Armistice Day

"If you want to make enemies, try to change something."

~Woodrow Wilson 

Today is Veteran's Day, or as originally named, Armistice Day. So what better way to honor it's history than look back on the events for which it was named? Armistice Day was named after the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month on which the armistice was signed that ended fighting in Europe. Unfortunately though, I think the Treaty of Versailles which was the result of the original armistice showed some of the worst leadership in action of all time. 

It all started when Woodrow Wilson came up with and distributed his Fourteen Points. They were dropped over the border of Germany as propaganda and is considered an influential part in Germany's call for peace. However after the armistice was signed and the leaders of the great nations began drawing up the Treaty of Versailles, things began to take a turn for the worse. This is because, while Germany's leaders agreed with Wilson's points, they did not agree with what they turned into in the treaty. However since they had signed the Armistice and their hands were  tied, they had no say in the matter. Many believe this disagreement and hatred of the Treaty of Versailles played a crucial role in the development of WWII.


Who knows what could have happened differently if the leaders in Paris had consulted with or even just listened to the concerns of the German leaders? In any case their exclusion of certain leaders and countries from the negotiations was a clear example of what leaders should not act like. I've learned from reflecting on this incident that if something is decided without the consent or collaboration of all those involved, it can lead to some nasty consequences.