As a quintessential example of peace settlement, Treaty of Versailles has been widely regarded as the last page of World War One, following the armistice, formally marking the conclusion of war status between Germany and the Allied and Associated Powers (Brezina, 2006). However, the Treaty has only enjoyed limited success and was, paradoxically, accused of laying the cornerstone for its predecessor, the following World War Two (Keynes, 1920; Schuker, 1992; Taylor, 1991). The cardinal objective of the essay is to discuss and examine to what extent that the Treaty, which was designed to restore the global peace and normality (Treaty of Versailles, 1919), has attained its goal. Although the outbreak of World War Two indicated the attempt to eliminate
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However, after merely two decades the previous war ended, Nazi Germany, under the command of Adolf Hitler, once again started a war involving countries from all continents by invading Poland in 1939 (Gilbert, 2008). The outcome is indeed unexpected as the Treaty punished Germany with allegedly “vindictive” and “harsh” terms in favour of the negotiated agreement of the Allied Powers, including disarmament, reparations and ceding of territories and colonies (Kennan cited in Boemeke, Feldman and Glaser, 1998; Taylor, …show more content…
Its contributions in raising global awareness to social inequality, lack of freedom of conscience and religion, unfair and inhumane conditions of labour are remarkable; these concepts can be traced in contemporary thoughts. Besides, the Treaty has explicitly advocated gender equality by granting not only men but also women the rights to vote in plebiscites, further encouraged and stimulated the rise of women’s rights. While all Individuals share the fruits of the progression and development of human rights, the inviolability of territorial integrity has also become an inherent right of any independent state under the promotion of Treaty of Versailles. While redrawing the border between states, the Treaty has allowed Belgium in regaining sovereignty, guaranteed Luxembourg independence from annexation of Belgium and returned Northern Schleswig to Denmark (Newton, 2011; Traty of Versailles, 1919).
In conclusion, the debacle of the Treaty of Versailles was an outcome of its innate weaknesses. Although the Treaty of Versailles failed to secure and guarantee a lasting peace, its importance in the development and shaping of modern thoughts should not be undermined. Indeed, the clauses of the Treaty are regarded as impotent as a satisfying resolution for all countries and individuals involved could not be provided. However, any supposedly ‘absolute perfect
However, after merely two decades the previous war ended, Nazi Germany, under the command of Adolf Hitler, once again started a war involving countries from all continents by invading Poland in 1939 (Gilbert, 2008). The outcome is indeed unexpected as the Treaty punished Germany with allegedly “vindictive” and “harsh” terms in favour of the negotiated agreement of the Allied Powers, including disarmament, reparations and ceding of territories and colonies (Kennan cited in Boemeke, Feldman and Glaser, 1998; Taylor, …show more content…
Its contributions in raising global awareness to social inequality, lack of freedom of conscience and religion, unfair and inhumane conditions of labour are remarkable; these concepts can be traced in contemporary thoughts. Besides, the Treaty has explicitly advocated gender equality by granting not only men but also women the rights to vote in plebiscites, further encouraged and stimulated the rise of women’s rights. While all Individuals share the fruits of the progression and development of human rights, the inviolability of territorial integrity has also become an inherent right of any independent state under the promotion of Treaty of Versailles. While redrawing the border between states, the Treaty has allowed Belgium in regaining sovereignty, guaranteed Luxembourg independence from annexation of Belgium and returned Northern Schleswig to Denmark (Newton, 2011; Traty of Versailles, 1919).
In conclusion, the debacle of the Treaty of Versailles was an outcome of its innate weaknesses. Although the Treaty of Versailles failed to secure and guarantee a lasting peace, its importance in the development and shaping of modern thoughts should not be undermined. Indeed, the clauses of the Treaty are regarded as impotent as a satisfying resolution for all countries and individuals involved could not be provided. However, any supposedly ‘absolute perfect