Treaty of Versailles 1919: China
China on the world map
China's National Motto: "China's peaceful rise." Abstract: Minimal territory should be taken from Germany beyond the land that they stole from the Allied Powers. Heavy industry should be limited, but not to the point as to steal the right the people of the Central Powers have to protect themselves. Economic barriers should be put to an end, all should have freedom of the seas, and a League of Nations should be created to prevent future disputes between countries. China's Historical Situation: China held neutrality over World War I for its first four years. Things were going well for China from 1914-1918 for the most part. Many cities underwent great industrial growth. But there was some conflict. In 1915 Japan represented China with the 21 Demands to effectively turn China into a Japanese protectorate. Yuan Shikhai's government was forced to agree to a modified version of the demands because of their political situation: being internally divided, struggling after the revolution of 1911, etc. China's disputes with Japan such as this one are what fueled the country to join the Allied Powers in 1917. Their major aim was to earn their place at the Versailles Peace Conference. China expected the United States to offer their support to halt Japanese ambitions. A bargain was struck in favor of Japan and China was deeply outraged. They refused to sign the Treaty of Versailles. When the news of the United State's obstinacy reached China's populace a huge wave of protests was triggered across the country. Treaty Question Responses: 1. No territory of the aforementioned countries should be taken except for Alsace-Lorraine which should also be returned to France. The main reason for this is that Germany and the others should be left to their own devices from this point forward, but still be punished and regulated in order to prevent future wars to break out. The United States has a growing desire for an adoption of a policy of isolation. 2. An independent Poland should be created. The country should be given full access to the sea and granted full political and economic independence. Beyond this, no other countries should be created from said territory. 3. Overseas territory need not be transferred to other countries except for land that was deliberately taken by Germany from the Allied Powers. Expanding on the question, all should have freedom of navigation upon the seas. However, parts of the seas may be closed in the future upon an international agreement. 4. The only new boundary lines should be for the creation of Poland. Poland’s boundary lines should start on the east end of Germany, dip into Austria-Hungary and enter the left end of Russia. (Displayed on map.) 5. Not only in the Central Powers should heavy industry be limited, but in all countries. “National armaments will be reduced to the lowest point consistent with domestic safety” (Wilson). Reducing weapons and armed forces in all countries is a great decision and will lead to less conflict overall in the future. 6. All economic barriers should be put to an end. No countries should have economic barriers between each other any longer. Trade should flourish and allow us to grow from each other. Collaboration is the key to international success. 7. Reparations need not be paid by the Central Powers. As long as they are prevented from unleashing future wars, they mustn’t be punished too much. 8. The Central Powers are allowed to have military capability, just not over the point of the basic safety that is needed. All countries have the right to have protection in the form of a military, as long as this right is not abused. Growing a military too large will eventually result in some sort of conflict. 9. Everyone should have complete freedom of the seas. The only exception to this is if an international agreement is made to prohibit access to parts of the seas in order to ensure safety and avoid war. Otherwise, all nations have the freedom to travel wherever they please. 10. Once again, militaries are allowed within all countries, so long as the right to owning a military is not abused. There shall be a limit to how large weapon production and the military can grow, but countries will definitely not be denied the right to protect themselves. 11. An international body, or League of Nations, “should be set up to guarantee the political and territorial independence of all states” (History Learning Site). Such a body could prevent a war from ever starting and solve all disputes before they have the ability to blow out of proportion. This is the ultimate action to preventing a future war from starting. Looking Ahead: China was among the original members of the League of Nations when it was first founded on January 10, 1920. Disputes continued with Japan throughout 1919-1929 and China's history overall was uneventful during this time. Tension rose more and more throughout these years and the years of the Great Depression. Through 1929-1939 the source of China's problems was mainly Japan. Japan had invaded China and were not relenting. This grew into World War II and China sided with the Allied Powers against Japan and the others of the Axis Powers. Works Cited: "China Declares War on Germany." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2015. <http://www.history.com/this-day-in history/china-declares-war-on-germany>. "Chinese Revolution." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Aug. 2014. Web. 29 Jan. 2015 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/112760/Chinese Revolution>. "Exploring Chinese History :: Politics :: Conflict and War :: World War I." Exploring Chinese History. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2015 <http://www.ibiblio.org/chinesehistory/contents/03pol/c04s10.html>. "League of Nations." League of Nations. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2015 <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/leagueofnations.htm>. "The League of Nations." Office of the Historian. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2015 <https://history.state.gov/milestones/1914-1920/league>. "League of Nations Timeline." League of Nations Timeline. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://worldatwar.net/timeline/other/league18-46.html>. "Timeline for China." Timeline for China. Indiana University, n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www.indiana.edu/~e232/Time2.html>. "The Treaty of Versailles." History Learning Site. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2015 <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/treaty_of_versailles.htm>. "Treaty of Versailles." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2015. <http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/treaty-of versailles>. Wilson, Woodrow. "President Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points." Avalon Project - President Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points. N.p., 2008. Web. 29 Jan. 2015. <http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/wilson14.asp>. "Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points." Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2015 <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/woodrow_wilson1.htm>. |
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