World War I Debate

17.423: The Causes and Prevention of War
Spring 1998
TA: David Mendeloff

World War II Debate: The Judgment of History

World leaders have often claimed that they would let history judge their actions. Today, we have decided to call them on their boasts. You are the defense counsels representing one of the parties listed below. The general charge against your clients: Contributing to the outbreak of World War II by facilitating Nazi aggression in Europe or Japanese aggression in Asia. (The Nazi party has already been brought to justice. Everyone accepts that they bear primary responsibility for the war in Europe. The issue to be decided here is, which of you most facilitated their aggression.) As defense counsel you will speak before the others for 3-5 minutes and must address the following:

Explain and defend your client's actions leading up to the war.
Lay blame for the war on one of the other co-defendants listed below.

Schedule of Presentations

The War in Europe: Monday, 27 April

The Accused

The Charge

1. British appeasers

Continually failed to stand up to Hitler.

2. Soviet leadership

Foolishly cooperated with Hitler in the division of Poland, helped Germany rearm itself.

3. American isolationists

Prevented the U.S. from deterring Hitler and sabotaged the Versailles Treaty and the League of Nations.

4. American Wilsonians

Devised the flawed Versailles system and left world security in the hands of the powerless League of Nations.

5. French leadership

Failed to acquire the offensive capabilities necessary to deter Hitler and cooperated with appeasement.

6. German historical revisionists

Failed to acquire the offensive capabilities necessary to deter Hitler and cooperated with appeasement.

7. German people/army

Failed to remove Hitler from power even after he revealed his self-destructive intentions.

The Accused	The Charge
1. British appeasers	Continually failed to stand up to Hitler.
2. Soviet leadership	Foolishly cooperated with Hitler in the division of Poland, helped Germany rearm itself.
3. American isolationists	Prevented the U.S. from deterring Hitler and sabotaged the Versailles Treaty and the League of Nations.
4. American Wilsonians	Devised the flawed Versailles system and left world security in the hands of the powerless League of Nations.
5. French leadership	Failed to acquire the offensive capabilities necessary to deter Hitler and cooperated with appeasement.
6. German historical revisionists	Failed to acquire the offensive capabilities necessary to deter Hitler and cooperated with appeasement.
7. German people/army	Failed to remove Hitler from power even after he revealed his self-destructive intentions.

The War in Asia: Monday, 4 May

The Accused

The Charge

1. American Pacific isolationists

Severely hindered US ability to serve as balancer, either in Europe or Asia, thereby encouraging aggressor powers.

2. American Pacific hardliners

Acheson, et al., pursued policies provocative enough to precipitate war with Japan but not to force concessions.

3. Japanese military

Invaded neighbors, seized empires, chose and then continued a hopeless war rather than agree to limits on imperial ambitions.

4. Japanese civilian leadership

Failed to stop out-of-control military, choosing instead to be coopted into Imperial adventures.

The Accused	The Charge
1. American Pacific isolationists	Severely hindered US ability to serve as balancer, either in Europe or Asia, thereby encouraging aggressor powers.
2. American Pacific hardliners	Acheson, et al., pursued policies provocative enough to precipitate war with Japan but not to force concessions.
3. Japanese military	Invaded neighbors, seized empires, chose and then continued a hopeless war rather than agree to limits on imperial ambitions.
4. Japanese civilian leadership	Failed to stop out-of-control military, choosing instead to be coopted into Imperial adventures.

For a list of appointed defenders select from the following:

Monday, 3-4 Section

Monday, 5-6 Section

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