Was the Treaty of Versailles too harsh?

In June 1919 the newly elected leaders of the Weimar Republic were forced to agree to the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. Many historians have linked this treaty to both the rise of Hitler and the outbreak of war in September 1939, yet this is still an issue which excites debate on both sides.

Source A Versailles conference armistice talks. Germany was allowed no say in these negotiations

In 1919 Ebert was established as the first democratically elected leader of Germany yet he was associated in the eyes of many Germans as the person who agreed to the harsh terms of the treaty. It is unsurprising that in the early years of the Republic there were many groups keen to overthrow it and establish either left-wing or right-wing governments.

The infamous war guilt clause angered many Germans since it did not take into account how the arms race and the alliance system had increased European tensions. Furthermore, it ensured that reparations could be demanded from this defeated power.