Faulty Argument

It's October 1st, 1938. Dorothy Thompson makes a speech that makes me think. Do we really want to see another war? I know I don’t. We just got out of the Great War. What Germany is doing is preventing a war from occurring. What Dorothy Thompson was saying is not the whole truth. Her faulty argument is based on the time it took to make the decisions, the inequality of those decisions, and the execution of the decisions.

             Dorothy claims that four hours is not enough time to come up with the best decision. I disagree. There was no other way, and they saw this, and knew right away what they needed to do. There was no need for time. The longer they waited, the farther away they would be from finding an answer. It’s like eating breakfast. You don’t sit there for 40 minutes trying to decide what to eat. You take at few minutes to decide to eat a bowl of cereal because that’s all you have.

            Ms. Thompson believes that the decisions made at the conference were unequal. These decisions were necessary to prevent a war from happening. One nation has to step up and take the lead to prevent war. It’s only right to reward them for stepping up.

            In Ms. Thompson’s speech, she claims that how the decision was executed was incorrect. However, these measures were taken to prevent a war. Imagine a group of kindergarteners playing a card game. If one group of them plays the game differently, you are not going to let them play.

             Overall, Dorothy Thompson was wrong. She did not see the advantages of not going to war, and was pressuring people to fight.

Germany Being Generous

While Thompson argues that “compared with [the Munich agreement] the Treaty of Versailles is a great humane document and a normal and reasonable treaty,” she is not seeing this from Germany’s side. The Treaty of Versailles blamed an entire world war on Germany. It made them pay off millions and millions of dollars, and they were not allowed an air force, a military, or any sort of defense. So really, in comparison to the Treaty of Versailles, the Munich agreement is “a great humane document” to use Ms. Thompson’s phrasing. Because Germany was treated so unfairly after World War One, it only makes sense that they would want this treaty to prevent another war or another opportunity for them to be blamed.
France and Britain completely controlled Germany after WWI, using the Treaty of Versailles, without the consent of Germany itself. Sound familiar? Maybe something “in which the defendant was not even allowed to present a brief or be heard.”? Dorothy Thompson could turn her argument around and apply it exactly to the Treaty of Versailles, which, as we all know, what against Germany.
Not only this, but by agreeing to this treaty at the Munich conference, war will be prevented. That is precisely what the countries agreed upon. Why is Thompson arguing against peace? Simply by evacuating the small territory of Czechoslovakia, peace will be prevalent among countries who have never been peaceful before. It’s quite generous of Germany to agree to peace with Britain and France, especially after being blamed for an entire war, which obviously wasn’t the case at all.
Really, Germany is not the enemy here. Britain and France are taking way more than they deserve from Germany. Millions of dollars, a military, a war guilt clause, and an entire countries’ sense of nationalism? Who’s really being unfair here?

The Munich Conference Take 2

The Munich Conference was a successful and useful meeting between four countries. By allowing Germany to take Sudetenland, France, Britain and Italy were showing Germany that they still had control over its actions. The original Treaty of Versailles was terrifically unfair, and allowing Germany this small act of redemption will help to improve relations between all the countries. Sudetenland is so small that it will not increase Germany's power anyway, and will not make Germany any more of  threat. France, Britain and Italy, by holding this conference, showed that they are willing to once again view Germany as a near-equal. It is as if Germany was a naughty child who has finally been allowed to come out of its time out. Germany has seen the power that the rest of Europe can hold over it, and this offering of peace will persuade Germany not to act out of line again. Sudetenland was merely a pacifier for the baby of Germany, and will undoubtedly stop it from pushing its luck any further. 

Now that relations between these countries have been improved, all of Europe should look forward to an era of peace and companionship. Germany has been shown its place, and now respect is once again being attributed to the once-powerful country. Soon, all the European superpowers will once again become friendly rivals and the world will live in a happy state of balance. 

Response to Munich Conference

The Munich Conference of 1938 was a good thing because peace was (temporarily) achieved when Europe was at the precipice of another war, only 20 years after World War I. Germany was obviously in the wrong here, they broke the terms of the Versailles treaty because they started expanding and developing their military. France and Britain were anxiously watching and hoping that Germany wouldn't be so brash as to stir up another war that could potentially have the same ramifications as World War I had. Eventually Germany went to far, but France and Britain were correct when they agreed on peace. The allies didn't want another war that would leave ten million people dead, and with a worldwide economic depression a war would only further their troubles. Of course Britain and France would want to proclaim that a successful peace treaty had been achieved, probably to galvanize public support in a time when people were suffering economically and hadn't fully recovered from the lost of loved ones in World War I. It is also a mini-success that French, British and German leaders were able to discuss volatile political matters because these countries historically had been great rivals. 

Give the people what they want

The Munich Conference has brought unity, cooperation, and peace to Europe's main powers: France, Britain, Italy, and Germany. 

Germany's occupation of Czechoslovakia (CZ) unites citizens of German heritage, considering that many Germans live in CZ. Instead of having two separate nations, Germany and CZ can unite to form a more economically and politically powerful nation. Therefore, for Germany's sake, the Munich Conference is beneficial and will finally bring people who share a common language and ethnicity.

More broadly, the Munich Conference establishes international cooperation among these four countries. Since the terms of the conference indicate no aggression or hostility, citizens of each of these countries can feel assured that war will not take place. This circumstance will increase levels of national confidence in each of these countries, promoting positive nationalism and potential economic success. By appeasing Hitler's demands, Germany has no reason to push further, so they are not a threat. Although the terms of the conference allow Germany to rise above the conditions of the Treaty of Versailles, hostility seems absent, so Germany's success is entirely for its own improvement, not necessarily to threaten other countries.

Again, the Munich Conference seems to assure the prevention of war, which is essentially the most important goal after all. As the paranoia of war exits the minds of citizens, countries can become more efficient in terms of labor and politics, leading a content and more stable worldwide society.

Munich Reconsidered

Dorothy Thompson was completely just in her description of the Munich Conference. We have essentially just handed the Germans exactly what they wanted, by saying that we will stand by and let them take whatever they need from whomever they wish. The "treaty" is not a treaty at all, and is entirely unfair to Czechoslovakia. Germany is putting on the appearance of giving them a say in the matter, but not only was there no representative from Czechoslovakia at the conference, but the alleged "vote" is merely a facade put on by the Germans to fool us into supporting them. The German people of Czechoslovakia have had many years since the end of the Great War to move back to Germany, so it makes no sense that now the Czechoslovakian people should have their lives and their land taken away from them. Germany is manipulating us, and I can tell that it is only a matter of time until they start asking for our own countries in addition to that of the Czechoslovakians. I can only hope that our leaders are able to see it coming, and protect us better than they did Czechoslovakia. I completely oppose this agreement and all of the terrible consequences it will bring.

The Success of the Munich Conference

The Munich Conference was a great success! Finally Europe is on the path to stopping Germany's rapid expansion. The Munich Conference will finally appease Hitler and power hungry Germany. The success of the Munich Conference has shown that diplomacy is an effective way of dealing with Germany. The conference shows that Europe's leaders can come up with an intelligent diplomatic solution in as little as four hours. Also, the Munich Conference did not require much sacrifice from Europe; It is perfectly fine to allow Germany to flex its muscles. Germany has been in a cage due to the Treaty of Versailles and it is not unnatural for Germany to want to expand after being contained for so long. Besides, the Treaty of Versailles crippled Germany to a point where it was treated as unequal to the ret of Europe; The Munich Conference simply gave Germany the equality that all European countries deserve.

Munich Agreement Reconsidered

France and Britain were right in giving Germany what it wanted in Sudetenland. It was a sacrifice that they were willing to make in order to stay on good terms. They knew that Germany had been willing to start a war over it so they gave it up freely rather than losing lives and resources to a useless conflict over a small piece of land. They saved Eastern Europe from being torn apart by simply giving Germany what they wanted. Their release of power and land demonstrated their confidence in their own strength. They knew that that Germany wouldn't be able to overthrow them so they didn't have to waste money on Sudetenland if Germany tried to take it by force. A good relationship between Germany, France, and Britain was much more important than the small territories that Germany was willing to fight for.

Munich Reconsidered

Our leaders who created the Munich Agreement claim that they are preserving peace between their nations and Germany for years to come. However, this could not be further from the truth. Rather than acting as the final step in peace negotiations, letting Germany proceed with these injustices will be the first step in Germany's climb to power.

In the final agreement - an agreement that only three other European leaders decided to ratify - there is no consideration for the rights of humans. For non-Germans living in Czechoslovakia, there is no clause that even mentions their evacuation, and nothing prevents the Germans from turning to violence. Because the Germans control the plebiscites, a majority of people who would make a difference are not given the right to vote on the decision. The only party that this injustice benefits is the Germans in their rise to power.

And this certainly does not fosters peace and friendly relations between our countries. Chamberlain champions the agreement as though it is peace itself, but this is only an act of temporary appeasement. Germany is allowed to expand its boundaries again through this unjust annexation. But Germany will not stop there when the rest of Europe, evidently, will allow it much more. How many more restrictions does Germany wish to free itself of? Is this the end of tension between nations or the signal of the Germany's militaristic rise to power once again?

A Time to Grow

While France and Britain's decision to give Sudetenland to Germany may have felt like submitting when they should have been strong,  it was one made with the best interests of their countries in mind. The Munich Conference decided to sacrifice a small region of Austria for the greater  good of other, much larger, lands. There was no way that they could have known that Hitler would go on to such horrendous acts, willfully breaking promises made to Britain and France. The leaders of Britain and France would have believed themselves to be pacifying a country, stopping it by giving it exactly what it wants. They, as victims of the situation, hoped that Hitler would be content with the concessions it was given. While, the lack of Czechoslovakian representation may be slightly disturbing, to have made this decision, it was necessary; the Czechs would never have resigned themselves to what was necessary had they a say. 

Looking at the situation, even from hindsight, one comes up with the same conclusions. If Britain and France hadn't made the decisions that they did, the war would have begun much sooner, perhaps in a time when the world was even less recovered from the depression. The time afforded by compromise of Sudetenland won the Allies time, both to realize Hitler's power and purpose, and to strengthen themselves for the oncoming battle. While no treaty could have prevented World War II, the Munich Conference allowed the Allies the strength they needed to win it much later. 

Munich Conference Other Side

In Dorothy Thompson's radio broadcast of 1938 she said Germany's takeover of Czechoslovakia should have been stopped but I believe that what the German's are doing is perfectly acceptable. They are just taking over so they can expand they need to have something they can call their own. What they are doing does not matter, they still are not a threat and what they are doing will not matter in the long run. We have to at least give them a chance to feel confident about something since they got put in their place in World War I. Letting them have Czechoslovakia will not come beack to haunt us, Dorothy Thompson is over reacting and she is going to make people worry about nothing. If they let Germany have Czechoslovakia it will appease them and keep them at bay for awhile, there's nothing to worry about, sometimes to calm an uneasy child you need to give them something to play with and that is exactly what Germany needs, something to call it's own.

If Dorothy keeps ranting about Germany than people will panic and over react to the point where we might even have another World War. Germany really has not done anything wrong they are just expanding and that is what every country does at some point in their history. Just leave Germany be and let them go about their business, but if people believe Germany is trying to do something then it will not turn out well.

Munich Conference Take 2

The Munich Conference was definitely the right thing to do at this time. Before there was a lot of tension between Germany and the rest of Europe after the Treaty of Versailles. Germany was not allowed to have an Air-force or a large army, both of which they have now broken. The main goal of the conference was peace and I believe it has been achieved. Germany is now a lot more powerful and coming back to being equal to France and Britain. And for those who argue that it was unfair, why should Czechoslovakia be represented. They are such a small country. If they were represented, then shouldn't Romania and Lithuania be represented as well? They are so insignificant compared to Britain and France and Germany that they don't deserve representation.

And regarding the matter of the German takeover of the Czechs, it will make Czechoslovakia a stronger country being under German rule because Germany is a lot more stable relative to Czechoslovakia. 

As for peace, Dorothy Thompson said that Peace can be established when there is equal terms between each sides, and now there is. The Treaty of Versailles put Germany a lot lower than the rest of Europe. However now, they are more at par with Europe. Also she said Peace is not the absence of war, but a positive condition. There is no war right now, and the condition is a lot more positive than it was before the Munich Conference, so therefore there is peace and the main goal of the conference has been reached. 

Opposite Opinion of Munich Agreement

From these past wars, there has been a large amount of damage done to numerous countries. To attain peace between Germany and the allied countries, Germany is proposing the Munich Agreement. They may call it peace, but it is very obvious what they are trying to accomplish. One of their demands is for all non-German people living in Czechoslovakia is to be evacuated while the Germans stay. It is obvious that Hitler is planning something significant or else he wouldn't go to such extents to get the Nazis and Germans into Czechoslovakia. Also, the Germans are disobeying the Treaty of Versailles. They created their Air Force and enhanced their army by creating a draft even though the Treaty specifically says that they are to limit their army to 100,000 men and not have an Air Force at all. This "peace" is established by a dictator, "and can only maintain itself by further dictatorship". The non-German citizens of Czechoslovakia all agree with me when I say that Hitler is evil and is planning to take over the world one country at a time.

Notes:
Dorothy Thompson, "Peace: and the crisis Begins", October 1, 1938.

Munich Reconsidered

The Munich Conference has led us to establish a peaceful relationship with Germany. Once they get Sudetenland, it will no longer bother the other European countries. Germany was always a dangerous country to be near, and thus if we let them have their way, they will see us as allies, no longer needing to fight with each other. As we all know already, Germany has broken the Treaty of Versailles, and is preparing for the battle that may initiate any moment. Although we may have won the last great war, Germany was still a difficult country to defeat. With the pressure and memory of the last war, they have prepared immensely for this war, and in these times it would be safer to please them and be on their side as for now. True, the 'peace' that we have now is barely strong enough to actually last, yet in this situation, it is better than nothing. Giving up Sudetenland will save us many lives on both sides, and thus in this sense we have made the right choice. The consequences of our agreement will show soon.

Go Munich Conference!

The Munich Conference was a great success. The goal was to achieve peace, and this did indeed occur. I understand that Czechoslovakia did not have a representation in the conference, however I do not see this as unfair. In fact, this is even a long term advantage for the Czechs. I do not think that Czechoslovakia would have seen the big picture of what is best overall. In the conference, the Czech people are granted peace and protection, which they did not really have before. I think that the leaders of all of Europe's countries that did represent in the Munich Conference had a fair viewpoint and good knowledge about what is best, and most peaceful, for everyone.

Way to go Britain and France! (No Sarcasm)

Giving Sudetenland to Germany was a fantastic idea. The Munich Conference was supposed to maintain peace and thats what it was doing! Everyone knows that giving a country what it wants will prevent war, especially when they know that war will happen if it the agreement didn't appease Hitler. World War I was terrible on everyone involved, so it was logical that Britain and France would not want it to happen again. And if giving Germany Sudetenland was the only thing that could prevent war then obviously measures would be taken to appease.

The Treaty of Versailles, though it might have seemed unfair at the time, was really made when the wounds made during World War I were still fresh so obviously the terms were made a little too harsh. Just because a country builds an army doesn't mean that they are going to start a war, they just want to make the people living there safe. And just to go farther, Hitler knew that France was just waiting to start another war with Germany because they hate each other, so re-militarizing Rhineland was just another way to ensure the safety of the German population. Britain and France made the right choice in overlooking Hitler's rule breaking because they knew that they would do the same thing for their country if it ensured safety.

And though some may argue that giving over Czechoslovakia was fascist takeover, they would really be overlooking the fact that it was just a sacrifice made for the greater good. Part of the Czech citizens are of German decent, so they deserve to be part of the German nation. And as for the people that would have to leave, doesn't that seem like something they would want to do. Even though Czechoslovakia is their home at the time, when Sudetenland becomes an official part of Germany, it would be a terribly uncomfortable place for them to live because they would not fit into the larger population. Their cultures would be different and they would probably want to find a place where they could live comfortably. So really, evicting all those who are not German isn't a way to get rid of the minorities, but rather to make sure that those minorities have a more comfortable place to live.

And finally, Hitler's expansion was not a way that he could spread his territories, but rather a way that he could make sure all people of German decent could have a place that they could live, be comfortable, and be safe.