World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed in Paris on June 28, 1919. The terms of the treaty were particularly harsh on Germany, including, but not limited to, reparations and disarmament. Germany was also required to take responsibility for starting the war in what became known as the “War Guilt Clause.” The goals were peace, recovery, and deterrence. In hindsight, historians can see how this treaty formed the initial ingredients for the destruction that followed 20 years later in World War II.
As I observe the behaviors of Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic, I can’t help but recall this war-time history of the early-to-mid 20th century. Our actions today, like those initiated in 1919, place us at high-risk of mixing the key ingredients of destruction.
We all want peace and a return to normal. We want an admission of guilt by those who we think are guilty of starting and spreading the virus. We demand that each other disarm and lay down our rights to protest or assemble. We insist upon government payments to make right the financial wrongs that have resulted from this pandemic. We shout about those payments and how they are misappropriated. We believe that if we can have our way politically, then that will get us back on track.
The Treaty of Versailles sought to achieve similar circumstances – peace, guilt, disarmament, financial considerations, and political stability. What ended up happening was resentment that boiled over into holocaust, nuclear war, and the deaths of millions of soldiers and civilians worldwide.
It is important for you to know that forcing guilt, reparations, and disarmament upon others has historically led to the rise of destructive ideas and people. We are Americans and those of us who are rational do not wish to sow the seeds of division and destruction in this country. You are friends and neighbors and patriots with each other.
It has often been said that emotion is the great enemy of investors. Emotion, it seems, is also the enemy of normally resilient Americans who all want a great country and peace within. Unfortunately, we are traveling down a path that looks eerily analogous to one of the worst periods in human history. Please, for the love of country, control your emotions, sacrifice for each other, and work together so that we aren’t left with resentment stewing in our hearts once this pandemic ends.
