# Carthaginian Peace in The Economic Consequences of the Peace

> Theme guide for The Economic Consequences of the Peace by John Maynard Keynes.

The book condemns the Treaty of Versailles as a 'Carthaginian Peace'—a punitive settlement designed to crush and humiliate Germany through excessive reparations and territorial losses, which Keynes predicts will lead to economic collapse and future conflict.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Economic Consequences of the Peace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/the-economic-consequences-of-the-peace): The treaty's punitive terms aimed at crippling Germany, mirroring ancient Carthage's destruction.
- [I: Introductory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/i-introductory): The peace is described as risking completion of the ruin Germany began, impairing the delicate European organization instead of restoring it.
- [III: The Conference](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/iii-the-conference): Clemenceau's policy aimed at a punitive settlement to crush Germany's economic and military power, ensuring French security at the expense of European stability.
- [IV: The Treaty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/iv-the-treaty): Keynes contrasts the Fourteen Points with Clemenceau's Carthaginian Peace, which aimed to permanently cripple Germany through punitive economic and territorial measures.
- [V: Reparation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/v-reparation): Clemenceau's aim to weaken Germany permanently, overriding financial feasibility.
- [Undertakings Given Prior to the Peace Negotiations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/i-undertakings-given-prior-to-the-peace-negotiations): The chapter implies that excessive reparation demands, as advocated by Clemenceau and others, would lead to a punitive peace that destroys Germany.
- [The Conference and the Terms of the Treaty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/ii-the-conference-and-the-terms-of-the-treaty): Clemenceau's policy aimed at weakening and destroying Germany, incompatible with a workable reparation scheme.
- [The Reparation Commission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/iv-the-reparation-commission): The Commission is portrayed as an instrument of oppression and rapine, consistent with the idea of a punitive peace that destroys Germany rather than reconstructing Europe.
- [V: The German Counterproposals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/v-the-german-counterproposals): The chapter condemns the policy of reducing Germany to servitude, which Keynes describes as abhorrent and detestable, even if possible.
- [VII: Remedies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/vii-remedies): The chapter implies that the Treaty of Versailles is a Carthaginian peace that must be revised to prevent Europe's ruin.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/themes/carthaginian_peace
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/themes