Was the Paris Peace Conference a failure or a success - Essay Example

Paris Peace Conference (1919) - Definitely a Failure as it Paved Way for the World War 2 Directly After Its Set UP Need for the Conference In theyear 1919, just after the World War 1 was over and Germany was defeated, the leaders of the victorious countries met to set up the peace terms for the Germany and its allies and to deal with the empires of the defeated countries following to Armistice of 1918. Treaty of Versailles (28 June, 1919) The Treaty of Versailles was one of the most important treaties drawn in the Paris Peace Conference as it brought an end to the State of War between Germany and the Allied Powers.

The date of signing this treaty is significant as it was done five years after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and on the exact date of his death. There were a number of provisions in the treaty the most controversial and important one was that Germany accepts the full responsibility for the cause of World War 1. It levied heavy economical impositions ($31.4 billion) that took a number of years to pay up. Hence, this led Germany unsatisfied. Though financially weak it was not morally weakened.

Therefore the treaty failed to subdue Germany in the right manner so that it later took a hostile step bringing much havoc in the world. 2 The Big Four Delegates from 32 different countries met at the Paris Peace Conference; however, four people took active participation in the drawing of treaties and were known as the Big Four. The members of the Big Four were David Lloyd George, Prime Minister of The United Kindom Georges Clemenceau - Prime Minister of France. Woodrow Wilson - President of the United States of America and Vittorio Orlando, Prime minister of Italy.

The defeated countries suffered the conclusions of their talks. Wilson worked hard to have his Fourteen Points included in the league. He was specifically concerned about the League of Nations. The other three European leaders did not quite agree with most of his points as they had developed secret treaties of their own. France’s main objective was a Peace treaty that would safeguard its country against future attacks from Germany. It also wanted compensation for the destruction of its homeland.

The four prominent leaders struggled against each other to have their points heard and implemented. Finally, on 7th May, 1919 the final treaty was presented to Germany. Mistakes 3 Though, Germany was defeated and was currently at its low, but in future there was a chance of Germany gaining back its lost powers. And if at that time Germany selected for itself a powerful or aggressive ruler, then the Peace Treaty would hold no value for him. According to Alan Sharp, “Under immense pressure the (Big) Four made mistakes which contributed to future unrest, but much more of the responsibility rests on their successors and especially the economic and political calamity of 1929 which destroyed the Weimar republic and brought Hitler to power.

” Thus, in 1930s the world saw another World War which rang with a greater vengeance under the leadership of Rudolph Hitler. Conclusion The Paris Peace Conference levied heavy punishments on Germany for creating violence in the world. It had to surrender all its overseas goods along with approximately thirteen percent of its pre war territory. Germany’s military forces were drastically chopped off to rob it off its military powers. The treaty also imposed heavy warfare amount to be paid by Germany for all the destructions that it had created.

Two obscure German representatives signed the treaty thus, paving the way for overall celebration. But, no one could fathom that the signing of the treaty also opened up gates for further conflict that would emerge with mightier force twenty years later. Hence, we see that the 1919 Paris Peace Conference had a number of faults both in the 4 drawing of the treatise and also in its handling by the leaders. This paved the way for future aggressions in the shape of World War 2. Work Cited Roselle, L.J. "Hayden, Joseph R.

Negotiating in the press: American journalism and diplomacy, 1918-1919." CHOICE: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries 47.12 (2010): 2315. Academic OneFile. Web. 18 Apr. 2011. "Paris Peace Conference." Encyclop?dia Britannica. Encyclop?dia Britannica Online. Encyclop?dia Britannica, 2011. Web. 18 Apr. 2011. . Sharp, Alan. "The 'big four'--peacemaking in Paris in 1919: Alan Sharp takes a flesh look at the statesmen responsible for the Treaty of Versailles." History Review 65 (2009): 14+.

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