Question

According to the authors of germany's complaint, how will various provisions of the treaty hurt germany's economy? in germany's view, how would the country have been treated differently if the principles they attribute to president wilson had been applied? to what higher "fundamental laws" does the document appeal to in order to strengthen german assertions? 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?

Answer 1

Explanation to Question 1

According to the authors of Germany complaint the various provision of the treaty will hurt Germany because it will compel Germany and their allies to take responsibility for the damage caused. At the end of the World War I, the treaty of Versailles was the agreement signed. It was a peace treaty but wasn’t in Germany’s favor. It placed heavy penalty on Germany. Germany was actually not pleased with this treaty because they felt the blame should not be put only on them. The treaty had a negative effect on Germany’s economy, its army size was dropped and some Germany territories were taken from them.

Explanation to Question 2

In Germany’s view, the country would have been treated differently if the principle they attribute to President Wilson had been applied mainly because President Wilson was for peace. In 1919, President Wilson met with Germany delegation and he emphatically stated that the right of each nation is the principle of self-determination and self-preservation. But the right was not applicable to Germany in the Signed Treaty of Versailles. The author felt there would be peace in Europe if the principle was put into consideration and each country was equally granted respect and equality. The principle of self-determination and self-preservation would give each country the liberty to control its affairs without interference from other nations. Germany felt if the principle of President Wilson were applied, its power, colonies, assets, territory and military wouldn’t have been lost.

Explanation to Question 3

The document appeal that the justice of fundamental law must be applied for German assertion to be strengthened. The fundamental laws also provide for the Germany the power to manage and control its allegiance without any interference from outside or foreign power. This law could favor Germany by protecting its interest and oversea colonies mainly due to the principle of self-determination. The document reflects that German people civil right should be adequately protected.

Explanation to Question 4 and 5

I agree in totally that Germany were treated unfairly. During the World War II, the European countries economy was in shambles, millions of people feared dead, and in fact the European countries were devastated. Though Germany contributed partially to the damages during the war but German people shouldn’t have been treated that way. They lost almost everything. Their country was badly dealt with. They lost their power and security. The German people were subjected to different forms of humiliation and this resulted to dictatorship.

KEYWORDS

• principle of self-determination and self-preservation
• world war II
• president wilson
• the treaty of versailles

Answer 2

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

It will force Germany to accept responsibility for all the damages caused by the Germans and everyone linked with them. An agreement was made to sign the Versailles treaty which was a peace treaty at the end of WW1. It demanded the Germans to accept full responsibility for the war and all its specific punishments towards the Germans. This in turn did not go well with the Germans and ended up damaging the whole country. The punishments involved dropping the size of the German army, taking away territories of Germany and forcing the country to pay compensation. Basically, this treaty was to shutter Germany’s economy.

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

President Wilson wanted peace and for everyone to move on and accept equal blame. Wilson had every intention to make this happen but these plans to constantly opposed Wilson’s hope for peace. His view was that with peace and equal rights, the economies would all recover.

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

The right to self-determination was among the greatest right. The Germans felt that by being deprived off of their right, the wishes of all the people were being taken away. An appeal, according to the author in the document stated that the fundamental laws of right should become part of the law.
An example of this according to the author was that Germany could have had a say in the decision to accept the blame for war or not but instead, its people do not get a say on who is to blame.


4. Do you agree with the authors of the document that Germany was being poorly treated?

Yes, Germany was being mistreated. They were being poorly treated because what belonged to one nation did not belong to them. It took all the blame for everyone’s mistake and not getting a chance to join the League of Nations. They were being treated as if they were ones who started the war.
5. What response to their complaints might defenders of the treaty have made? However much Germany was involved for the damages in the war, they did not deserve to be broken into pieces. President Wilson was the exception and he tried as much as he could to stave off the problems. He came up with a plan for peace in Europe by Europe ignored this and decided to disarm Germany.