The conditions for peace discussed in the Paris Peace Conference of 1919 did not ultimately favor Germany (“Comments of the German Delegation to the Paris Peace Conference on the Conditions of Peace,” 1919). All the conditions were set on the assumption that Germany was entirely responsible for the war. One of the conditions involved the formation of the commission for the execution of indemnity. The commission would be responsible for collecting war reparations from Germany on behalf of the Allied powers (Andelman, 2008). The commission was mandated to administer German as if it was undergoing bankruptcy. It collected revenue from the German government and handed it over to the Allied nations. It also had the authority to dictate the construction of infrastructure in the country. It, however, gave preference to the repayment of the war reparations as opposed to supporting Germany's economy to enable it to support further payments in the future. It led to the decimation of the German economy and by extension its people.
The conditions for peace also undermined the self-determination of the German people. It was especially the case with the formation of the commission for the execution of indemnity, as it became the defacto government of the German people (Andelman, 2008). In doing so, it pushed the German people to the brink of losing their nationality, which was unacceptable to them.
The conference also set conditions for Germany that would have seen the country lose much of its territory. It was especially the case with Poland in which it would have gained much of Germany's territory. Some of the lands that had to be reclaimed from Germany were in fact legitimately owned by the Germans
President Wilson strongly advocated for shared responsibility for the damages caused by the war rather than hipping it on one nation. He also urged that the fundamental right for self-determination should not be taken away from the Germans regardless of their guilt. The formation of a new world order giving authority to international would have enhanced peace efforts though this was never included in the treaty.
Germany was not fairly treated since the Allied forces also inflicted damage on its territories, which they were not made to pay for; it was rather a winner takes all situation. The Allied forces would, however, be of the view that it was Germany that begun the war and as such should bear all the responsibility regardless of the damage it suffered.
References
Andelman, D. (2008). A Shattered Peace: Versailles 1919 and the Price We Pay Today. New York, NY: Wiley
“Comments of the German Delegation to the Paris Peace Conference on the Conditions of Peace” (Oct. 1919) in International Conciliation, (no. 143). Retrieved Mar. 08, 2016 from https://college.cengage.com/history/primary_sources/world/conditions_of_peace.htm
