How Will Various Provisions of the Treaty Hurt Germany’s Economy?
According to the authors of the complaint, the treaty prevented the country from proper development. First, reparations were unfair and the funds provided to other countries (often referred to as enemies) could be used to help the country address the aftermaths of the war (“Comments of the German Delegation,” 1919). Moreover, the need to give away a part of the territory could also have negative effects on the economic development of Germany according to the authors of the document. The territories in question were industrial areas that could bring the country the necessary funds for the development. Finally, Germany was not invited to international institutions, which also negatively affected its international trade.
How Would the Country Have Been Treated Differently if the Principles They Attribute to President Wilson Had Been Applied?
The authors of the document stressed that President Wilson identified the flaws in the European system that led to the war. The president also noted that it was essential to apply the principle of justice and equality. The application of these principles would lead to the development of a different peace treaty. According to the authors of the document, all the countries that participated in the war had to provide compensations. Furthermore, all the countries had to take an active part in the development of international organizations and international trade. If those values were followed, countries would not lose their lands and their ability to make decisions.
To What Higher “Fundamental Laws” Does the Document Appeal to in Order to Strengthen German Assertions?
The German delegation also appealed to the highest law and right of nations to self-determination. This was one of the major arguments when discussing the loss of territories. The delegation stressed that Germans who lived in those areas would be isolated from their roots and their relatives. Furthermore, the need to provide reparations also prevented the country from using its right to self-determination. Germany had to follow several guidelines developed by the members of the newly-developed international organizations. Clearly, such type of governance violated the country’s right to make choices and focus on its self-determination.
I believe that many provisions of the treaty were inadequately severe. The treaty had various adverse effects on the country as it made Germany and its allies pay for the flaws in the system of the European international relations (“Treaty of Versailles ends World War I,” 2017). Importantly, the defenders of the treaty had to emphasize that Germany lost its right to self-determination when it decided to violate the world order that existed. Germany did not take into account the right to self-determination of the countries it attacked so it could not appeal to this right.
Was Germany Being Poorly Treated? What Response to Their Complaints Might Defenders of the Treaty Have Made?
At the same time, Germany had to receive various opportunities to develop and overcome the aftermaths of the war as the country was devastated just like the majority of the European states. The defenders of the treaty could still respond to many comments and complaints. First of all, the defenders of the document had to emphasize that reparation and loss of territories were the price Germany had to pay for the aggression and devastation of the continent. Nevertheless, the amount of reparation could be negotiated. Importantly, it was essential to make sure people’s voices are heard not politicians’. It was important to launch a plebiscite and ask people about their wishes. People who lived in the areas that were to be given away had to reveal their ideas on the matter. Those people had to decide what country to be or become.
References
Comments of the German delegation to the Paris peace conference on the conditions of peace. (1919).