“On the Century of Peacemaking at the 1919 Treaty of Versailles: Looking Back to Look Ahead” Article
Authors: Bharat H. Desai and Jay B. Desai
Summary
The authors analyze the conditions under which the Treaty of Versailles was signed and the outcomes all involved parties had to face at the end of the 1910s. Peacemaking usually has its price, and each country wants to achieve specific benefits under the current circumstances. The Treaty of Versailles promoted a global order at the international level, focusing on social justice, the importance of peace, and happiness for all. Idealistic intentions of the agreement’s contributors underlined the necessity to examine World War I as the event that took millions of innocent lives and learn the lesson that a peaceful settlement was possible.
How the Author Views the Treaty of Versailles
Many historians continue discussing the outcomes of the Treaty of Versailles as one of the most controversial but still crucial settlements between the representatives of leading nations. On the one hand, Desai and Desai cannot ignore the harsh nature of the agreement, specifically by the German side. On the other hand, the authors share a positive vision about the inevitability of identifying such conditions for Germany. At that moment, it was important to impose the victor’s justice and address the principles of justice from the political perspective. Desai and Desai view the Treaty of Versailles as an effective vehicle to promote the idea of idealism, which US President Woodrow Wilson supported, and the possibility of the creation of intergovernmental organizations. The authors believe the Treaty allowed the seeds of hope and human resilience to sprout during the hardest time when nations faced actual war losses.
Two Examples of This View from the Article
The authors mention that the Treaty of Versailles was a mere human construct that became a crucial lesson for global leaders to make peace following the principles of social justice and labor issues (Desai and Desai 216).
The main idea of the opponents of the Versailles Treaty was to share American values of freedom and justice. Still, the adamant position of the French Prime Minister explained the harsh overtone of the agreement (Desai and Desai 206).
“How the Treaty of Versailles and German Guilt Led to World War II” Article
Author: Sarah Pruitt
Summary
The Paris Peace Conference was gathered to examine the outcomes of the First World War and place a war guilt burden on Germany. Although multiple steps were taken to create a single agreement, no nation was satisfied with the results or had something to say. It was not enough to make Germany restrict its warfare resources, and all nations had to reduce their forces and freedoms to promote international peacemaking under the guidance of the League of Nations. In addition, the Treaty created favorable conditions for the Great Depression and, though indirectly, made World War II possible.
How the Author Views the Treaty of Versailles
Pruitt cannot directly demonstrate her negative attitude toward a well-known historical event, but her concerns about the impact of the Treaty of Versailles may be recognized. Her article has many “but” statements, proving that the author does not want to accept all the positions in the Treaty. She underlines that all nations had something to lose in the war, but the settlement offered touched upon all nations, not just the losers. It was expected to preserve economic freedoms and manage armed forces, while some nations expected Germany to pay a heavier price.
Two Examples of This View from the Article
The author states that Wilson’s vision, which served as a basis for the Treaty of Versailles, was too naïve and idealistic (Pruitt para. 7).
According to Pruitt, the burden of reparations imposed on Germany, the unwillingness to accept the charges, and the upcoming European inflation destabilized Europe, making Germany powerful again (para. 15).
Works Cited
Desai, Bharat H., and Jay B. Desai. “On the Century of Peacemaking at the 1919 Treaty of Versailles: Looking Back to Look Ahead.” International Studies, vol. 57, no. 3, 2020, pp. 201-222. Web.
Pruitt, Sarah. “How the Treaty of Versailles and German Guilt Led to World War II.” History, 2019. Web.