geopolitical and economic issues that fueled tensions in Europe. Nationalistic aspirations, unresolved territorial disputes and economic instability in various countries persisted, creating fertile ground for future conflicts.
3. Weaknesses of the League of Nations: The League of Nations, envisioned as a collective security organization, lacked effective enforcement mechanisms. Major powers like the United States, despite being a key advocate for its creation, didn't join, weakening its global influence. Additionally, the League's inability to swiftly and decisively address conflicts such as the Manchurian and Abyssinian crises undermined its credibility.
4. Rising Totalitarianism: The interwar period saw the rise of totalitarian regimes in various countries, such as Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. These regimes disregarded international norms, expanded aggressively, and pursued expansionist policies, leading to heightened tensions and eventual conflict.
5. Economic Instability: The Great Depression of the 1930s exacerbated economic hardships worldwide, leading to increased social unrest and political instability, which further fueled the conditions for conflict.

In essence, the punitive nature of the Treaty of Versailles the failure of the League of Nations to prevent aggression effectively, underlying geopolitical tensions, and the rise of totalitarian regimes collectively contributed to the failure in creating a lasting peace after World War I.