World War I: Origins and Impact
Causes and Consequences of World War I
Causes of WWI
- Militarism: The build-up of armed forces to prepare for war. Many countries in Europe were very proud and wanted to defend themselves as well as they could.
- Alliances: Agreements between countries to defend or fight together. Germany built up her armed forces to defend herself against other countries.
- Imperialism: The belief of a country in building up an empire and controlling less powerful countries. Many European countries made agreements or promises to help each other if a third country involved them.
- Nationalism: Pride in a country, with people wanting to govern themselves or defend themselves. After unification, Germany wanted to build up her empire.
The End of WWI
The Great War was different for a variety of reasons. The main difference was the number of deaths, both military and civilian, in such a relatively short space of time. It was the bloodiest conflict in human history.
- In Europe alone, 500 million people were directly or indirectly affected; 10 million died, and 30 million were injured or disabled. France, for instance, lost 50% of its men in the 20-23 year age range. The widows, orphans, and war-handicapped numbered millions.
- By 1918, most people believed there would never be another war like it again. So people’s attitudes had changed a lot since 1914. They didn’t see war as a big adventure anymore.
- The Allied powers met in Versailles to decide on the key points surrounding the First World War. They were to decide who caused the war, who was to pay (reparations), and what was to happen to Germany, Austria-Hungary, and indeed Europe as a whole.
Consequences of WWI
1. Demographic/Social
- 9 million soldiers died, and around 7 million civilians.
- A total of 25 million people died with the Spanish flu.
- Russia was the country that had the most casualties.
- The attitude of European people changed because the perspective towards the war changed drastically.
2. Economic
- In the Treaty of Versailles, it was decided that Germany had to pay for reparations.
- Cities and towns were completely destroyed, and Germany had to pay for them.
- This provoked significant inflation in Germany.
- Germany also lost some industrial territories, so they lost resources to rebuild the country.
- The German army was reduced to 100,000 men, with very few boats and aircraft, not to attack again.
3. Political
- The big empires (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empires) were dismantled.
- New countries were born (Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Austria-Hungary…).
- German colonies were shared between France and Great Britain.
- League of Nations (1920)
- Similar to today’s NATO, it was created to ensure peace in the world.
- Proposed by the US.
Causes of WWI (Detailed)
- Militarism: In order to conquer new colonies, European countries were trying to create the best army possible. So there was a race. The more industrialized a country, the better army it would have. Germany was envious of Great Britain.
- Alliances: The traditional empires (France, Great Britain mainly) vs. newly created nations (Germany).
- Triple Entente:
- Great Britain
- France
- USSR (Soviet Union)
- Russia
- (1915) Italy
- (1917) USA
- Triple Alliance:
- Germany
- Austria-Hungary
- Italy: (Before Italy left this alliance)
- Ottoman Empire
- Triple Entente:
- Nationalism: Before WWI, we had two types:
- Big empires: Citizens felt pride towards their nation for being the most powerful countries in the world.
- Little nations that were part of bigger empires: Nations like Slovakia were within.
The war started when Serbian students killed the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary.