FIRST WORLD WAR-1914-1918

1. ADARSHA LAW COLLEGEBalasamudram- HANAMKONDA Paper-2: Unit-I: Topics-4 FIRST WORLD WAR (WW): Causes and Consequences Dr. M. ANJAIAH, Faculty of Political Science M.A.,M.Phil. Ph.D. NET (1992 &93) (Pol.Sci.) , MLISc, SLET, Ph.D. (Lib.Sci.) PGDLAN, B.Ed, M.A. (Ph.D). (Pub.Adm.) _ Date: 16th May, 2025 Time: 10.10 to 11.00 A.M. Email ID: anjaiahlib@gmail.com Mobile : 9398917228

2. INTRODUCTION • The First World War (WW) was the first truly global conflict. WW I , also known as the `The Great War`. • The origins of the first WW I can be traced back to the end of the 19th century, which witnessed an increasing rivalry between several European countries. • From 1914 to 1918, fighting took place across several continents, at sea and, for the first time, in the air. • It involved the main powers of Europe, along with Russia, the United States, the Middle East, and other regions.  • After the Unification of Germany and other European countries, especially Britain and France alarmed by its ascent as an economic superpower.

3. Around this time, new nations in the Balkans emerged as a result of the Ottoman Empire's disintegration. • Serbia was one such country, that was expanding its territory and influence at the price of the Austrian-Hungarian empire. • This caused the Austro-Hungarian Empire to join forces with Italy and Germany to defend one another in order to fight this threat as well as any foreseeable ones. • In response, the Triple Entente was established with the same goals by Britain, France, and Russia. • Germany and Britain both improved and grew their fleets of battleships throughout the 1900s. • The majority of European nations possessed war-ready militaries by 1914. To start it, only a spark was required. • And when Archduke Franz Ferdinand was murdered in Sarajevo, Bosnia, on June 28, 1914, this act served as the ignition.

4. The Austrian-Hungarian heir, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated by Serb nationalist GavriloPrincip, who was demonstrating in Bosnia against Austria-Hungarian rule. • Russia raised an army to defend Serbia after Austria-Hungary waged a war on it. • Germany, in response, launched a war on both France and Russia. • A sizable German force invaded Belgium's sovereignty by marching through it on its way to conquer France. • Britain was drawn into the conflict as a result of its 1830 commitment to defend Belgium in the event of an assault.

6. CausesofWorldWarI

7. Causes of World War(WW) -I 1. N-Nationalism 2. I-Imperialism 3. M-Militarism 4. A-Alliances 5. Assassination of Fernandez

8. There was no single event that led to WWI. • The war happened because of several different events that took place in the years building up to 1914. • The New International Expansionist Policy of Germany: In 1890 the new emperor of Germany, Wilhelm II, began an international policy that sought to turn his country into a world power. • Germany was seen as a threat by the other powers and destabilized the international situation.

9. MUTUAL DEFENSE ALLIANCES: • Countries throughout Europe made Mutual Defense Agreements. • These treaties meant that if one country was attacked, allied countries were bound to defend them. • The Triple Alliance-1882 linking Germany with Austria-Hungary and Italy. • The Triple Entente,which was made up of Britain, France, and Russia, concluded by 1907. Thus, there were two rival groups in Europe.

10. ALLIANCE SYSTEM: • 1. Triple Entente or Allies: • Britain, France, Russia • 2. TRIPLE ALLIANCE or Central Powers: • Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy • (plus Ottoman Empire)

11. Central Powers Germany Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire Bulgaria Countries located in the “center” of Europe Allied Powers Russia France Great Britain Japan Italy (leaves the Tr. All. & joins Allies)

14. 1. Nationalism • Much of the origin of the war was based on the desire of the Slavic peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina to no longer be part of Austria Hungary, but instead be part of Serbia. • The desire of the Slavic populations in Herzegovina and Bosnia to join Serbia rather than Austria-Hungary was a major factor at the beginning of the conflict. • In this way, Nationalism led to the War.

15. Many Nations With different Cultures, languages and Histories; • Concentration of Slaves- A Common Heritage-With Some Cultural Heritage Similarities; • Slave means, Its is a kind of category, Like…Hispanic and Arab; • Germanic; • Russia is also a Slavic Nation; • Powder Keg of Europe.

16. The "Powder Keg of Europe, means, the Balkans region in the early 20th century, particularly before World War I. It was a metaphorical term describing the high level of political instability and tensions in the area. The region was characterized by competing nationalistic aspirations, ethnic conflicts, and the vying for influence of major European powers.

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18. A Restless Region • New Nation of Serbia made up largely of Slavs • Austria-Hungary annexes Slavic region Bosnia and Herzegovina (1908) • Serbia outraged, sees itself as rightful ruler of Slavic lands • A Shot Rings Throughout Europe • Serbian rebel kills Austro-Hungarian royal official in June 1914 • Austria declares war on Serbia; Russia comes to aid of Serbia.

19. ASSASINATION PLUNGES EUROPE INTOWAR • Armies on the March • Russian troops to borders with Austria/Germany • Great Britain Declares War on Germany • Germany declares War on Russia.

21. The Ottoman Empire, also known as the Turkish Empire, was a powerful Islamic state controlling vast territories in Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa for over six centuries.  • Led by a Sultan who held both religious and political authority, the empire was a significant force on the world stage. 

22. 2. IMPERIALISM • Nations Come Into Conflict Defending “Their” Colonies Around The World • Strong Nations seek to dominate other countries Politically, Economically, & Socially. • Before World War I, Africa and some parts of Asia were points of contention among the European countries, because selling of their raw materials and finished goods also. • The increasing competition and desire for greater empires led to an increase in the confrontation that helped push the world into World War I. • A rise in conflict contributed to the outbreak of World War I as a result of growing rivalry and the ambition for larger empires.

23. 3. Militarization • An arms race started as the world entered the 20th century. Germany experienced the largest rise in its military expansion by 1914. • During this time, both Germany and Great Britain significantly grew their warships. • The militarization of the world contributed to the countries involved going to war.

24. Militarism • Militarism—definition: Development & Glorification Of a standing Army • Issues: • COST of DEFENDING • COLONIES leads to HUGE military spending General Hindenburg, Emperor Wilhelm II (the Kaiser) and General Ludendorff • Feel need to use military • nations have built up. By 1890, Germany has biggest army in Europethen begins NAVAL ARMS RACE in England NEXT

25. WarintheTrenches • Trench warfare • Battles = many deaths, small land gains • Life in trenches is miserable, difficult, unsanitary • New weapons only lead to more deaths • Russia Struggles • Russia’s war effort suffering by 1916; many casualties, few supplies • Huge size of Russian army keeps it formidable

27. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand: • Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in June 1914 while visiting Sarajevo in Bosnia. Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the successor to the monarchy of Austria-Hungary. • He was murdered by a Serbian who believed that Serbia ought to rule Bosnia rather than Austria. • Austria-Hungary formally declared war when its leader was shot.

28. TheAssassination • Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of A-H, and his wife Sophie weretraveling to Sarajevo, a Slavic city close to the Serbian border.FF was shot point-blank by a 19-year old Slav, Gavrilo Princip A-H used this as an excuse to impose drastic demands and declare war on Serbia!

29. Phases of World War I (1914-1918) • WW I divided into three phases: the opening campaigns (1914), the stalemate and attrition (1915-1917), and the tide turns (1917-1918). • Phase-I: The fight grew on a number of fronts in Africa, Asia, and Europe. • Phase-II: There were two primary events; • The Western Front, at which the Germans fought against Britain, and France, and, after 1917, the United States • First Phase-III: The Eastern Front, at which the Russians engaged in combat with the Germans and Austro-Hungarians.

30. The Western Front was stabilized German advance in 1914, and the "WAR OF ATTRITION"—protracted and terrible trench warfare—began. • German advances on the Eastern Front were tentative at best. • Two developments in 1917 altered the trajectory of the war: the United States allied with the Allies and Russia. • Finally, German advance in the springtime of 1918, the Allied assault was successful in causing the German army to make a swift withdrawal. • The armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, as a result of the defeat of Germany's allies and the German Revolution that deposed Wilhelm II as Emperor. • This brought about the end of World War I.

32. India In World War I • It is frequently forgotten that India's contribution to Britain and its allies' victory over Germany. • As a British colony, India provided numerous soldiers to the World War I battle in Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. • Both on the Western Front and in East Africa, the Indian Army engaged in combat with the German Empire. • They served in numerous locations including Belgium, France, Gallipoli, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Sinai, and Palestine.

33. Over 70,000 Indian soldiers who fought for the British in World War I perished (loosed their life). • As per Sir Claude Auchinleck, who served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, Britain couldn't have survived the wars without the Indian Army. • India gave to Britain 100 million British Pounds to pay for their war in exchange for dominion status and home rule. • The British used taxation measures to gather soldiers and money from India as well as substantial amounts of food, currency, and weapons. • In exchange, the British promised India self-rule at the end of the war, but this promise was never kept.

35. CostsofWar • 10 million soldiers died as a result of the war • 21 million were wounded • Countless civilians died from starvation, disease, or from the war • “Next Generation” - their new ideas and promise of a new future are killed off. • Economic impact—HUGE financial cost ($338 billion!) – Farmland, homes, villages, towns destroyed

36. Consequences of the war

37. ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES: • World War I cost the participating countries a lot of money. • Germany and Great Britain spent about 60% of the money their economy produced. • Countries had to raise taxes and borrow money from their citizens. • They also printed money in order to buy weapons and other things they needed for war. • This led to inflation after the war.

38. POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES: World War I brought an end to Four Monarchies: • Czar Nicholas II of Russia, Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany, Emperor Charles of Austria and the sultan of the Ottoman Empire had to step down. • New Countries Were Created Out Of Old Empires. • Austria- Hungary was carved up into a number of independent states. • Russia and Germany gave land to Poland. • Countries in the Middle East were put under the control of Great Britain and France.

39. TREATY OF VERSAILLES • 28th June, 1919, World War I officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles between Germany and the Allied Powers. • The Treaty of Versailles was an attempt to prevent the world from going into another war. • This treaty, imposed harsh terms on Germany, including financial reparations, territorial losses, and disarmament.  TERRITORIAL CLAUSES: • France regained Alsace and Lorraine • Eupen and Malmedy, two German districts, were transferred to Belgium as a result of the Treaty of Versailles, which concluded World War I. • This transfer was confirmed by the League of Nations in 1920.

40. Eastern territories were annexed by Poland which caused East Prussia to become territorially isolated. • Danzig and Memel, former Baltic German cities were declared free cities • Denmark annexed northern Schleswig-Holstein • GERMANY LOST ALL OF ITS COLONIES AND THE VICTORS ANNEXED THEM. • This treaty, helped fuel the rise of the Nazi Party and World War II.

41. Military Clauses/ Military Restrictions: • Germany's military was drastically reduced, including the prohibition of an air force, a limited navy, and a smaller army.  • Drastic limitation of the German Navy. • Dramatic reduction of the Army (only 100,000 troops, prohibition of having tanks, aircraft and heavy artillery). • De-militarization of the Rhineland region of Germany.

42. Creation of the League of Nations: • The League of Nations was created with this treaty. • The primary objective of the League of Nations was-to prevent future wars and; • promote international cooperation by settling disputes through peaceful means like, negotiation and arbitration; • This included- promoting disarmament, collective security, and improving global welfare. 

43. The League of Nations headquarters were based from 1 November 1920 in the Palais Wilson in Geneva, Switzerland, and from 17 February 1936 in the purpose built Palace of Nations, also in Geneva.

44. Peace of Unjust Punishment: • The treaty was criticized as a "Peace Of Unjust Punishment" for Germany. 

45. CONCLUSION • The First World War saw the Entente Powers - led by France, Russia, the British Empire, and; • later Italy (from 1915) and the United States (from 1917) - defeat the Central Powers - led by the German, Austro-Hungarian, Bulgarian and Ottoman Empires. • Russia withdrew from the war after the revolution there in 1917. • The WWI described as the “Worst Disaster To Western mankind since the Black Death”.