“Transforming the Map of Europe during and after WWI“ is an Erasmus Plus module for secondary school students, which fosters historical awareness and critical reflection. As peace conference delegates, the students discussed territorial conflicts after WWI in two separate committees on Wed, 27th, and Thu, 28th January 2016, and tried to work out alternative solutions. Here is their resolution:
Forum: Paris Peace Conference Committee: Territorial Disputes Main submitter: Germany Co-Submitters: Poland, Russia, France, Belgium, Austria, Kingdom of Italy The Paris Peace Conference, Noting with regret the tremendous damage suffered by all countries during the Great War, Aware that the outbreak of war was a result of escalating tension between all countries, Commending the establishment of the Paris Peace Conference as a basis for future peace and equality between all nations, Hoping to uphold the plight of all areas through popular sovereignty 1. Confirms the German intent to renounce Alsace-Lorraine as its own, considering its majority-French population, with the intent that it holds a closed-plebiscite for its people after 5 years of French rule; 2. Demands that Germany, in regards to the Polish Government and in line with the principal of self-determination: 3. surrenders the Poznan province to a closed-plebiscite after five years under Polish rule and grants free access to the sea for Poland through: a. The port of Danzig, Koenigsberg and Memel, b. The Polish corridor between the Free City of Danzig and the Poznan province, 4. Releases Upper Silesia to a closed-plebiscite as it is a Polish majority area after five years under Polish rule, 5. Designates the German district of Schleswig to hold a closed-plebiscite as a Danish-majority district; 6. Resolves that Germany demilitarize the Rhineland for the next 12 years, followed by a closed-plebiscite under the League of Nations; 7. Resolves to hold further closed-plebiscites in the interest of self-determination in German majority areas such; a) Eupen-Malmedy, b) Hultschin Region, c) The Sudetenland, 8. Demands that Russia gives Poland: a) West Belarus b) West Ukraine 9. Designates to give Lithuania to Poland and then hold a closed-plebiscite in the interest of selfdetermination after 5 years. 10. Suggests that these colonies run by the former German Empire should be handed to the Empire of Japan as mandates with the promise of self-determination after the build up of infrastructure and economic strength in a ten year span in particular: a) the Marshall Islands b) the Caroline Islands c) the Marianas d) German New Guinea