Wwi: Should Germany Be Blamed
The Controversial Verdict:
Was it Fair to Place the War Guilt Solely on Germany’s Shoulders?
Candice Wei Wang
Social Studies 11
Block B
November 2, 2012 The Controversial Verdict: Was it Fair to Place the War Guilt Solely on Germany’s Shoulders? One of the most traumatizing bloodsheds in human history, the First World War left all of its combatants in pain and grief. Germany, in particular, bore the most afterwar consequence; the Treaty of Versailles placed full blame for causing World War I (WWI) on Germany’s shoulders. However, it was unjust to force Germany to assume sole responsibility for triggering World War I. Other powers in Europe played roles equally significant to that of Germany in giving rise to the four factors leading to WWI: imperialism, militarism, nationalism, and alliances (Plante,Yvette, Miller, & Falk, pp.41). Imperialism, the extension of a country’s rule and influence on other countries, led to vigorous competition among great powers over colonies, which increased tension in Europe and eventually gave rise to WWI (Plante et al., pp.41). Despite the fact that Germany assumed sole responsibility for the war, the practice of imperialism was, in fact, not only present in Germany but also equally prevalent in other parts of Europe. Great Britain played a particularly significant role in fostering imperialism with its vast areas of land in South East Asia, Africa and all around the globe. Through the Suez Canal it had built, it took over Egypt and occupied the rest of East Africa (www.suburchill.com). Consequently, other powers were compelled to seize more lands in order to compete against Britain, and the level of pressure within Europe was significantly augmented. Besides Britain, other powers in Europe also contributed as much as Germany to the growth of imperialism. France occupied numerous colonies in the Western Hemisphere and Africa, including the Ivory Coast. It also played a key part in
Was it Fair to Place the War Guilt Solely on Germany’s Shoulders?
Candice Wei Wang
Social Studies 11
Block B
November 2, 2012 The Controversial Verdict: Was it Fair to Place the War Guilt Solely on Germany’s Shoulders? One of the most traumatizing bloodsheds in human history, the First World War left all of its combatants in pain and grief. Germany, in particular, bore the most afterwar consequence; the Treaty of Versailles placed full blame for causing World War I (WWI) on Germany’s shoulders. However, it was unjust to force Germany to assume sole responsibility for triggering World War I. Other powers in Europe played roles equally significant to that of Germany in giving rise to the four factors leading to WWI: imperialism, militarism, nationalism, and alliances (Plante,Yvette, Miller, & Falk, pp.41). Imperialism, the extension of a country’s rule and influence on other countries, led to vigorous competition among great powers over colonies, which increased tension in Europe and eventually gave rise to WWI (Plante et al., pp.41). Despite the fact that Germany assumed sole responsibility for the war, the practice of imperialism was, in fact, not only present in Germany but also equally prevalent in other parts of Europe. Great Britain played a particularly significant role in fostering imperialism with its vast areas of land in South East Asia, Africa and all around the globe. Through the Suez Canal it had built, it took over Egypt and occupied the rest of East Africa (www.suburchill.com). Consequently, other powers were compelled to seize more lands in order to compete against Britain, and the level of pressure within Europe was significantly augmented. Besides Britain, other powers in Europe also contributed as much as Germany to the growth of imperialism. France occupied numerous colonies in the Western Hemisphere and Africa, including the Ivory Coast. It also played a key part in
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