• Significance and logic should be thoroughly prepared for both “significance” and “peacemaking”.
  • Since there is too much content, it would be preferable to have two examples per point.

Focus

  • Evaluate the significance of the war’s effects.

  • Effects on what?

    • Society, perhaps.
  • Introduction

    • The Paris Peace Conference took place from June 28, 1919.
      • It was mainly dominated by the UK, France, and the US.
      • Despite having different aims, they all shared the common goal of removing social instability in Europe and bringing peace.
    • World War 2
      • The US and USSR had different aims.
      • During and after the war, conferences such as Yalta, Tehran, and Potsdam took place.
  • Territorial Effects

    • World War 1

      • US: Pursued the concept of “self-determination”.
        • This was included in Wilson’s 14 points, which he mentioned in a speech in January 1918.
        • It involved breaking up empires.
        • Austria-Hungary was divided into Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, etc.
        • The Ottoman Empire was also divided.
      • France: Aimed to weaken Germany.
        • Germany lost land.
      • Winners gained territories.
        • They acquired parts of Germany and Arab territories.
        • (Austria-Hungary did not)
      • Italy aimed to gain promised land from Austria-Hungary.
      • Peacemaking extension:
        • Successes
          • Self-determination led to more people gaining independence, reducing potential conflicts.
        • Failures
          • Italy did not get the promised land, leading to anger and the rise of fascism. Mussolini came to power.
          • Germany’s humiliation and the perception of “November criminals” led to the rise of fascism.
            • Some Germans lost their independence and the goal of self-determination was not achieved.
        • Conclusion
          • The US’s pursuit of self-determination had some success, but the territorial divisions caused more significant future conflicts.
      • Significance extension:
    • World War 2

      • The US aimed to exclude communist governments from Germany and Japan.
      • The USSR aimed to create a buffer zone in Europe.
      • As a result, Korea and Germany were divided.
        • Indochina was returned to France.
        • Japan lost all the territory it had.
        • The Soviet Union took over Eastern Europe.
      • Peacemaking extension:
        • Successes
          • The buffer zone between the USSR and Western nations reduced tension.
        • Failures
          • The division of Germany caused tension.
            • Example: {TODO}
        • Conclusion
          • Although the buffer zone was somewhat successful, it also broke the Grand Alliance and contributed to the Cold War.
      • Significance extension:
  • Political Impact

    • World War 1

      • The goal of every winner.
        • The League of Nations was established.
          • It was included in Wilson’s 14 points, which he mentioned in a speech in January 1918.
          • Its purpose was to “preserve the peace” and establish collective security.
        • Disarmament was aimed for to stop the arms race.
          • Treaties were signed.
        • More democracy in Europe was aimed for.
          • Weimar Republic in Germany and elections in Turkey.
      • Germany and Italy after WW1.
      • Peacemaking extension:
        • Successes
          • The League of Nations prevented wars.
            • For example, the conflict between Greece and Bulgaria in 1925 was resolved through a League of Nations decision.
            • There was also a resolution to the conflict between Sweden and Finland.
          • Disarmament was achieved.
          • Democracy had short-term success in Germany.
        • Failures
          • The US and USSR did not join the League of Nations.
            • Historian Winter argues that the limited preparation time led to flaws in the League of Nations.
            • Wilson couldn’t negotiate with Republicans, leading to the failure of the League of Nations.
          • The abdication of the Kaiser led to the Weimar Republic, which eventually resulted in the rise of extreme ideologies and the Nazis coming to power.
            • Weak democracy failed in the long term.
          • The League of Nations was weak due to its lack of militarization.
            • Japan, Italy, and Germany expanded without intervention.
              • For example, the invasion of Abyssinia and the Japanese invasion of Manchuria and the establishment of Manchukuo.
            • The League of Nations could only intervene in non-superpowers, not superpowers.
        • Conclusion
      • Significance extension:
        • Pros
          • The failures of the League of Nations encouraged aggression from the Axis powers.
          • Weak democracy in Europe helped the Nazis come to power.
        • Counterarguments
          • The League of Nations was ineffective and insignificant.
    • World War 2

      • The United Nations was established.
        • Both the US and USSR agreed on the concept of collective security.
      • The US aimed to create alliances with democratic nations.
        • For example, West Germany and Japan.
      • The USSR aimed to create alliances with communist nations.
      • Peacemaking extension:
        • Successes
          • Collective security prevented potential conflicts.
            • Both the US and USSR were members and had military power to use force.
            • {TODO: Find Historiography}
          • The Peace Constitution of Japan prevented military conflicts.
        • Failures
          • Both the US and USSR aimed to create their own alliances, leading to the division of the Grand Alliance and the Cold War.
        • Conclusion
          • Germany and Japan were successfully prevented from becoming aggressive, but the Grand Alliance was broken and the Cold War was initiated.
      • Significance extension:
  • Economic Impact

    • World War 1

      • The US aimed for the economic recovery of Germany and free trade.
      • The UK and France demanded reparations.
        • Germany was required to pay 30 billion dollars according to the Treaty of Versailles.
      • Peacemaking extension:
        • Successes

        • Failures

          • The heavy reparations contributed to an economic crisis, which in turn led to the rise of extreme ideologies.
        • Conclusion

      • Significance extension:
        • Pros

        • Counterarguments

          • Although Hitler claimed that reparations caused the economic crisis, it was not the true cause (the Great Depression was the cause).
            • It seems possible to find historiography on this.
    • World War 2

      • The US aimed to recover Germany, Japan, and other Western nations.
        • The Marshall Plan was implemented.
      • The USSR aimed to take reparations and resources from Germany.
      • Peacemaking extension:
        • Successes
          • The US stabilized the economy in Europe and Japan.
          • An unstable economy leads to an unstable world.
        • Failures
          • The Marshall Plan and the exclusion of communists contributed to the breakdown of the Grand Alliance and the start of the Cold War.
            • According to the USSR, this was “dollar imperialism”.
          • {TODO: Historiography}
        • Conclusion
          • It did not significantly contribute to peace or conflict, but the Marshall Plan had some impact.
      • Significance extension:
        • Pros
          • The post-war economic miracle was aided by US assistance and support.
        • Counterarguments
  • Conclusion

    • The limited consideration and collaboration during the conferences led to failure.
      • Idealistic aims lacked consideration.
      • Selfish aims lacked collaboration.
    • Since this viewpoint is not widely supported at present, it would be preferable to adjust it.

? “Territorial changes were the most significant effects of war.” To what extent do you agree with this statement in relation to two twentieth-century conflicts? ? Examine the effects of the peacemaking process that followed two twentieth-century conflicts. ? Examine the reasons for the failure of one peace treaty in the 20th century. ? Compare and contrast the political repercussions of one - Other textbooks can also be used. - If it’s about WW1 peacemaking, it can lead to the move to global war. - If it’s about WW2 peacemaking, it can be connected to the early stages of the Cold War.

Notes:

  • One of them will be the main textbook, and the others may be used as additional resources.
  • Therefore, each paragraph should contain enough information to fill at least half of an essay.
  • It might be better to focus on WW1 Europe and WW2 Pacific.
  • This should be merged with the WW2 section.