World War I: Causes, Key Events, and Peace Treaties
The First World War (1914-1918)
Causes of World War I
The origins of the war stemmed from the following causes:
- Territorial conflicts facing various countries (France, Russia, Italy).
- National conflicts facing the nationalities of the great empires.
- Economic rivalries: Growing with the rise of industrial Germany, seen as a threat by the British and French economies. This rivalry stemmed from colonial expansion.
- The arms race during an armed peace and the formation of two systems of military alliances (Triple Entente).
This situation meant that any conflict could become widespread, reaching international dimensions.
The Trigger and the Contending Countries
The trigger of the war was the assassination in Sarajevo of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian nationalist student. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. This triggered the system of alliances between countries, and a worldwide dispute broke out.
The War’s Contending Groups: Two Partnerships
- The Central Powers: Germany and Austria-Hungary. Italy initially joined them but remained neutral and then sided with the Allies.
- Allies (Entente): Great Britain, France, Russia, and Serbia. From 1917, the U.S. joined the bloc.
Characteristics of the War
The First World War had characteristics that differed from previous wars:
- Achieved great territorial extension.
- New weapons, new defensive systems, and new forms of struggle such as psychological warfare were utilized.
- Promoted economic and social change (women in the workforce).
The Stages of the War
The war lasted more than 4 years (1914-1918) and went through several stages:
- The War of Movement (1914): Germany sought a quick victory over France to then defeat Russia. The plan failed, forcing them to send troops to the Eastern Front.
- Trench Warfare (1915-1916): The front stabilized along an immense line of trenches. Offensives were launched that caused many casualties but failed to significantly advance the fronts.
- The Changes of 1917: Russia withdrew from the war, allowing Germany to concentrate its army against France. This was offset by the entry of the U.S. on the side of the Allies.
- The End of the War (1918): An offensive by the Allies on all fronts caused the progressive surrender of the Central Powers. The war ended when Germany signed an armistice, Emperor William II abdicated, and a republic was proclaimed.
Peace Treaties
Peace in Paris (1919-1920)
In 1918, the U.S. President enunciated 14 points on which to build peace.
At the Paris Peace Conference, peace was organized guided by Wilson’s proposals. Five treaties were signed, a new map of Europe was designed, and the League of Nations was created.
- Versailles Treaty: Signed with Germany, holding them responsible for the war and imposing the payment of reparations, the reduction of its army to 100,000 men, and the return of lost territories to France. Germany was humiliated.
New Map of Europe
New states emerged (Poland, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania), and territorial secessions were carried out.
The League of Nations
Based in Geneva (Switzerland), it was conceived as an international body to promote cooperation for peace and security. It was born with serious limitations.