Conclusion

    When thinking about historical events, it is easy to think of them as unrelated episodes of the past. Larger than life incidents, such as wars, that happen independently of each other. However, that is far from the case. When these episodes happen, their effects are widespread and long-lasting, and have a way of showing up in areas they are not necessarily expected. This idea can be seen with the effects of the First World War, and the Paris Peace Conference had on those countries involved. It is not hard to see how the war affected nations such as Germany or France, as often they are the more straightforward choices for study. The ripples of these situations can be felt in all nations involved regardless of their level of participation, and have an effect on their history. Ireland was not allowed to participate in the Paris Peace Conference and could not initially join the League of Nations due to its status under the United Kingdom. Ireland fought for Great Britain in the war, and the fact that it was denied entry only strengthened its struggle for independence. A similar story can be said for India. Despite its massive participation in the war, India, another colony struggling for independence, was originally not going to be allowed to participate in the conference and League. Delegates had to use the size and sway of the state’s influence to be allowed into both. Once a part of the new international order, India was able to gain experience and benefit from its position. This level of involvement with the world helped create the paradox of India in the early to mid-1900s. Still a colony, but very much a player on the global scale. Japan had followed a similar path. While the nation fought in the war and participated in both the Conference and the League, it did not hold quite the same power as the other large nations and would or could not participate to the same degree in peacemaking and peacekeeping. However, its involvement helped establish a strong liberal international system of government that, although largely gone during the second world war, re-emerged in the -post-war world. Now, of course, history is incredibly nuanced and always more complicated than it appears to be. These events are certainly not the only driving forces in these nations at this time. However, one can trace a line of influence between them, connecting these grand episodes of history and discovering their connections to places where they maybe would not be anticipated.