Comparison of Congress of Vienna and the Versailles Peace Process - Essay Example

of the Diplomacy Comparison of Congress of Vienna and the Versailles peace process The Vienna congress (1815) and the treaty of Versailles, more than 100 years later (in 1919) have lot of similarities. In 1815, it was Napoleon (France) who has made a desperate effort to conquer the Europe and almost succeeded in it whereas in 1919, it was the turn of central powers (Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey). In both the cases, the attempt was failed miserably at the end. Napoleon was defeated in the Waterloo battle and central powers suffered humiliating defeat in World War 1. Both the Vienna Congress and the Versailles peace process were successful in formulating a treaty acceptable to both parties. Britain, Austria, Hungary, Russia, France, Prussia and the Ottoman Empire were the major players in the Vienna congress whereas U.S, France, Germany, and Britain were the major countries involved in Versailles peace process. Vienna congress was successful in restoring the balance of power in Europe whereas the Versailles treaty failed to achieve that. Both the treaties were aimed at rebuilding of the Europe after a frightening war. One of the major differences between Vienna congress and the Versailles peace process was that Vienna congress was successful in arriving a compromise formula acceptable to both the parties whereas Versailles peace process failed to achieve such a consensus. Germans left with no other option and they succumbed to the pressure exerted by the opposite party. On the other hand, France got a better deal through the Vienna congress and managed to escape with less punishment. The negotiators of Vienna Congress did everything to regain the peace in Europe without sacrificing much of the interests of the France whereas the negotiators of Versailles peace process have done everything to humiliate the Germans. The Versailles peace process was completely a one sided affair. Germans forced to accept the conditions set by the negotiators because of the lack of other options available for them at that time. This treaty was successful in destroying German economy (This treaty has taken away Germanys foreign possessions, along with any private or government property in them), which finally led to the Second World War. Moreover, Germans forced to liquidate much capital immediately in order to pay the war reparations of 33 billion gold marks, an amount which the Allies could increase whenever they saw fit (Valarauko) Vienna treaty has achieved its objectives. It helped Europe from further conflicts. On the other hand, Versailles peace process failed to achieve its objectives. In fact, it has further deepened the European crisis. German interests were totally sacrificed which forced Germans and Hitler to think of another war. In short, the treaty of Vienna and the treaty Versailles were similar in their objectives (Both treaties were aimed at keeping peace in Europe), the outcomes were different. Vienna treaty was acceptable to both parties and it succeeded in regaining peace in Europe whereas the Versailles treaty was a one sided affair which humiliated the Germans and another World War was the outcome. Munich Negotiations In September 1938, Hitler threatened the Europeans that he was going to invade Czechoslovakia unless they permit Germany to occupy the Sudetenland in western Czechoslovakia. Sudetenland was dominated by more than 3 million people of German origin at that time. Neville Chamberlain, the British prime minister of that time has met Hitler at his home and started the negotiation process. Chamberlain informed Hitler that he would inform him about the German demand after meeting other leaders like Edouard Daladier (France) and Eduard Benes (Czechoslovakia). After discussions with the above leaders, British prime minister has informed Hitler that his demand was totally unacceptable. Germans realized that France and Britain were not in a position to go for another war at that time. Soviet Union, one of the military allies of Czechoslovakia was also under economic problems at that time. Moreover, Hitler calculated that it was difficult for the democratic states like France and Britain to have a military tie up with the communist country, Soviet Union. Meanwhile, Italian leader Mussolini has suggested the Munich meeting between Germany, Italy, France and Britain to solve the crisis. The quest for sidelining Soviet Union motivated these leaders (Mussolini, Chamberlain and Daladier) to succumb to the Hitler’s demand and agreed to give Sudetenland to Germans (Munich Agreement). The Munich negotiations and the subsequent agreement were against the will of the people of Czechoslovakia even though it was acceptable to Britain and France. On the other hand, some of the noted British leaders like Winston Churchill have severely criticized the agreement because of the failure of the negotiators in preventing Hitler from capturing Sudetenland. The negotiators have justified their decisions by arguing that it was better to give a part of Czechoslovakia than giving it in full and also the avoidance of a war was at their top priority. But Hitler had other ideas. He was successful in avoiding a war with the European powers and at the same time he has seized Czechoslovakia in March 1939, breaking the Munich agreement. It was only then the negotiators have seen the exact face of Hitler. Munich agreement was successful for Hitler, but it was not so for the other Europeans. Britain, France and Italy like major European powers have realized that it was necessary for them to tie up with even the communist countries like Soviet Union in order to fight against the common enemy. They also realized that fascism was more dangerous than communism. Apart from invading Czechoslovakia, on September 1st 1939, Hitler invaded Poland (Adolf Hitler). In fact, the failure of the negotiators of Munich agreement had encouraged Hitler to seize not only Czechoslovakia, but Poland as well. If the negotiators were able to form an alliance with the Soviet Union before the Munich agreement, the bargaining power of Hitler could have been reduced. Moreover, Hitler has realized that it was easy for him to fight against these countries individually. In short, probably the Second World War could have been avoided, if Britain, France and Italy were able to form an alliance with Soviet Union before the Munich negotiations. Hitler has realized that the ideological differences between Soviet Union and other European powers would never assemble them under one umbrella. Such a divided opposition was motivated Hitler to invade Czechoslovakia and Poland which finally resulted in another world war. Works Cited 1. “Adolf Hitler”. 08 December 2009. 2. “Munich Agreement”. 08 December 2009. 3. Valarauko. 2000. “Vienna/Versailles”. 08 December 2009. Read More