PAPER 2 JUNE 2013

1. On one hand, these two sources agree on some matters. One of them is that
both sources shows how interested was Wilson in the League with his liberal and
democratic ideals. However, one of them says that he found the task so full of
conflicting claims and the other one says although he could not take part because
the senate did not agree. Also, both sources make clear the different positions
towards the League in Britain. Half of the British people argued that this would
cause a huge impact all over Europe and the other half were asking for higher
reparations.

On the other hand, while source A has a more negative point of view in France
outcomes on the terms, Source B state that Clemenceau got the best deal possible
for France. He achieved to keep the alliance between USA and Britain, and also
he could give a method of safety in the demilitarization of the Rhineland.
Consequently France felt more secure towards Germany. However, this matters
weren't important to Source A, it claims that Clemenceau was under a serious
attack from powerful forces.

In consequence I strongly believe these two sources are quite similar, talking
about Wilson, Clemenceau and Lloyd George position and thoughts of the
League

2. In source C we can see a British cartoon. This cartoon shows how the Big Four
had damaged Germany, which is the one that is represented leaving the dentist,
and they tried to cover the damage with the bandage, meaning the peace treaty
terms. Also, we can see how some other countries like Bulgaria are awaiting in
line and they seem terrified as they just saw how Germany left the place. They
are afraid of what the big four can do with them and how much damage can
cause on their country. This cartoon was published in May 1919 as way of
criticism of the terms that were just announced, to show how they were only a
bandage and that other countries followed.

3. On the one hand, Source E proves that source D is wrong. On the first source
Clemenceau talks mainly about justice and how the main basis for the settlements
of the war is. He strongly believes that they chose the right choice, for him,
Germany caused damage all over the world. In consequence, they will have to
bear some disabilities and arrangements, like the reparations. So, clearly
Clemenceau does not agree with the statements of source E and in his point of
view the Treaty and its terms was the right thing to do.

On the other hand, on source E the main advisor of Wilson thinks that in the
conference there were a lot of terms that he regretted about the Treaty, implying
that things weren't done taking into account justice like Clemenceau mentions in
the other Source. He agrees that this treaty will involve Europe in enormous
difficulties in its reinforcement. He wishes they had taken a different path.

In conclusion, I believe that as the sources are from two very different point of
view, one more peaceful and the other one much harsh, they can't prove they are
wrong as they don't have the same opinion on the issue and also they are not
mainly focusing on facts, they are talking about their opinions.

4. On the one hand, both cartoonists share some points of view. The main one is
that the president of the United States, Wilson, is the one who created the League
of Nations. Source G shows this on the sign indicating that the president has
created that bridge, meaning the League of Nations. In source F Wilson is
represented directing the orchestra in order to achieve everlasting peace, one of
the main points of the League of Nations.

On the other hand, we can see that these two sources differ in some aspects. The
main one is that while in source g other countries from USA are trying to built
the League of nations, in order to achieve cooperation and peace, that why the
cartoon shows a bridge with a gap in the middle, source F shows the other
countries helping for their own benefit, for example Japan is there in order to
have the pacific's control. Moreover, another difference is that in source G
Belgium is present in the building of the bridge and in source F it is not
considered part of the orchestra. However, Japan is considered part of it but it is
not in source G. Also, the US in source F is represented as the only loyal member
of the orchestra and in source G is not willing to help the League of Nations.

In conclusion, in spite of the fact that both cartoonists are talking about the same
issue I believe that they have different points of view of the situation and are
trying to transmit different ideas, especially of the US.

5. I'm really impressed by Wilson's speech about the Treaty of Versailles due to
the fact that he did not want to impose such a hard treaty on Germany; he wanted
to achieve peace because he was aware that they would seek revenge. However,
in this source we can see how Wilson is trying to share the idea of Germany that
has to pay for the damaged that caused, and there should not be any weak
purpose on the punishment. This is two absolutely different ideas, so Wilson in
this talk is going against their ideals. Moreover, this source was a public speech,
and we know that many politicians share a different view of the situation in
public rather than the one which they believe. So if we really want to know what
he desire for Germany we would have to search on private records for the reason
that there is no public eye on that.