World War I: Causes, Conflicts, and Consequences
The late 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed intense global competition among major powers, setting the stage for World War I.
Imperialism and Colonial Rivalry
Great Britain held significant global power during the Victorian era. Germany’s unification was delayed, leading to intense protectionism. Germany needed to secure resources and conquer external markets. This aggressive attitude fueled colonial expansion, both economically and politically.
Authoritarian Regimes and Internal Conflicts
Germany’s authoritarian regime, led by Kaiser Wilhelm and Chancellor Bismarck, faced challenges from France. Russia, still under the Tsarist regime, remained a vast, evolving country. Austria-Hungary grappled with significant internal problems. Japan’s late industrialization drove its expansionist policies to acquire primary resources. The United States focused on westward expansion.
The Formation of Alliances
Economic classifications and colonial rivalries led to the formation of international alliances:
- Triple Alliance (1882): Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy
- Triple Entente (1907): France, Russia, Great Britain
An arms race, particularly in naval and air power, intensified the atmosphere of armed peace.
The Spark: Balkan Conflicts
The immediate cause of the war was the conflict in the Balkans. The decline of the Ottoman Empire led to independence movements in the region.
The Course of the War
Initial plans for a swift victory failed, leading to a prolonged war of attrition. The war became characterized by trench warfare, with devastating battles like Verdun and the Somme. Germany’s submarine warfare aimed to disrupt enemy economies. Russia’s internal struggles led to the Russian Revolution in 1917, and Lenin signed a peace treaty with Germany. The United States entered the war in April 1917, bolstering the Allied forces.
Consequences of the War
The Treaty of Versailles resulted in significant territorial changes, including the independence of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Demographic and Social Changes
The war accelerated the incorporation of women into the workforce and political sphere.
Economic Consequences
The United States emerged as a leading world power.
Political Restructuring
The German and Austro-Hungarian empires dissolved, replaced by republics.
The Russian Revolution
The February Revolution led to the creation of the Red Army. The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, seized power in October, establishing a communist state.
The Rise of Fascism
Fascism emerged as a dictatorial ideology in Europe between 1929 and 1939, rejecting democracy and promoting autarky in response to worker revolutions.