The Treaty of Versailles, signed at the Paris Peace Conference by the victorious nations, stated

that Germany and its allies were primarily responsible for the initiation of World War I. In light of their

decision, I believe that the major representatives made a fair and just verdict. Germany seemed to

continually push the buttons of the other countries. I feel that Germany’s hostility and disrespect of the

other countries is one of the major reasons that the war was actually started. I also feel that the treaty’s

decision to make Germany responsible for the reparations of the other countries was very suitable.

Germany and its allies displayed quite a bit of hostility right from the beginning. A particular

German ally, Austria-Hungary, was technically the first country who declared war. Austria-Hungary had

been involved in a disagreement with Serbia over the annexation of two smaller countries. One of these

smaller countries, Bosnia, happened to be mostly populated by ethnic Serbs. The Serbs wanted to be

united as one nation, much like other ethnic groups in Europe. Serbia challenged this annexation, and

called upon Russia for support. Germany decided to get involved, and basically told Russia to recognize

the annexation and turn the other way. (The Twentieth Century: A Brief Global History, p.99) I believe

this is a prime example of how forcefully aggressive Germany was. Germany’s involvement might have

been expected due to their alliance with Austria-Hungary. However, it had to be their hostility and thirst

for control that drove them to persuade Russia so much in their favor.

Another good example of Germany’s aggression that points to their responsibility for causing

WWI, is their war plans. Germany had developed a plan of how to be victorious against Russia and

France if they should ever be at war with each other. Germany’s disrespect for other countries, and

especially their disregard of a neutral country, was adequately shown in this plan. Germany declared war

on Russia, and later France. Germany had to invade neutral Belgium to get to France. When Great

Britain heard of the invasion of Belgium, they decided to take action against Germany. (The Twentieth

Century, p. 102) Germany’s actions to this point pulled in countries that were more, or less uninvolved.

Thus the alliance system started to play its role.

Germany’s continual encouragement of hostility fueled the war. In addition, I believe that the

fragile economic state of the world after the war can be directly blamed on Germany and its allies.

Germany and Austria-Hungary increased their military expenses almost double of what they had in

previous years. Due to their increase in armament the Allied forces were forced to increase their

expenditures, just in order to keep up. Russia, France, and Great Britain were among some of the ones

that were spending billions of dollars on a better armament for their country. These high increases put a

major strain on the economy, and it can all be related back to the initial expenditures of the Central

forces. I absolutely agree with the council’s decision to name Germany and its allies as being

responsible for World War I, and I support what the treaty stated about the reparations. Germany was at

fault, and it’s completely fair that they were branded as the instigators, and made to give something back

to each of the countries involved for their losses.

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