Impact of WorldWar I

Crisis and Crisis and ConflictConflict

Chapter 1: Impact of Chapter 1: Impact of World War IWorld War I

An Enquiry Approach to Modern World An Enquiry Approach to Modern World

HistoryHistory

Secondary 3Secondary 3

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Crisis and Conflict: Impact of World War I Copyright 2006

Did World War I change the Did World War I change the world?world?

What was the world like before World War I?

What was the world like after World War I?

1. The world before 1914.2. What caused the war.

1. Effects of the war on the world.

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In a NutshellIn a NutshellWhen did it happen? 1914––1918

Where did it happen? Europe, Africa and the Middle East

Who fought in the war? 1) Allied Powers (Leading member: Britain)

2) Central Powers (Leading member: Germany)

Who won? The Allied Powers

How many died? Soldiers: 8 millionCivilians or people who were not soldiers: 6 million

World War IWorld War I

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Allied Powers• Britain• France• Serbia• Russia• Italy (joined after May 1915)

Central Powers• Germany• Austria-Hungary• Ottoman Turkey

vs

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Powerful Powerful countriescountries

Competition Competition for coloniesfor colonies

Arms and Arms and naval racenaval race

Alliances Alliances among the among the

great great powerspowers

Strong Strong feelings of feelings of

nationalismnationalism

AssassinatioAssassination of n of

Archduke of Archduke of Austria-Austria-HungaryHungary

What was What was the world the world like before like before

World War I?World War I?

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Powerful countries Britain Britain Largest colonial empire in the world.Largest colonial empire in the world.

Most powerful navy.Most powerful navy.

FranceFrance Defeated by Germans in 1871 Franco-Defeated by Germans in 1871 Franco-Prussian War.Prussian War.

Lost resource-rich Alsace-Lorraine.Lost resource-rich Alsace-Lorraine.

Looked for ways to recover it.Looked for ways to recover it.

RussiaRussia Largest empire in Europe.Largest empire in Europe.

Largest army.Largest army.

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Powerful countries Austria- Austria- Large, unstable and divided empire.Large, unstable and divided empire.

HungaryHungary Different ethnic groups often attempted to Different ethnic groups often attempted to break away to form own nation-states.break away to form own nation-states.

GermanyGermany Economy grew rapidly after 1871 Economy grew rapidly after 1871 reunification.reunification. Army best-trained and equipped in Europe.Army best-trained and equipped in Europe. Kaiser Wilhelm II’s ambition.Kaiser Wilhelm II’s ambition.

OttomanOttoman Empire stretched from Europe to the Empire stretched from Europe to the TurkeyTurkey Middle East and Asia. Middle East and Asia.

Central government too weak to control all Central government too weak to control all parts of its empire.parts of its empire.

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Britain:• Largest colonial

empire in the world.

• Most powerful navy.

France:• Resource-rich Alsace-

Lorraine was annexed by Germany in the 1871 Franco-Prussian War.

• Looked for ways to recover it.

Germany:• Rapid growth in economy and

power after 1871 reunification.

• Best-trained and equipped army in Europe.

• Huge territorial ambition.

Russia:• Largest empire in Europe.

• Largest army.

• Less advanced industrialisation.

The Ottoman Empire (Ottoman Turkey):

• Empire stretched from Europe to the Middle East and Asia.

• Central government too weak to control all parts of its empire.

Austria-Hungary:• Large, unstable and divided

empire.

• Different ethnic groups often attempted to break away to form their own nation-states.

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Competition for colonies Acquire colonies to:Acquire colonies to:

further national security.further national security.

enhance national prestige.enhance national prestige.

obtain raw materials.obtain raw materials.

gain access to markets for manufactured gain access to markets for manufactured goods.goods.

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Competition for colonies Britain and Britain and

France already France already in control of in control of most of Africa most of Africa and Asia.and Asia.

Very little left for Very little left for Germany.Germany.

Competition for Competition for colonies. colonies.

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Germany

Austria-Hungary

Arms and naval race Germany’s ambition to expand army and navy to Germany’s ambition to expand army and navy to

rival its enemies.rival its enemies. Powerful military as bargaining voice, bragging Powerful military as bargaining voice, bragging

rights and fulcrum to expansionist policy?rights and fulcrum to expansionist policy?

Kaiser Wilhelm II in an interview published in the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph in November 1908

“Germany is a young and growing empire. She takes part in trade that is rapidly expanding. Germany must have a powerful fleet to protect that trade. She must be able to fight for her interests in any part of the world. Only those powers that have great navies will be listened to with respect.”

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Britain

Russia

FranceArms and naval race Britain, France and Russia felt the threat Britain, France and Russia felt the threat

posed by an ambitious Germany.posed by an ambitious Germany. Also increased army and navy to maintain Also increased army and navy to maintain

balance of military power.balance of military power.

The race is on!The race is on!

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Arms and naval race

700,000

403,000 380,000302,000 247,000

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

Russia Germany France Britain Austria-Hungary

Size of great powers' armies

1870

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Arms and naval race

700,000

1,300,000

403,000

812,000

380,000

846,000

302,000381,000

247,000

424,000

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

Russia Germany France Britain Austria-Hungary

Size of great powers' armies

18701914

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Alliances among the great powers

1907 1907 (Triple Entente Agreement)(Triple Entente Agreement)

Britain, France and Russia allied to become the Allied Powers.

18821882(Triple Alliance Agreement)(Triple Alliance Agreement)

Austria-Hungary, Germany and Italy allied to form the Central Powers.

The Balance of Power: The Balance of Power:

The great powers thought that forming alliances could deter The great powers thought that forming alliances could deter countries from starting a war. This was because such a war would countries from starting a war. This was because such a war would not be easy to win as it would quickly escalate as more countries not be easy to win as it would quickly escalate as more countries joined the fight via the alliances.joined the fight via the alliances.

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Instead, these alliances meant that a war between two countries Instead, these alliances meant that a war between two countries would soon involve their allies and become a bigger conflict.would soon involve their allies and become a bigger conflict.

Played an important part in causing World War I.Played an important part in causing World War I.

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Because of the Triple Entente, Germany Because of the Triple Entente, Germany hatched the Schlieffen Plan.hatched the Schlieffen Plan.

Plan would prevent Germany from having to Plan would prevent Germany from having to fight the Allied Powers on fight the Allied Powers on two frontstwo fronts in the in the event of war: event of war: France and Britain in the west.France and Britain in the west. Russia to the east.Russia to the east.

Pivotal action of the Plan was to defeat France Pivotal action of the Plan was to defeat France with with lightning attack through neutral Belgiumlightning attack through neutral Belgium and take out the Western front.and take out the Western front.

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Germany risked having to fight the Germany risked having to fight the Allied Powers on both the Allied Powers on both the Eastern front Eastern front and the and the Western frontWestern front..

The Schlieffen Plan called for The Schlieffen Plan called for surprise occupation of neutral surprise occupation of neutral Belgium and lightning attack and Belgium and lightning attack and defeat of France through Belgium.defeat of France through Belgium.

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Strong feelings of nationalism

Many Slavs lived in the Balkans, in nation-Many Slavs lived in the Balkans, in nation-states like Bosnia and Serbia.states like Bosnia and Serbia.

Serbian nationalismSerbian nationalism inspired plans for inspired plans for creation of larger Serbian state (Serbia creation of larger Serbian state (Serbia and Bosnia).and Bosnia).

Austria-Hungary threatened by prospect of Austria-Hungary threatened by prospect of larger Serbian state larger Serbian state south of its bordersouth of its border..

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Serbian nationalism to Serbian nationalism to the south of Austria-the south of Austria-Hungary’sHungary’s border created border created a threat for Austria-a threat for Austria-Hungary.Hungary.

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Strong feelings of nationalism

1908 1908 Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia. Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia. Many Slavs decided to set up Many Slavs decided to set up secret secret

societiessocieties goal was to force Austria- goal was to force Austria-Hungary out of Bosnia.Hungary out of Bosnia.

Russians were also Slavs Russians were also Slavs protective protective towards fellow Slavs in the Balkans.towards fellow Slavs in the Balkans.

Opposed to Austria-Hungary’s attempts to Opposed to Austria-Hungary’s attempts to prevent spread of Serbian nationalism.prevent spread of Serbian nationalism.

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Assassination of Archduke of Austria-Hungary

28 June 1914 28 June 1914 Archduke Franz Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir apparent to the throne of Ferdinand, heir apparent to the throne of Austria-Hungary, was shot in Bosnia.Austria-Hungary, was shot in Bosnia.

Killer was member of ‘Black Hand’, a Killer was member of ‘Black Hand’, a secret society based in Serbia. secret society based in Serbia.

The perfect excuse for Austria-Hungary to The perfect excuse for Austria-Hungary to remove Serbian threat once and for allremove Serbian threat once and for all. . accused Serbia of planning the murder.accused Serbia of planning the murder.

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Events which led to start of World War I

28 June 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand was shot in Sarajevo, Bosnia.

23 July 1914: Germany offered to back Austria-Hungary against Serbia. Austria-Hungary demanded that Serbia hand over leaders of the ‘Black Hand’ by 25 July.

26 July 1914: Russia joined the fray by supporting Serbia.

28 July 1914: Leaders of ‘Black Hand’ not handed over. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.

31 July 1914:Russia mobilised its army in support of Serbia. Germany feared an imminent Russian invasion.

1 August 1914:Germany declared war on Russia; France mobilised its troops to support Russia.

3 August 1914:Germany declared war on France. Schlieffen Plan set in motion, Germans entered neutral Belgium.

3 August 1914:As Belgium was under British protection, Britain sent ultimatum to Germany to withdraw from Belgium.

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Events which led to start of World War I

4 August 1914: Britain declared war on Germany as German troops had not withdrawn.

World War I began!World War I began!

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What really caused

World War I?

Powerful countries?Powerful countries?

Competition for Competition for colonies?colonies?

Arms and naval Arms and naval race?race?

Alliances among the Alliances among the great powers?great powers?

Strong feelings of Strong feelings of nationalism?nationalism?

Assassination of Assassination of Archduke of Archduke of

Austria-Hungary?Austria-Hungary?

Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

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What really caused World War What really caused World War I?I?

Which view do you agree with?Which view do you agree with?

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The Course of the WarThe Course of the War Schlieffen Plan did not materialise as planned for the Schlieffen Plan did not materialise as planned for the

Germans.Germans. By the end of By the end of

1914, both 1914, both sides stuck in a sides stuck in a stalematestalemate of of bloody trench bloody trench warfare.warfare.

Little land Little land gained but gained but heavy heavy casualties.casualties.

It was very difficult to penetrate the formidable defence formed by a line of trenches. Hundreds of thousands of deaths were suffered in bloody trench warfare.

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The Germans’ intended lightning attack of France did not succeed. Instead their advances were The Germans’ intended lightning attack of France did not succeed. Instead their advances were slowed drastically by stiff Allied resistance. slowed drastically by stiff Allied resistance.

Long lines of trenches dug from Belgium to the Swiss border ensured both sides got stuck in a Long lines of trenches dug from Belgium to the Swiss border ensured both sides got stuck in a fruitless yet bloody trench warfare fruitless yet bloody trench warfare – – a stalemate.a stalemate.

In 1914, the Germans failed to even In 1914, the Germans failed to even reach Paris. The Schlieffen Plan had reach Paris. The Schlieffen Plan had collapsed. They were drawn into a collapsed. They were drawn into a two-front wartwo-front war. .

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The Course of the WarThe Course of the WarNovember 1914:The Ottoman Empire entered the war on Germany’s side.

May 1915:Italy joined the war on the side of the Allied Powers. In return, Italy was promised territory which it hoped to gain from Austria-Hungary.

April 1917:The USA declared war against Germany due to outrage over loss of innocent American lives when German submarines sank the Lusitania.

March 1918:Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany and exited the war because it had suffered very heavy casualties on the Eastern front. Ceded land and resources to Germany. End of war on the Eastern front.

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The Course of the WarThe Course of the WarMarch 1918:With the end of the war on the Eastern front, Germany redeployed its troops there to the Western front and launched a massive offensive there.

June 1918:Large numbers of fresh USA troops started arriving on the war front.

July 1918:Germany could not sustain its offensive on the Western front as its resources were depleted due to the two-front war between 1914 and 1918.

August 1918:Allied forces counter-attacked.

October 1918:The Germans were forced to retreat.

Turkey and Austria-Hungary pulled out of the war, leaving Germany as the lone Central Power in the war. Germany was fighting a losing battle.

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The Course of the WarThe Course of the War November 1918: November 1918: The Kaiser was The Kaiser was

overthrown in a revolt.overthrown in a revolt. Germany became a Germany became a republicrepublic. . Its new leaders asked for an Its new leaders asked for an armisticearmistice

and was granted that on 11 November and was granted that on 11 November 1918. 1918.

World War I was over.World War I was over.

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Millions of Millions of dead, dead,

wounded or wounded or homeless homeless

peoplepeople

Four Four empires empires broke upbroke up

Self-Self-determination determination

became became popularpopular

New nation-New nation-states were states were

set upset up

New New boundaries boundaries

created created problemsproblems

World World economy economy damageddamaged

What was What was the world the world like after like after


Changes to Changes to societysociety

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Millions of dead, wounded or homeless people

Nearly 8 million soldiers killed.Nearly 8 million soldiers killed.

Millions of young men wounded and Millions of young men wounded and permanently disabled by gas or exploding permanently disabled by gas or exploding shells.shells.

Many others suffered from post-war Many others suffered from post-war trauma.trauma.

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Millions of dead, wounded or homeless peopleCasualty Figures from World War I

57,000750,000

1,800,0001,700,000

1,400,000

FranceGermanyRussiaBritainAmerica

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Millions of dead, wounded or homeless people

Millions of displaced refugees who had Millions of displaced refugees who had lost almost everything.lost almost everything.

Poor living conditions, lack of food and Poor living conditions, lack of food and spread of disease.spread of disease.

Many more killed due to diseases.Many more killed due to diseases.

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Four empires broke up Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman

Empire and Russia broke up into smaller Empire and Russia broke up into smaller countries.countries. Many ethnic groups set up their own nations.Many ethnic groups set up their own nations.

Former colonies of German and Ottoman Former colonies of German and Ottoman Empires administered by Allied Powers Empires administered by Allied Powers until they were ready for self-government.until they were ready for self-government.

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Self-determination became popular

Self-determination and self-government Self-determination and self-government championed as a principle of peace.championed as a principle of peace.

Austro-Hungarian Austro-Hungarian EmpireEmpire

Czechoslovakia Hungary

Self-determination Self-determination

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New nation-states were set up

NationalismNationalism

Yugoslavia

Lithuania

Latvia

Estonia

Poland Hungary

Many new Many new countries were countries were set up because set up because of nationalism.of nationalism.

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New boundaries created problems

Although new nation-states were formed, Although new nation-states were formed, ethnic groups did not get to form nations of ethnic groups did not get to form nations of ethnic uniformity.ethnic uniformity.

Many ethnic minorities lived within the Many ethnic minorities lived within the borders of newly-created states.borders of newly-created states.

These new borders caused ethnic tension.These new borders caused ethnic tension.

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World economy damaged World trade disrupted.World trade disrupted. Resources of great powers depleted.Resources of great powers depleted. Farms, factories and industrial areas destroyed Farms, factories and industrial areas destroyed

no production. no production. Infrastructure destroyed Infrastructure destroyed lengthy restoration. lengthy restoration. Massive unemployment.Massive unemployment. Countries cash-strapped, saddled with huge Countries cash-strapped, saddled with huge

debts.debts.

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Changes to society Divisions in society were heightened.Divisions in society were heightened.

The war brought to the fore differences between two opposing camps of society — pacifists and militarists.

The horrors of war tilted some groups more towards pacifismpacifism.

But other groups became even more fiercely inclined towards militarismmilitarism. They felt this was the best way to protect their country against invasion and annexation.

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Changes to society Disillusionment with existing system.Disillusionment with existing system.

Segments of society lost faith in the existing Segments of society lost faith in the existing system of government.system of government.

Looked for alternative social ideologies.Looked for alternative social ideologies.

CommunismCommunism emerged. emerged.

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Changes to society Changes to the position of women.Changes to the position of women.

Many males in the families were killed in the Many males in the families were killed in the war.war.

Women’s responsibilities increased.Women’s responsibilities increased. Women’s expectations about their role in Women’s expectations about their role in

society also changed society also changed equal rights, equal equal rights, equal opportunities.opportunities.

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Changes to society Changes to the position of workers.Changes to the position of workers.

Working class given right to vote in Working class given right to vote in recognition of its contributions to the war recognition of its contributions to the war expansion of electorate.expansion of electorate.

Increasing support for government welfare Increasing support for government welfare programmes such as state-provided programmes such as state-provided healthcare and education.healthcare and education.

Greater expectation for equality with middle Greater expectation for equality with middle class and upper class.class and upper class.

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Millions of Millions of dead, dead,

wounded or wounded or homeless homeless

peoplepeople

Four Four empires empires broke upbroke up

Self-Self-determination determination

became became popularpopular

New nation-New nation-states were states were

set upset up

New New boundaries boundaries

created created problemsproblems

World World economy economy damageddamaged

What was What was the world the world like after like after


Changes to Changes to societysociety

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Homeless people:There were numerous displaced refugees who had lost almost everything.

What does this picture tell you about What does this picture tell you about the impact of World War I?the impact of World War I?

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Destroyed infrastructure: A lengthy restoration was required and the economy was damaged.

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Changes to position of women in society: They expected equal rights, equal opportunities.

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Unemployment: Many jobs were displaced by the war.

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SummarySummaryWorld War I

Major countries involved

Causes

Impact

Political

Economic

Social

Central Powers

Allied Powers

• Powerful countries.• Competition for colonies.• Arms and naval race.• Alliance system.• Strong nationalism.• Assassination of Archduke of

Austria-Hungary.

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SummarySummary

• Germany• Austria-Hungary• Ottoman Turkey

• Britain• France• Serbia• Russia (until 1917)• Italy (from May 1915)• USA (fought as an Associated Power from 1917)

Major countries involved

Central Powers

Allied Powers

Back to main summary

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SummarySummary• Old empires broke up.• Creation of new nations and

nation-states.• Ethnic tension due to new

borders.• Self-determination by

countries formerly ruled by empires.

• Farmland and industrial areas destroyed no more production.

• Infrastructure destroyed.• World trade disrupted.• Massive unemployment.• Countries saddled with huge debts.

• Divisions in society heightened.• Emergence of Communism.• Changes to the position of

women and workers.

Impact

Political

Economic

Social

Back to main summary

Impact of WorldWar I

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