Versailles: The Allies' "Last Horrible Triumph."

Question 1 

Germany with its allies has been accused of causing major destructions to their subjects or enemy countries during the World War I. From such accusations, the author of Germany’s complaints expressed various concerns regarding its economic status as per the provisions of the treaty. The treaty proposed that Germany should compensate the destructions experienced by the enemy countries in the course of World War I. Such compensations are not specified, and Germany might be rendered bankrupt after paying the condensations due to extensive destructions experienced in different countries ( Tillman, 2015 ). Additionally, the people and organization entrusted to determine and assess the compensations to be paid by Germany were from the affected countries without representation from Germany. Lack of representation of Germany in the committee determining the compensation to be paid will greatly affect Germany’s economy. Most of the members of the committee come from the affected countries, and they might decide to punish Germany and its allies regarding their actions during the World War I by exaggerating the amount of compensation to be paid. Additionally, Germany will not have a chance to defend itself regarding the compensation decided by the committee and its economy will be affected negatively. 

Question 2 

Germany would have been treated differently if the principles attributed to President Wilson had been applied. Germany would have been allowed to have a representative on the committee who decided on the compensation to be paid to the affected countries. Such representation would enable Germany to present their side of to the committee regarding the compensation; they would end up reducing the amount paid to the affected countries. Reduction in the compensation paid would have salvaged the economic status of Germany, as it would continue being operations in various sectors like industries and trade ( Tillman, 2015 ). Additionally, Germany was not allowed to express their right of self-determination regarding the inhabitants of the country. Some of their territories and boundaries were torn away without the will of Germany and its citizens. For example, about one-half million Germans were removed from their native land without their will due to demarcation and boundary problems, which were decided by foreigners without involving Germany. 

Question 3 

The appeal document presented by Germany raised concerns regarding the higher fundamental laws at strengthening German assertions regarding the compensations and a chance for self-determination. In the case of compensation to the affected countries during the World War I, there was a lack of incontestable law based on the determination of some compensations paid by Germany. Germany raised its concerns through the appeal document presented to the responsible individuals and authorities ( Tillman, 2015 ). The compensations were decided by the committee from the affected countries without specific law to base their determinations. Germany wanted the establishment of a specific law, which would help in the process of determining the compensation to the affected countries. Germany felt that lack of incontestable law was disadvantageous to them as they were responsible for paying the compensations. Additionally, the boundaries and demarcations, which affected Germany and its citizens, were based on ant law. Germany wanted such laws to be established before taking such action. 

Question 4 

I agree with the position of the author that Germany was treated poorly both in the compensation process and determination of boundaries. During the compensation process, Germany was not allowed to have a representative on the committee to determine the compensation that Germany would pay. Additionally, there was not specific law regarding the compensation of the affected countries was established to help in the whole process of compensating the affected countries ( Tillman, 2015 ). Moreover, Germany was not allowed to express self-determination in the process of demarcation of boundaries and its citizens were torn way from their native land. Defenders of the treaty expressed their concerns that Germany was responsible for the damages experienced in different countries during the World War I. Therefore, it was unfair for it to be represented in the committee determination the compensation paid to them. 

Reference 

Tillman, S. P. (2015). Anglo-American Relations at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919 . Princeton University Press.