Dbq The Benefits Of Punishing Germany Essay
The benefits of punishing Germany didn’t outweigh the drawbacks. During World War 1, Germany caused most of the damage to the Allied Powers. The Big Four which was US, England, France, and Italy made the treaty of Versailles to punish Germany. They wanted Germany to accept complete blame for the war. Therefore, Germany lost large amounts of land to the Allied nations and were forced to pay $33 billion for the damage they caused during World War 1. However, Germany wasn’t the only one that caused the casualties to the Allied Powers so they shouldn’t take all the blame. According to document 4, it talks about the reaction of how Germany felt about being punished. The Germans felt ashamed and humiliation. This made German even more Nationalistic,
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which led Germany wanting to get revenge. Another cause of punishing Germany is their military. Their military decreased, which gave Hitler a moral cause. He wanted to re-build Germany’s armed forces. Also, in document 7, it states the quote, “Men will not always die quietly.”-John Maynard Keynes, The Economic Consequences of the Peace. This quote refers to Germany meaning they would want to get revenge on the Big Four. Germany isn’t going to let it go because Germans do not always die quietly which is what the quote is referring to. According to document 5, it shows a map of Europe before World War 1(1914) and Europe after World War 1(1919). Based on the map of Europe after World War 1, it shows that Germany has lost many lands which were taken by the Big Four and was given to various countries. Also, the Big Four took control of Germany’s overseas colonies. This frustrated many Germans. As a result, Germany wanted to take their land back. Also, in document 3, it talks about President Wilson’s Fourteen Points. The Fourteen Points were a list of specific proposals for postwar peace. The points included military cutbacks, proposed lower tariffs, and banned secret agreements between nations. However, it doesn’t mention about Germany being punished. President Wilson was a reformer and wanted to make peace.
Yet, European leaders made their decision and disagreed with President Wilson’s Fourteen Points. Some might say the benefits of punishing Germany did outweigh the drawbacks. According to document 1, it shows Germany caused the most casualties to the Allied Powers. They caused a total of 7,142,558 casualties. However, just because they caused the most casualties, it doesn’t mean that they take the whole blame. What about other countries like Austria-Hungary, Turkey, and Bulgaria? In fact, Austria-Hungary caused a total of 7,020,000 casualties and they didn’t get any blame. Germany doesn’t deserve to take all the blame for what happened during World War 1. In conclusion, the benefits of punishing Germany didn’t outweigh the drawbacks. In short, Germany was made to accept full blame for World War I, being required to pay reparations for all the damages done to the allied countries with the War Guilt Clause. This drawback left Germany locally humiliated and ruined. After Germany's worldwide humiliation, the Germans were ready to accept such a leader as Adolph Hitler, who promised to make their country powerful again and regain its boundaries. Therefore, it was a bad idea for the Big Four to punish Germany because if they didn’t there
maybe wouldn’t be a World War 2.
which led Germany wanting to get revenge. Another cause of punishing Germany is their military. Their military decreased, which gave Hitler a moral cause. He wanted to re-build Germany’s armed forces. Also, in document 7, it states the quote, “Men will not always die quietly.”-John Maynard Keynes, The Economic Consequences of the Peace. This quote refers to Germany meaning they would want to get revenge on the Big Four. Germany isn’t going to let it go because Germans do not always die quietly which is what the quote is referring to. According to document 5, it shows a map of Europe before World War 1(1914) and Europe after World War 1(1919). Based on the map of Europe after World War 1, it shows that Germany has lost many lands which were taken by the Big Four and was given to various countries. Also, the Big Four took control of Germany’s overseas colonies. This frustrated many Germans. As a result, Germany wanted to take their land back. Also, in document 3, it talks about President Wilson’s Fourteen Points. The Fourteen Points were a list of specific proposals for postwar peace. The points included military cutbacks, proposed lower tariffs, and banned secret agreements between nations. However, it doesn’t mention about Germany being punished. President Wilson was a reformer and wanted to make peace.
Yet, European leaders made their decision and disagreed with President Wilson’s Fourteen Points. Some might say the benefits of punishing Germany did outweigh the drawbacks. According to document 1, it shows Germany caused the most casualties to the Allied Powers. They caused a total of 7,142,558 casualties. However, just because they caused the most casualties, it doesn’t mean that they take the whole blame. What about other countries like Austria-Hungary, Turkey, and Bulgaria? In fact, Austria-Hungary caused a total of 7,020,000 casualties and they didn’t get any blame. Germany doesn’t deserve to take all the blame for what happened during World War 1. In conclusion, the benefits of punishing Germany didn’t outweigh the drawbacks. In short, Germany was made to accept full blame for World War I, being required to pay reparations for all the damages done to the allied countries with the War Guilt Clause. This drawback left Germany locally humiliated and ruined. After Germany's worldwide humiliation, the Germans were ready to accept such a leader as Adolph Hitler, who promised to make their country powerful again and regain its boundaries. Therefore, it was a bad idea for the Big Four to punish Germany because if they didn’t there
maybe wouldn’t be a World War 2.