The year of 1919 had Europe's feet placed firmly on the ground. It was now the end of the infamous World War I and the Paris Peace Treaties

The year of 1919 had Europe’s feet placed firmly on the ground. It was now the end of the infamous World War I and the Paris Peace Treaties were now being exposed to the world and specifically to Germany and its alliances. Their fate was in the hands of the victorious countries of Europe that demanded a great deal out of the main causes of this war. They demanded their revenge and the humiliation of the Central Powers through signatures followed by direct actions that highlighted their requests. Many nations were involved in the post-war agreements, each attempting to benefit from the disaster in their own ways. The treaties introduced economic benefits, self-determination, and military benefits to many of the winning nations. The treaties also helped show how power played an enormous role on the future of the Central Powers. National Prestige was shining during this time from the powerful nations that played a big part on the Central Powers’ outcome. They proved and maintained their integrity as powerful countries through stripping the Central Powers of their pride and integrity as countries. The “Big Three” introduced most of the regulations in the treaties, these regulations were thought of extensively and rationally. Although the Paris Peace Treaties brought a time of intense thought for rational punishment against the Central Powers, they did not completely resolve the problems that caused World War I.

In 1914, the second most bloodiest and brutal war of the twentieth century began. This war introduced terror and catastrophic behavior to the world. These four years murdered over eight million soldiers and cost about 337 billion U.S. dollars. Many historians would agree to acknowledge various causes for the beginning of World War I but one reason must be emphasized entirely. Germany as a country was the main reason behind World War I. Its government led itself to make decisions that had a negative impact on the other European nations. Germany’s Otto von Bismarck set Germany’s image as an aggressive country, his impressive army development gained him respect from his people. Through their leader, the Germans were given a positive perspective on aggression and violence. Their ideas of a powerful nation stood behind their powerful army. This mentality allowed Germany to act as an offensive force. One main contribution that Von Bismarck provided to the main cause behind the war was the Triple Alliance. In 1882, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy signed an alliance. They were recognized as the Central Powers. The alliance provided numerous problems strictly because the other powers found themselves at a disadvantage. If anything were to happen, Britain, France, and Russia found themselves to be weak if they were forced to fight separately. The Triple Alliance then gave them the opportunity to “agree.” In 1894, France and Russia signed a defensive alliance in an attempt to help each other in case a war was to break out. Britain would not sign the alliance due to its creed of splendid isolation, so France agreed for them to sign an entente that also included Russia. The continent was divided into two powers that harbored tension. Any conflict would ignite a war between the six major powers. Germany had dragged other countries into its scheme that led to many negative outcomes in the future. These other allies such as Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire were dragged by Germany into its plan and allowed for tension to build up through these allied powers’ problems. This tension was introduced through Germany’s brilliant idea of allying with another power.

Germany’s main source for the cause of the World War came shortly after he dismissed Von Bismarck. Kaiser Wilhelm II was a determined man that needed to compete against Britain’s infamous navy. Kaiser wanted power for Germany through a technologically advanced navy and 2,300,000 well-equipped soldiers. Kaiser continued to create conflicting feelings between Germany and Britain. His determination to create a navy fleet more powerful than that of Britain’s threatened Britain’s navy and war tactics. Another contribution to the cause that Germany added to was when Kaiser wanted to test the alliance between France and Britain in Morocco. Kaiser stirred ...

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The Paris Peace Treaties were formed after the war had ended in 1919. These treaties were formed to control and punish the main cause of the war. Germany and its allies which were also recognized as the Central Powers were given different harsh treaties to sign as a punishment for losing the war. President Woodrow Wilson began the treaties with his fourteen points. The main theme behind his points emphasized the need for self-determination and democracy. Many of the European nations disregarded his ideas and diverted their attention on another treaty. The Treaty of Versailles was written for Germany. This treaty was obviously the harshest due to the fact that it was intended for Germany mainly because it was the main cause behind the war. The treaty declared Germany to be completely responsible for the war. Germany lost one-eighth of its land and 6,500,000 people in the East. It also lost all its colonies, one-sixth of its agricultural lands, and a tenth of its factories. The treaty also destroyed Germany’s navy fleet and reduced its army to about 100,000 soldiers. Germany was also expected to pay over $500 million in reparations. Other treaties were also created to punish the other allied countries. The treaty of Saint Germain focused on Austria-Hungary. They were forced to pay reparations and forced to give up territory. Austria and Hungary both became republics. The treaty did not allow for these two nations to ally with Germany for numerous reasons. Two new countries were formed through the treaty of Saint Germain. Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia were now two new states formed by the Czechs, Slovaks, Serbs, and Croats. The other allies also faced harsh treaties that included a loss of territory and the loss of money for reparations. These countries all faced a high level of punishment because of Germany’s problems.

These treaties were all created in an attempt to punish the countries responsible for starting a World War. Although the treaties provided harsh punishments on Germany and its allied countries, the success of the Paris Peace Treaties’ attempt to resolve the problems that caused World War I were not completely significant. Its success in resolving the problems that are directly influenced with the cause of the war remain solely on the Treaty of Versailles’ ability to affect Germany’s army. Germany’s army provided dangerous competition within the European continent so the treaty had an entire section dedicated to the Military Clauses. The affect the treaty had on the German army provided the Treaty of Versailles with success in controlling the main cause of the war. The other treaties that were created to control the allied countries such as the Treaty of Saint Germain forced Austria-Hungary to branch out. The formation of Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia helped relieve tension in Austria-Hungary and Russia. This also proved to be a successful act forced by the Treaty of Saint Germain. These two contributions from the treaties are the only successful aspects that resolve the problems that caused the war.

The Paris Peace Treaties showed a great deal of irrelevance to the cause of the war. The obligations forced by the treaties on the Central Powers were mostly related to territorial losses and reparations. These two punishments were forced on Germany and its allied countries. The victorious nations demanded the countries to be broken down and stripped of some of their industrial areas. The fact that the industrial resources were stripped away made the need for reparations difficult. Since the countries’ source of income was given away as a punishment, they could not pay the reparations fully. In this sense, The Paris Peace Treaties had a flaw and was not successful. A main reason behind the treaty being unsuccessful is due to uprising tension created through the anger behind these countries. The tension between the Central Powers and the victorious powers has just grown and not decreased, these harsh punishments did nothing to relieve the tension that was already created. This tension helped the world merge into its next World War in 1939. The Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to suffer from unemployment and inflation. They protested against the treaty in an attempt to regain some prestige. The German people were annoyed with their government so they decided to set up a republic. This did not work; a lot of communist ideas began to spread and finally threw out the republic. This problem introduced World War II. Apparently, The Paris Peace Treaty provided a sub-treaty that indirectly caused another World War; this shows how it did not exactly resolve the problems.

Post-war treaties do not necessarily help mend the problems faced in wars. The victorious countries usually want the obligations made in the treaties to benefit their economy and military. They usually disregard the tension and probability of a next war occurring. In this case, one war leads to another through a treaty whose main purpose was to resolve problems and not escalate them. The Paris Peace Treaty was greatly unsuccessful and should be used as a tool to learn from the leaders of the worlds’ mistakes.

“The failures of yesterday are the learnings of tomorrow.”

Roberto Baggio