General Course and conclusion of World War One

Crisis and ConflictCrisis and Conflict
Chapter 1: Impact ofChapter 1: Impact of
World War IWorld War I
An Enquiry Approach to Modern World HistoryAn Enquiry Approach to Modern World History
Secondary 3Secondary 3

2
Crisis and Conflict: Impact of World War I Copyright
2006
Did World War I change the world?Did World War I change the 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 Nutshell
When 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 million
Civilians or people who were not
soldiers: 6 million
World War I
World 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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PowerfulPowerful
countriescountries
CompetitionCompetition
for coloniesfor colonies
Arms andArms and
naval racenaval race
AlliancesAlliances
among theamong the
greatgreat
powerspowers
StrongStrong
feelings offeelings of
nationalismnationalism
AssassinatioAssassinatio
n ofn of
Archduke ofArchduke of
Austria-Austria-
HungaryHungary
What wasWhat was
the worldthe world
like beforelike before
World War I?World War I?

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2006
Powerful countries
 BritainBritain  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 toDifferent ethnic groups often attempted to
break away to form own nation-states.break away to form own nation-states.
 GermanyGermany  Economy grew rapidly after 1871Economy 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 theEmpire stretched from Europe to the
TurkeyTurkey Middle East and Asia.Middle East and Asia.
 Central government too weak to control allCentral 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Austria-Hungary:
• Large, unstable and divided
empire.
• Different ethnic groups often
attempted to break away to
form their own nation-states.
BackBack

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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 manufacturedgain access to markets for manufactured
goods.goods.

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Competition for colonies
 Britain andBritain and
France alreadyFrance already
in control ofin control of
most of Africamost of Africa
and Asia.and Asia.
 Very little left forVery little left for
Germany.Germany.
 Competition forCompetition for
colonies.colonies.
BackBack

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Germany
Austria-
Hungary
Arms and naval race
 Germany’s ambition to expand army and navy toGermany’s ambition to expand army and navy to
rival its enemies.rival its enemies.
 Powerful military as bargaining voice, braggingPowerful 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 threatBritain, France and Russia felt the threat
posed by an ambitious Germany.posed by an ambitious Germany.
 Also increased army and navy to maintainAlso 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
403,000 380,000
302,000
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
302,000
381,000
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
1870
1914
BackBack

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Alliances among the
great powers
19071907
(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 deterThe great powers thought that forming alliances could deter
countries from starting a war. This was because such a war wouldcountries from starting a war. This was because such a war would
not be easy to win as it would quickly escalate as more countriesnot 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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Alliances among the
great powers
 Instead, these alliances meant that a war between two countriesInstead, 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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Alliances among the
great powers
 Because of the Triple Entente, GermanyBecause of the Triple Entente, Germany
hatched the Schlieffen Plan.hatched the Schlieffen Plan.
 Plan would prevent Germany from having toPlan would prevent Germany from having to
fight the Allied Powers onfight the Allied Powers on two frontstwo fronts in thein 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 FrancePivotal action of the Plan was to defeat France
withwith 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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BackBack
Germany risked having to fight theGermany risked having to fight the
Allied Powers on both theAllied Powers on both the Eastern frontEastern front
and theand the Western frontWestern front..
The Schlieffen Plan called forThe Schlieffen Plan called for
surprise occupation of neutralsurprise occupation of neutral
Belgium and lightning attack andBelgium 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 forinspired plans for
creation of larger Serbian state (Serbiacreation of larger Serbian state (Serbia
and Bosnia).and Bosnia).
 Austria-Hungary threatened by prospect ofAustria-Hungary threatened by prospect of
larger Serbian statelarger Serbian state south of its bordersouth of its border..

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

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Strong feelings of nationalism
 19081908  Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia.Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia.
 Many Slavs decided to set upMany Slavs decided to set up secretsecret
societiessocieties  goal was to force Austria-goal was to force Austria-
Hungary out of Bosnia.Hungary out of Bosnia.
 Russians were also SlavsRussians were also Slavs  protectiveprotective
towards fellow Slavs in the Balkans.towards fellow Slavs in the Balkans.
 Opposed to Austria-Hungary’s attempts toOpposed to Austria-Hungary’s attempts to
prevent spread of Serbian nationalism.prevent spread of Serbian nationalism.
BackBack

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Assassination of Archduke of
Austria-Hungary
 28 June 191428 June 1914  Archduke FranzArchduke Franz
Ferdinand, heir apparent to the throne ofFerdinand, heir apparent to the throne of
Austria-Hungary, was shot in Bosnia.Austria-Hungary, was shot in Bosnia.
 Killer was member of ‘Black Hand’, aKiller was member of ‘Black Hand’, a
secret society based in Serbia.secret society based in Serbia.
 The perfect excuse for Austria-Hungary toThe 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.
BackBack

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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 forCompetition for
colonies?colonies?
Arms and navalArms and naval
race?race?
Alliances among theAlliances among the
great powers?great powers?
Strong feelings ofStrong feelings of
nationalism?nationalism?
Assassination ofAssassination of
Archduke ofArchduke of
Austria-Hungary?Austria-Hungary?
Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

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What really causedWhat really caused
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 theSchlieffen Plan did not materialise as planned for the
Germans.Germans.
 By the end ofBy the end of
1914, both1914, both
sides stuck in asides stuck in a
stalematestalemate ofof
bloody trenchbloody trench
warfare.warfare.
 Little landLittle land
gained butgained but
heavyheavy
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 wereThe 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 aLong lines of trenches dug from Belgium to the Swiss border ensured both sides got stuck in a
fruitless yet bloody trench warfarefruitless yet bloody trench warfare
–– a stalemate.a stalemate.
In 1914, the Germans failed to evenIn 1914, the Germans failed to even
reach Paris. The Schlieffen Plan hadreach Paris. The Schlieffen Plan had
collapsed. They were drawn into acollapsed. They were drawn into a
two-front wartwo-front war..

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November 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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March 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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 November 1918:November 1918: The Kaiser wasThe Kaiser was
overthrown in a revolt.overthrown in a revolt.
 Germany became aGermany became a republicrepublic..
 Its new leaders asked for anIts new leaders asked for an armisticearmistice
and was granted that on 11 Novemberand was granted that on 11 November
1918.1918.
 World War I was over.World War I was over.

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Millions ofMillions of
dead,dead,
wounded orwounded or
homelesshomeless
peoplepeople
FourFour
empiresempires
broke upbroke up
Self-Self-
determinationdetermination
becamebecame
popularpopular
New nation-New nation-
states werestates were
set upset up
NewNew
boundariesboundaries
createdcreated
problemsproblems
WorldWorld
economyeconomy
damageddamaged
What wasWhat was
the worldthe world
like afterlike after
Changes toChanges 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 andMillions of young men wounded and
permanently disabled by gas or explodingpermanently disabled by gas or exploding
shells.shells.
 Many others suffered from post-warMany others suffered from post-war
trauma.trauma.

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homeless people
Casualty Figures from World War I
57,000
750,000
1,800,000
1,700,000
1,400,000
France
Germany
Russia
Britain
America

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homeless people
 Millions of displaced refugees who hadMillions of displaced refugees who had
lost almost everything.lost almost everything.
 Poor living conditions, lack of food andPoor living conditions, lack of food and
spread of disease.spread of disease.
 Many more killed due to diseases.Many more killed due to diseases.
BackBack

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Four empires broke up
 Germany, Austria-Hungary, the OttomanGermany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman
Empire and Russia broke up into smallerEmpire 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 OttomanFormer colonies of German and Ottoman
Empires administered by Allied PowersEmpires administered by Allied Powers
until they were ready for self-government.until they were ready for self-government.
BackBack

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Self-determination became
popular
 Self-determination and self-governmentSelf-determination and self-government
championed as a principle of peace.championed as a principle of peace.
Austro-HungarianAustro-Hungarian
EmpireEmpire
Czechoslovaki
a
Hungary
Self-determination Self-determination
BackBack

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New nation-states were set up
NationalismNationalism
Yugoslavia
Lithuania
Latvia
Estonia
Poland Hungary
Many newMany new
countries werecountries were
set up becauseset up because
of nationalism.of nationalism.
BackBack

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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 nationsethnic groups did not get to form nations
of ethnic uniformity.of ethnic uniformity.
 Many ethnic minorities lived within theMany 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.
BackBack

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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 destroyedFarms, factories and industrial areas destroyed
 no production.no production.
 Infrastructure destroyedInfrastructure destroyed  lengthy restoration.lengthy restoration.
 Massive unemployment.Massive unemployment.
 Countries cash-strapped, saddled with hugeCountries cash-strapped, saddled with huge
debts.debts.
BackBack

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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 existingSegments 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 theMany males in the families were killed in the
war.war.

Women’s responsibilities increased.Women’s responsibilities increased.

Women’s expectations about their role inWomen’s expectations about their role in
society also changedsociety also changed  equal rights, equalequal 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 inWorking class given right to vote in
recognition of its contributions to the warrecognition of its contributions to the war 
expansion of electorate.expansion of electorate.

Increasing support for government welfareIncreasing support for government welfare
programmes such as state-providedprogrammes such as state-provided
healthcare and education.healthcare and education.

Greater expectation for equality with middleGreater expectation for equality with middle
class and upper class.class and upper class.
BackBack

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2006
Millions ofMillions of
dead,dead,
wounded orwounded or
homelesshomeless
peoplepeople
FourFour
empiresempires
broke upbroke up
Self-Self-
determinationdetermination
becamebecame
popularpopular
New nation-New nation-
states werestates were
set upset up
NewNew
boundariesboundaries
createdcreated
problemsproblems
WorldWorld
economyeconomy
damageddamaged
What wasWhat was
the worldthe world
like afterlike after
Changes toChanges to
societysociety

48
2006
Homeless people:
There were numerous
displaced refugees who
had lost almost everything.
What does this picture tell you aboutWhat does this picture tell you about
the impact of World War I?the impact of World War I?

49
2006
Destroyed infrastructure:
A lengthy restoration was
required and the economy
was damaged.

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2006
Changes to position of
women in society:
They expected equal
rights, equal
opportunities.

51
2006
Unemployment:
Many jobs were
displaced by the war.

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SummarySummary
World 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.

53
2006
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

54
2006
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

General Course and conclusion of World War One

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General Course and conclusion of World War One