Last Horrible Triumph Case Study 2

Chamberlain College of Nursing

1. According to the authors of Germany’s complaint, how will various provisions of the treaty hurt Germany’s economy?

Germany was blamed for the destruction and damages caused during world war one. The treaty of Versailles demanded to fulfill the penalty. Germany was not satisfied with the decision of Treaty of Versailles because they were not completely responsible for the damages. Even though, president Wilson mentioned that “no single fact caused the war, but that in last analysis the whole European system is in a deeper sense responsible for the war….” (Comments of the German Delegation to the Paris Peace Conference on the Conditions of Peace, October 1919). Germany was singled out and forced to accept the given penalty. When Treaty took away the power, forces, and resources of Germany, it weakened the country economically because of the endless reparation. Germany had gone into debt and became like a slave to the European country. According to the complaints, Treaty shouldn’t be so harsh on Germans and Germany shouldn’t be forced to stripped off their treasure, railroads, and canals and give away to outside nations and their powers. Germany should have been on the list of League of Nation or, at least, should have been invited to be a member of the League.

2. In Germany’s view, how would the country have been treated differently if the principles they attribute to President Wilson had been applied?

The principle of self-preservation and self-determination is the primary right of every nation which didn’t to apply for Germany. Germany believes that if the President Wilson’s theory have been followed the countries of Europe will be in peace and every nation would have been considered compatible. Germany wouldn’t be under the control of allied and there won’t be Burdon of unlimited rearmament to pay for. Every nation/country can determine their own political acts. If the Treat of Versailles would follow the vision of President Wilson, Germany hadn’t lost their territory, military forces, assets, colonies, and other power. Millions of Germans wouldn’t be separated from their native country and Treaty could allow Germany’s involvement and participation.

3. To what higher “fundamental laws” does the document appeal to in order to strengthen German assertions

In order to strengthen German assertion, the justice of the fundamental law should be practice. It also provides the authority to self-protect the Germany from any harm and destruction as well as, provide the ability to Germany to control its allegiances without any outside or foreign influence. This fundamental law could protect Germany from losing their overseas colonies because of the right to self-determination; however, the Treaty misuse their power and neglect the natural right of inalienable. The document expresses the civil rights, opportunity, and tolerance of the German people.

4. Do you agree with the authors of the document that Germany was being poorly treated? What response to their complaints might defenders of the treaty have made?

Yes, Germany were being poorly and unfairly treated by Treaty. When the World war one occurred, all of the European countries were overwhelm and devastated. Economy conditions were extremely bad, institutions were destroyed and millions of people were dead. Even though Germany was partially responsible for the damages in the war, they didn’t deserve to be broken down in pieces such as Alsace-Lorraine, Memel, and Danzig. They lose their future and their security in their own nation. Germans were dominated and made inferior to the other power of European country. Germany was humiliated and stripped everything away from them which lead to dictatorship. Hitler, the dictator of Germany settled the economic problem and manage the political situation.

Reference

(1919). Comment of the German Delegation to the Paris Peace Conference on the Condition of

Peace. Retrieved from http://college.cengage.com/history/primary_sources/world/conditions_of_peace.htm