Question about World War One?

Question:There is a question that asks in my textbook:

Why might the European Allies have been more interested in punishing Germany than in creating a lasting peace?

I'm really confused... the allies could've rebuild peace so no WOrld War 2.....

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: There is a question that asks in my textbook:

Why might the European Allies have been more interested in punishing Germany than in creating a lasting peace?

I'm really confused... the allies could've rebuild peace so no WOrld War 2.....

They wanted to punish Germany because most European Allies such as Great Britain and France wanted money from Germany in order to better their economy. After all, Great Britain was nearly bankrupt, they spent about 50 billion dollars during world war I. I am not so sure I am understanding the whole "the allies could've rebuild peace so no WOrld War 2....." I mean, its not like the Allies could have simply said "lets just pretend this never happened." Many of them (Italy for example) wanted land. Others needed to get money after the war because the fact that they waged total war left them bankrupt, also, a whole generation of people had been lost during the Great War so yea... I mean the only person that did not want Germany to be severely punished was President Wilson, but there was nothing he could do for even here in the states, many opposed his Fourteen Points...

After all Germany did to them, why should they say lets forget it plus if they created peace with the Germans, the Germans could have easily back stabbed them

the way i understand it it was the french who wanted revenge.

Germany was not given the chance to ask for things in the treaty. It was all done by the allies.

I think Germany was terrible treated by the end of the war. it wasnt even their fault. they were just held responsible because most of their allies no longer were the same as they had been