Nations Bleed Contempt, Call for Justice
In a remarkable show of diplomatic force, nations from around the world will merge tomorrow to negotiate the terms of peace, or so they say. The Great War of 1914-1918, which began with the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand has now culminated in the humiliation of Germany. "We were wrong to start the war", delegate from Germany stated in an interview this afternoon. "I'm worried that negotiations will not bring about peace but focus only on blame." The Italian delegation seemed equally worried saying, "We have a strategic role in this conversation. We have been lied to and forced into an economic recession. We were neutral during the whole affair and promised land after we signed the Treaty of London, but we have still not been given the land we were promised." The sense in which the Italian delegation spoke seemed to stress the fear that the negotiations were not going to go very well. The Russian delegation as well seemed very unsure about the negotiations. They were completely unwilling to make comment, and they refused to answer any questions, instead scowling out reporters as they passed by.
In much bolder tones, Great Britain condemned Germany saying, "Germany should pay for the devastation they caused. We do not seek revenge, however. We seek justice." Whether or not "justice" and "revenge", however, can be distinguished is still yet to be seen. The US as well spoke boldly saying, "We present the 14 points for discussion, and we anticipate that countries will agree to them." When asked why the 14 points would be so popular at the conference, the US delegation argued, "The group will agree that a strong US is better for the world. It will secure international peace." When asked whether the 14 points favored US national interests, the US delegates were quick to agree, but reassured us that it was for the benefit of the rest of the world. France agreed saying, "The US wants to help. They are a powerful ally of the world."
Austria-Hungry (A-H) made no comment about the negotiations, but did say that Germany and A-H had split for diplomatic reasons. We anticipate that, while both countries will be under intense political fire tomorrow, they have something up their sleeve.
Unfortunately, the Balkan states were not available for comment. It was expressed, however, that they were about to experience life very similar to "the Christmas ham", meaning that they were about to be carved up and consumed.
In related news, both Japan and China will be present during the conference fighting over a land dispute. Both delegations seemed equally blameworthy of the other. Both argued against strengthening the other, and both felt very strongly that the conference should address their claims.
We all eagerly await the beginning of the conference. Let's see how negotiations go.
On to a better tomorrow,
The Daily Blogger
Showing posts with label Paris Peace Conference. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paris Peace Conference. Show all posts
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Paris Peace Conference: Rules of Debate
Rules of operation for the Paris Peace Conference of 1919
1) Each country is responsible for an opening statement
a. What the country wants
b. Why the country wants it
2) Each country will have a placard of recognition
3) Each country will have the opportunity to speak when recognized by the moderator
4) The discussion of each session should pertain to the stated purposes of each country (opening statements)
5) The purpose of the conference is to come to a written agreement about how to conclude the war of 1914-1918
6) Unmoderated caucus: Any nation can call for an unmoderated cauces for the purpose of private discussion and negotiation
a. An unmoderated caucus must be proposed for an expressed purpose and for a specific time
b. Unmoderated caucuses will pass by majority vote
7) There should be debate, but all debate must be grounded in reason and fact
Preparations for the Paris Peace Conference of 1919
Prepare for a simulation of peace talks after the war:
Besides knowing the basics for all groups, you should write out full, well informed responses to the following questions (1-5) from the perspective of your assigned group:
1. What were the costs of the war? Were there any atrocities, war crimes, or genocide committed? (How many people died and what were casualties? How much money did it cost and do you have any debts? What’s the difference between fighting war and committing a crime or genocide?) Who committed the most egregious offences and how? Did the war accomplish anything?
How do you feel at the end of the War?
2. *What did your group want and seek to accomplish in the talks?
Who is to blame for the war? Should they be punished and if so how?
a. How would like to see the map of Europe and the world? (see Map)
Should any territory of Germany, Austria- Hungary, or Turkey be taken away and transferred to any other country or should any new country be created?
Consider territory in Europe, Middle East, and overseas colonies in Africa and SE Asia/Oceana. Draw a map the way you want it.
(How happy were you with the actual political lines drawn on the map after the Peace conference in Paris and treaties such as Versailles?)
b. Should the Central Powers be restricted?
Should the Central Powers’ be allowed heavy industry or any capacity to make military equipment, or have a military?
Should all nations have freedom of the seas?
Should all trade and tariffs barriers be eliminated?
Should the central powers pay reparations? How much? For how long?
Should the world including the winners disarm?
c. What are the minimum requirements that each group would accept?
3. What needs to be done to prevent future wars and create a lasting peace?
Can nationalism coexist with human rights?
Should there be an international organization to keep peace?
How should it be structured? One nation, one vote? Have its own army?
4. What did each group actually get or give?
(Declarations of guilt, land on the map, payments of reparations or debts to pay, political power and prestige, national aspirations, etc. . .)
5. How do the results of the treaty lay the seeds for future problems and conflict?
6. To what extent do you agree or disagree with these words from Machiavelli, “You can either crush a foe or make friends with him; what is most dangerous is to insult him and let him go free…”
Rules:
1. All groups need to be well prepared to present their views and may be critical of the other groups' views.
2. For the purposes of the simulation all groups will be allowed to speak, even though all groups were not actually present in the original Paris Peace Talks. Nevertheless, the more powerful you were the more time you will be given to talk.
3. Only the groups who were actually present will be allowed to vote in the talks.
4. Each group will be graded on the depth of their preparation and the skill with which they represent the views of their assigned group, not on whether they win or lose.
5. Each group should create a sign/placard to identify themselves.
Evaluation/grade:
Quantity of Preparation.
Quality of Presentation content.
Quality of Participation and speaking.
Recommended Resources:
The Huffington Library online database—Encyclopedia Britannica
The War:http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/ especially http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/chapters/ch4_overview.html
The specifics:
Treaty of Versailles
A German view of the Treaty of Versailles:
Maps:
Paris 1919 : Six Months That Changed the World
by MARGARET MACMILLAN
by MARGARET MACMILLAN
The notable British economist John Maynard Keynes denounced the Treaty of Versailles declaring, “The Treaty includes no provisions for the economic rehabilitation of Europe—nothing to make the defeated Central Empires into good neighbors, nothing to stabilize the new States of Europe, nothing to reclaim Russia; nor does it promote in any way a compact of economic solidarity amongst the Allies themselves; no arrangement was reached at Paris for restoring the disordered finances of France and Italy, or to adjust the systems of the Old World and the New.” (Keynes, 1920, 211)
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