The First and Second World Wars - Essay Example

The French stance acted only as humiliation to Germany in many ways rather than creating a comity of the European States. The Treaty of Versailles which was viewed as a step towards stability in the international system became one of the underlying reasons for the Second World War. Peace was attained, but irrefragably for a short-term only. In contrast to the French response, the United States reaction after the Second World War was sangfroid to a greater extend. The American demands had very long-term results.

Though it can be stated that both nations aimed to create a secure and war free enviromnent, the US was far more successful in this course, keeping Germany under check without deprivation of dignity. As France chaired the peace conference after World War I, it viewed Germany as the country responsible for the war and the destructions caused by it. The Treaty of Versailles was therefore advanced as a punishment to Germany. The Germans signed the treaty but proposed some adjustments. Although Germany never admitted a defeat, the humiliation caused to it because of the treaty and the strong urge to escape such bonds lead to the reasons of settling scores.

The tactic France was using to establish peace, or its effort to strip Germany off, of any military power it had left to act against France in the future, did not succeed in the manner the French wanted. Keynes and the other critics of his likes were eager to criticize the treaty and the policies it laid down against Germany, still Clemenceau and many other French wanted a deliberate imposition of such policies to deform Germany of any sort of political, economic and military influences. The justifications France gave were that of the economic reconstruction.

Despite any efforts, even if not pointed towards the right direction, to maintain peace, equilibrium of power within the nations was again disturbed and thus came the rise of the Nazis, lead by Hitler. It is deemed that the work of the British writer Keynes had provided German supporters all the arguments they needed against the reconstruction efforts of the Versailles Treaty. Justifications were passed out by the Germans that they should not have to pay for anything. And eventually came the Second World War.

The United States Congress was uncomfortable with the Treaty of Versailles and did not approve it. They were of the opinion that the vindictive attitude of the French would eventually cause the Germans to react in aggressive manner, which ultimately they did. The Second World War is the largest and the most violent war in the history of humankind. During the war, the United States was in a far better strategic position, being a powerful state. By the end of war, the United States and the USSR inclined as two greatest powers of the world.

Again, the misbalance in the equilibrium of power resulted in the great Cold War era.After the Second War, Marshall Plan was introduced as part of the European Recovery Program. Unlike the Treaty of Versailles, Marshall Plan was able to adopt a more justified approach in the distribution of resources. The United States was in a far better position than the French ever were after the first war. It was not only able to provide Europe with a secure reform plan, but also gained trust of the Europeans without taking material advantages of the situation.

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