Hi beautiful people. I am struggling to find a primary source to back up the oft cited claim that Germany was not allowed into the League of Nations. Given that the covenant itself contains no such proscriptions and I am not finding it in the Treaty of Versailles (or maybe I'm just missing it) do any of you have an idea where I can find this? None of the sources I have so far have referenced a primary source so I have no idea where else to look. I have done a google search to no avail. Thanks in advance.
My favorite way to search for scholarly sources is to start out at http://scholar.google.com.
In addition to searching on the Internet, you also need to make best friends with the reference librarian(s) in your local or college library. Libraries these days subscribe to enormous research databases, and they are often usually more useful than Internet searches. Ask your librarian if you have access to EBSCOHost -- it has several databases within it, including a huge one for academic research, at least three for health sciences, one for military and government, and others.
For Internet searching:
http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/
At this webpage, you can go immediately to the search sites (first three columns across the top) -- or even better you can scroll down until you see the section called HOW TO SEARCH THE INTERNET. Those are the links to start with. You'll not only learn how to come up with good search terms, but also how to evaluate the webpages you get as results. Some will be good and others will be garbage. You need to know how to tell the difference.
To find a primary source to back up the claim that Germany was not allowed into the League of Nations, you can consider the following steps:
1. Check the Treaty of Versailles: While you mentioned that you have already checked the Treaty of Versailles, it's essential to ensure that you have thoroughly examined it. Specifically, examine sections related to the League of Nations, such as Section I ("League of Nations") and articles related to Germany's involvement in the League.
2. Look for speeches or statements by officials: Check if there are any official speeches or statements made by key figures involved in the negotiations of the Treaty of Versailles or League of Nations. These speeches might provide primary source evidence regarding Germany's exclusion from the League.
3. Check archives and official documents: Many primary sources are often housed in archives or official government repositories. Look for archives related to the League of Nations or the negotiations surrounding the Treaty of Versailles. Some examples include the United Nations' archives, national archives, or specialized libraries focusing on international relations and diplomacy.
4. Analyze diplomatic correspondence: Search for primary sources such as diplomatic cables, letters, or telegrams exchanged between different countries during the treaty negotiations. These documents might provide insight into the discussions and decisions made regarding Germany's membership.
5. Consult scholarly sources: While you mentioned that you have already reviewed several sources without finding a primary reference, it's worth expanding your search to scholarly books and articles. Scholars often cite primary sources in their works, so you might find a reference to an original document that supports the claim in question.
6. Consider reaching out to experts: If your search for primary sources is still coming up empty, consider reaching out to experts or historians who specialize in the Treaty of Versailles, League of Nations, or German history. They might be able to direct you to specific primary sources or provide further guidance.
Remember, primary sources can be challenging to locate, and it may require persistence and patience in your search.
Hello! Finding primary sources can sometimes be a challenging task. However, I can offer you some guidance on where to look.
1. Start with the official documents:
- Begin by referring to the Treaty of Versailles, which was the peace treaty that ended World War I. While the covenant of the League of Nations is not explicitly mentioned in the treaty, it does contain provisions related to the establishment and membership of the League. Look for sections specifically addressing the formation and admission of member states.
2. Consult official League of Nations documents:
- The League of Nations published various official documents, including reports, minutes, and resolutions, which can provide valuable insights. You might want to look into the official records of the League of Nations Assembly and the League of Nations Council.
- These documents might be available in libraries or online archives. Check whether your local library has access to relevant databases or if there are specific online archives dedicated to the League of Nations.
3. Check diplomatic records and correspondence:
- Primary sources like diplomatic records and correspondence between nations can shed light on the discussions, negotiations, and decisions made during that time. This might involve accessing national archives or collections of diplomatic papers.
- The records of major players involved in the negotiations, such as the United Kingdom, France, and the United States, could be particularly valuable. Look for key diplomats or foreign affairs departments of these countries.
4. Scholarly works and secondary sources:
- While you mentioned having searched for primary sources, it's worth noting that sometimes primary sources might not be easily accessible or readily available. In such cases, scholarly works and secondary sources can be helpful, as they often reference and cite primary sources.
- Look for books, articles, or research papers on the League of Nations and Germany's relationship to it. Pay attention to footnotes, endnotes, or bibliographies, which can provide leads to primary sources.
Remember that in historical research, pieces of evidence might be scattered across multiple sources, and conducting a thorough investigation takes time and persistence. Good luck with your search!