9 Jun 2022

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First World War: German Unfair Treatment

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Academic level: College

Paper type: Case Study

Words: 772

Pages: 3

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After the First World War, the economies of most European countries were immensely affected by the war. Germany’s economy was the most affected due to the sanctions, restrictions, and fines that were imposed on it as a result of the provisions outlined in the Paris Peace Conference. Under the treaty, German rivers were to be controlled by an international body who will give the go-ahead on the construction of railroads and canals (Dockrill, & Fisher, 2001) . This will limit the collection of revenue by Germany as they are restricted the full control of their water bodies. The provision on the right to self-determination also proved futile to the German economy. The separating of almost two and a quarter a million Germans from their country unwillingly deprived Germany its workmanship in their industries thereby affecting its industrial production. The separation of Memel, which was a commercial town in Germany deprived it the much-needed revenue, thereby affecting the country’s economy. Germany’s town of Danzig had its economy controlled from Poland which also affected its economy. Besides this, Germany was ordered to pay a fine of $33billion by a Reparations commission which served a blow to its dwindling economy (Dockrill, & Fisher, 2001) . The German complaints had a basis as the provisions set were harsh and were only meant to hurt the economy of Germany with the adverse consequences they had. 

In the aftermath of the war, President Wilson had good intentions for Europe as he wanted countries to transition peacefully to achieve socio-economic stability. He was of the idea that every country that took part in the war take the same blame to avert any animosity from arising. (Goemans, 2012) . Had the principles outlined been applied, Germany believed it would have been treated differently, and no harsh measures would have been imposed on them as all parties would have been treated equally. Germany believed that had Wilson's principles been applied; their economy would have been saved while at the same time peace would have prevailed thereby averting the Second World War (Dockrill, & Fisher, 2001) . This was so because President Wilson’s principles advocated for countries taking equal responsibility for the war, hence promoting peace and equality. 

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Furthermore, to strengthen German assertions, the higher “fundamental laws” the document appeals were for the justice which the law was to use. Germany felt their rights had been alienated and they had a role and right to self-determination. German also felt it had been denied the right to self-preservation. The same way justice applies to individuals is the same way it would have applied to the states too. This was not taken into account hence it is not without doubt that Germany was unfairly treated (Dockrill, & Fisher, 2001) . Most of the countries in Europe were perplexed by the events that took place after the war. This is illustrated in the high number of death that occurred, the poor living conditions, and the economic depressions of Germany, and majority of European countries. German assertion is strengthened in that, the victors of the war filed to provide a level playing field which would suit all the parties that participate in the war to formulate a peace plan that would not make one party feel aggrieved. Had a clear procedure been followed, the calamities which followed after could be averted thereby preventing the Second World War from taking place. 

It is undeniable that German was unfairly treated by the provisions set in the Treaty of Paris Peace Conference. Although Germany was somehow responsible for destructions in the war, the provisions were only meant to hurt German as its enemies felt German was the aggressor and had to pay for the atrocities that were committed during the first world war. Germany didn’t deserve to lose its territories through cession of Memel and Danzig (Goemans, 2012) . This denied the country a chance to organize itself and create a path that would define its future. The defenders of the treaty could have taken the responsibility of drafting the treaty and executing the treaty as a way of taming and sending a message to nations not to follow German’s path lest they face the same dire consequences that befell Germany. These punishments were some of the reasons why German yearned to get a supreme leader who would lead them to self-determination. Such events are the ones who made the Second World War inevitable. 

Conclusion 

After the end of the First World War, drastic measures were to be undertaken to prevent any war from happening in future. This resulted in the formulation of the Paris Peace Treaty by the victors of the war to set terms for the losers. These terms, later on, came to affect Germany in all spheres of its life, ranging from social, cultural and economic setting. Germany raised complaints as it felt to be unfairly treated. This cannot be disputed as other countries that had taken part in the war evaded the punishment. Such scenarios have been cited to be among the contributing factors to making Second World War inevitable. 

References 

Dockrill, M., & Fisher, J. (2001). The Paris Peace Conference, 1919: Peace Without Victory? . Springer. 

Goemans, H. E. (2012). War and punishment: The causes of war termination and the First World War . Princeton University Press. 

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