World War I and the Second Industrial Revolution: Key Events & Impact
The First World War
Causes of the Great War
- Imperialism: Rivalry between imperialist powers, German aspirations, and the Moroccan Crisis.
- Nationalism: Dissolution of the Turkish Empire, Russian and Austrian aspirations, independence movements, and the Balkan Wars.
- Alliances: The Triple Alliance (Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary) and the Triple Entente (United Kingdom, France, and Russia).
- Rivalries: Franco-German tensions over Alsace-Lorraine, Anglo-German naval competition, Austro-Russian conflict for Balkan hegemony, and the Austro-Serbian dispute.
Development of the Conflict
The assassination in Sarajevo triggered the war, which unfolded in several stages:
- War of Movement: The German Schlieffen Plan involved a rapid attack through Belgium, the Battle of the Marne, and the Russian offensive on the Eastern Front.
- War of Positions: Stalemate on the Western Front, the Battle of Verdun, and the Austro-German offensive on the Eastern Front.
- Crisis of 1917: Russia’s withdrawal from the war, the United States’ entry, and a surge of pacifism.
- End of the War: Allied victory, the collapse of the Austrian and Hungarian Empires, Kaiser’s abdication, and the armistice with Germany.
The Peace Treaties
- Treaty of Versailles: Germany lost Alsace-Lorraine, Eupen, Malmedy, Schleswig, Poznan, parts of Silesia, and Danzig. It also faced war reparations and military restrictions.
- Other treaties: Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey lost territory to new Slavic nations.
- The League of Nations was created to ensure peace.
Consequences of World War I
- Significant demographic losses.
- End of European hegemony in the world economy.
- Major social changes, including the advancement of democracy and the increased role of women.
The Second Industrial Revolution
Population Growth and Migration
- Increased birth rates and decreased mortality.
- Significant overseas migration.
New Energy Sources
- Electricity (lighting, communications).
- Oil (ships and airplanes).
Scientific and Technological Development
- Revolution in Transportation: Aviation, bicycles, streetcars, navigation.
- Revolution of Science-Industry: Research laboratories and new inventions.
Changes in Business Organization
- Business Combinations: Large trade groups formed by entrepreneurs.
- Organizational Structures:
- Horizontal Merger: Companies in the same industry (e.g., steel).
- Vertical Merger: Companies engaged in complementary activities.
- Pool (Cartel): Association of companies to restrict or eliminate competition.
- Trust: Fusion of several companies into a new holding company that owns shares in multiple companies to control them.
- Monopoly: A producer has exclusive control over a product and its price.
Changes in the Organization of Work
- Taylorism: Assembly line production to increase output.
- Fordism: Use of machines and skilled workers to manufacture a large number of vehicles at low cost.