The 7 Consequences of the First World War

The Consequences of World War I Refer to the profound changes that generated the first major warfare that man lived.

The number of deaths and the level of destruction that was experienced between the years 1914 and 1918 when the First World War spread were unprecedented in the history of man. Also, its consequences were so great, that it could be said that today there are sequels.

First world war cemetery

In addition, all the events that occurred in World War I laid the foundation for the development of World War II. The following are the main causes and consequences of the so-called"Great War":

Consequences of the First World War

1- Death and destruction

During the course of the war, 8 million soldiers died in total and 9 million civilians. In addition, the bombings destroyed 300,000 houses, 6000 factories, 1000 miles of train lines and 112 coal mines. In military terms, 12 million tons of ships were sunk.

These numbers increase if we consider the tremendous physical and psychological damage suffered by millions of people, including soldiers and civilians, during the war.

Even within these data we can consider that the terms on which Germany had to surrender were those that provoked the uprising of Hitler a few years later. Many historians consider that the war never ended, that is, it was only a long cease-fire until the beginning of the next.

2- Economic consequences

The war was a significant economic cost to the nations that participated in it. Germany and Britain spent about 60 percent of what their economy produced, having to raise taxes and borrow money from citizens.

Money was also printed to buy weapons and other inputs needed for battles, which contributed to the generation of inflation.

The war also generated trade restrictions, which were exacerbated by exaggerated protectionist policies adopted by countries. This generated a globalized breakdown of the world economic system, with disastrous consequences such as the Great Depression in 1929.

3- Appearance of new ideological currents

With the collapse of Russia under the pressure of war, the revolutionary socialists increased their power, making communist ideology an important force within Europe.

Although the global revolution that Lenin expected never arrived, the presence of a great communist nation in Europe like Russia, with a marked authoritarianism, changed the balance between Asia and Europe.

At first, Germany leaned toward Russia, but later formed its own new social democracy.

4- The end of the monarchies

World War I ended four major monarchies: that of Tsar Nicholas II in Russia, after which the War communism , The reign of the Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany, the monarchy of Emperor Charles of Austria and the reign of the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.

5- Emergence of new countries

From the old empires emerged new countries, for example, the Austro-Hungarian Empire that was divided in a number of independent states. Russia and Germany turned over land to Poland.

Thus the countries of the Middle East were under the control of Britain and France, while what was left of the Ottoman Empire became Turkey.

6- Social Effects

World War I generated major social changes, birth rates abruptly fell by the death of millions of young men. In addition to this, many citizens lost their homes and had to flee to other countries.

The role of women also changed, as they had to replace men in offices and industries. In this line, the rights of women, such as the right to vote, began to increase.

High social classes ceased to play such a dominant role in society as the middle and lower classes began to claim their rights after the war.

7- Lost a generation

Some historians consider that a complete generation was lost when so many young soldiers died. In addition, more than 7 million men were completely disabled to continue their lives normally due to the aftermath of the war.

Wounds to people were not only physical - mutilation, burns and facial damage - but also psychological, leaving a high cost in indirect consequences, much more than any previous war in history.

There was also a sense of disillusionment and distrust of political figures. It began a process of a bitter acceptance of reality, instead of the optimistic dreams that had existed previously.

Causes of World War I

The 7 Consequences of the First World War

Historians still do not reach consensus on what the real causes of World War I were. Although one antecedent to consider is the increasing power that Germany had that generated instability in the balance of powers between the nations of Europe.

As a consequence, this caused the following countries to form military alliances:

  • The Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria and Italy.
  • The Triple Entente: France, Great Britain and Russia.

With this in mind, we can consider that the causes of the war were the following:

  • Nationalism: All countries sought to strengthen their own interests.
  • Imperialism: European nations were forming empires and they began to enter into conflict.
  • Alliances: The two most important alliances - the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente - were created to prevent war. An alliance of this kind is currently considered to endanger only the lives of citizens in order to maintain their prestige.
  • Militarism: Many countries thought that having large armies and powerful armies was fundamental.

However, the fact that he pulled the trigger for the outbreak of the First War was the assassination of the archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria on June 28, 1914. Austria declared war on Serbia and the countries took their alliances to the conflict.

In August, Germany invaded France through Belgium, which began the trench war between the two countries. From then on, the war on the western front consisted of a deadly stagnation, where one side tried to defeat the other side.

It was in 1917 that the United States entered the conflict. Before their arrival, the Germans attacked in March 1918, but were repulsed in August of the same year, forcing them To sign the acquaintance Treaty of Versailles In November 1918 that ended the confrontation.

References

  1. The Horrid Economic Consequences of World War I - We Still Suffer From Them. Retrieved from Forbes.com.
  2. The First World War. Retrieved from bbc.co.uk.
  3. Consequences of the war. Retrieved from english-online.at.
  4. Consequences of World War One. Retrieved from thoughtco.com.
  5. The Global Effect of World War I. Retrieved from gilderlehrman.org.
  6. Lessons and Consequences of World War I: Back to the future? Andrew Korubko. Retrieved from voltairenet.org.
  7. The Great War-Effects. Suzane Karpilovsky, Maria Fogel, Olivia Kob Elt. Retrieved from ibatpv.org.

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