World War I: Causes, Participants, Phases, and Effects
Causes of War
- France wanted to recover the region of Alsace-Lorraine.
- The Austro-Hungarian Empire occupied and then annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina, leading to nationalist protests by Serbians living in Bosnia and angering Russia (Serbia’s traditional ally).
- Industrialized European countries expanded their empires and competed for control of colonies, especially in North Africa.
- Britain and Germany engaged in a naval arms race, building powerful new battleships known as dreadnoughts.
The Alliances
- The Triple Alliance: German Empire, Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Italy.
- The Triple Entente: Great Britain, France, and Russian Empire.
Participants in the War
The Central Powers
The Austro-Hungarian Empire was supported by the German Empire, Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria. Italy initially joined the Triple Alliance but in 1915 joined the Allied Powers to acquire territory belonging to the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The Allied Powers
Serbia was supported by the Russian Empire, France, and Great Britain, later joined by Japan, Romania, the US, Greece, and Portugal.
Phases of the War
Initial German Offensives (1914)
The German Empire launched several rapid offensives, invading neutral Belgium and northern France.
The War and New Allies (1915-1917)
In 1915, the Western Front between Germany and the Allies stabilized, marking the beginning of trench warfare. In 1917, the US entered the war in support of the Allies.
Allied Victories and the Armistice (1918)
Russia withdrew from the war, but the Allies achieved numerous victories in both the East and West after a political revolution in Germany.
The War Economy
In countries at war, most economic activity was directed toward the military effort. Industry focused on producing supplies and equipment for the armed forces, including food, uniforms, and weapons. The production of consumer goods decreased, leading to shortages and price increases. Governments introduced rationing systems to distribute food and other basic items.
Social Effects of the War
During the war, men were recruited or conscripted into the armed forces. As soldiers went to war, women replaced them in many areas of economic activity, such as offices and factories. After the war, some women wanted to continue working, but there was not enough work for everyone. The suffragette movement campaigned for women’s suffrage, and in some countries, women won the right to vote soon after the war’s end.
The Schlieffen Plan: Why It Failed
The plan didn’t work for three reasons:
- Belgium refused to let the German army pass through to attack France, so Germany had to enter Belgium by force.
- Britain had signed a treaty with Belgium in 1839 to protect it as a neutral country. When Germany refused to withdraw from Belgium, Britain declared war.
- Russia was ready for war quicker than the Germans had expected. Many valuable German troops had to march East to face them instead of pushing on into France.
Women’s Roles During the War
Many of the original volunteers came from heavy industries like coal mining. There was a shortage of workers in these industries, and without them, Britain couldn’t supply the army. When conscription started, there were even fewer men available to do the vital jobs. Women started taking their places in the pits and the factories.
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