History Course Assignment: Nationalism's Impact on War and Peace

This essay delves into the impact of nationalism on the conclusion of war and the subsequent negotiation of peace treaties, using Woodrow Wilson's "Fourteen Points" as a central framework. The essay analyzes how the principles of nationalism, such as national self-determination and open diplomacy, were reflected in Wilson's proposals and the reactions they elicited. It explores the varied perspectives on the peace treaty, highlighting the differing viewpoints of German delegates regarding the terms of surrender, the potential for rebuilding Germany, and the importance of national unity. The essay references historical sources to support its arguments, offering a comprehensive understanding of nationalism's role in shaping the outcomes of war and peace negotiations.

Essay Five 0
Title: Essay Five
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Essay Five 1
Contents
The Impact of Nationalism on the End of War & in the Negotiation of the Peace Treaties......2
References..................................................................................................................................3

Essay Five 2
The Impact of Nationalism on the End of War & in the Negotiation of the
Peace Treaties
According to Woodrow Wilson’s “Fourteen Points”, this can be formulated that the
different points exhibit various nationalism values, which are essential for politics and also,
for the wellbeing of the citizens. The “Fourteen Points” presented a peace proposal that
supported open diplomacy, a decrease in the armaments, and freedom of trade and commerce.
The “Fourteen Points” displayed nationalism as it has the main aim of developing a league
for the nation and also, to facilitate national self-determination (McKay, Crowston &
Wiesner-Hanks, 2014, pp. 421-436). Along with this, the peace proposal by Woodrow
Wilson suggested designing an international body that helps in ending the international
problems, which would help in ending the war. According to the opinion of Grober, who is a
delegate of the Central Party, the peace proposal will help in bringing back thousands of
German prisoners to their families. In addition to this, it will help in ending starvation in the
country, and also, it will also help in economically rebuilding the nation Germany again. On
the contrary, the opinion of Count von Posadowsky, the acceptance of this proposal would
mean abandoning many generations to misery. In addition to this, it would result in theft to
the German territory, along with making Germany defenseless.
In the opinion of Kahl, a delegate of the German People’s Party, accepting the peace
treaty would mean destructing the German states and it is due to this reason that it would be
rejected. The majority of people are not ready to separate, some of the crucial parts of
Germany like the eastern provinces. Though, Kahl hinted that if they were given the power to
hold swords, they can change their response. With this, it can be identified that people were
open to negotiation to accept the peace treaty and the different terms exhibited by them only
highlighted nationalism (McKay, Crowston & Wiesner-Hanks, 2014, pp. 416-419).

Essay Five 3
References
McKay, J., Crowston, C., & Wiesner-Hanks, M. (2019). Understanding Western Society: A
History, Volume Two. Chapter 25- War and Revolution 1914-1919 (3rd ed., pp. 416-
419). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's.
McKay, J., Crowston, C., & Wiesner-Hanks, M. (2019). Understanding Western Society: A
History, Volume Two. Chapter 26 – The Age of Anxiety 1880 - 1940 (3rd ed., pp. 421-
436). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's