Peace Processes and Diplomacy: What Makes Peace Difficult to Secure?
Making peace is never simple. Even after weapons fall silent, countries must rebuild trust, negotiate fair terms, and repair the problems that caused the war in the first place.
World War I and World War II show how difficult this can be: both wars ended in different ways, and the peace that followed each conflict had very different results.
Together, they reveal not only how wars end, but also why securing lasting peace is so challenging.
Exam technique
Use the phrase: “Peace built on resentment cannot last.”
This strengthens any argument about Versailles.
Remember: power matters more than promises.
Without military force, diplomacy collapses.
How World War I Came to an End
World War I ended not because one side achieved total conquest, but because Germany collapsed from within.
Key reasons:
Germany’s final offensives failed in 1918, leaving the army exhausted.
The arrival of fresh U.S. troops strengthened the Allies and shifted momentum.
Germany faced starvation, economic breakdown, and political crisis at home.
The Kaiser abdicated, and the new government requested peace.
The Armistice of 11 November 1918 stopped the fighting, followed by the Treaty of Versailles in June 1919.
Common Mistake
Germany hadn’t been invaded, so many Germans didn’t think they were truly defeated.
This led to the false “stab-in-the-back” myth: the idea that politicians and civilians betrayed the army.
The myth fuelled resentment, undermined the peace settlement, and made later diplomacy harder.
How World War II Came to an End
In Europe
WWII in Europe ended through complete military defeat of Nazi Germany:
Allies advanced from the west; Soviets pushed from the east.
Berlin fell; Hitler committed suicide.
Germany surrendered unconditionally on 8 May 1945.
In the Pacific
Japan refused to surrender until:
Atomic bombs devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The Soviet Union invaded Japanese-held territory.
Economic collapse made further fighting impossible.
Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945.
Note
Timeline
World War I End (1918–1919)
March–July 1918: Germany’s last offensives fail.
August–November 1918: Allies advance with U.S. support; German army collapses.
9 November 1918: Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates.
11 November 1918: Armistice signed - fighting stops.
June 1919: Treaty of Versailles imposes harsh peace terms on Germany.
World War II End (1945)
In Europe:
January-April 1945: Allies and Soviets push into Germany.
30 April 1945: Hitler commits suicide in Berlin.
8 May 1945: Germany surrenders (V-E Day).
In the Pacific:
6 & 9 August 1945: Atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
8 August 1945: USSR declares war on Japan.
15 August 1945: Japan surrenders (V-J Day).
Why Peace After World War I Was Difficult
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