The causes and effects of World War I, and the impact of the Treaty of Versailles and the Great Depression in terms of leading to World War II
By Maryanna1
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Militarism
An image portraying the influx of militarism. -
Imperialism
An image depicting imperialism between major forces. -
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Militarism
Around the 1870's countries started to prioritize their military power. Many new technologies, such as battleships were introduced and implemented. Naturally, the more armed one country became the more another would arm themselves to be of equal or higher power. -
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Imperialism
Imperialism was growing fervently and major powers were trying to acquire as much land as possible, which often led to disputes and a race for smaller countries to gain land for themselves as well. Britain and France accrued large portions of land and Germany tried to follow suit but was unable to acclaim as big of a portion. -
Nationalism
A depiction of every country involved holding their national flag with pride. -
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Nationalism
Growing militarism and imperialism heightened the "nationalistic" fervor. Every country thought that they were more superior than the other and grow increasingly more prideful and haughty over their nation's achievments. -
Alliances
An image depicting the alliances between countries through a political cartoon. -
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Alliances
Austria-Hungary formed an alliance with Germany and Serbia, and Germany and Austria Hungary made an alliance with Italy to protect themselves from Russia. Russia then formed an alliance with France against the triple alliance (Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Serbia). France and Britain and Russia had an agreement because Germany was starting to worry them, they called their alliance the Triple Entete. -
The Blank Check
Austria-Hungary sends an inexplicit letter to Germany asking for their support to Eliminate Serbia which becomes finalized and officialized wholeheartedly by Germany. Germany expected immediate action which would more likely succeed and did not foresee the delay Austria-Hungary would cause in mobilizing, thus allowing the Triple Entente sufficient time to prepare a counter offense. -
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand did not hold popularity with the Serbian and Bosnian people who wanted to be under their own rule. Assasins who were part of the Black Hand, a terrorist group, plotted to assassinate the archduke on his trip to Saravejo. After multiple attempts, the Archduke was finally assassinated. Deeply aggravated Austria-Hungary gave Serbia an ultimatum that wasn't fully accomplished thus forcing Austria-Hungary to declare war. -
The Start of WWI
With tensions rising and Serbia mobilizing quickly, Austria-Hungary Declared War. The Triple Entente quickly came to support Serbia and the first battle began with Germany's invasion of Belgium and Russia on two fronts. -
The sinking of the Lusitania
Germany made a declaration of unrestricted submarine warfare, meaning any ship in the water around the war zone were susceptible to attack, The Lusitania was technically a passenger ship, though it was carrying supplies for the western front in secret. When Lusitania entered the forwarned war zone it was sunk by a German U-boat and contained multiple casualties. -
Zimmerman Telegram
Germany sent a coded message to Mexico in hopes that they would support the allies and take arms against the United States. The message was intercepted by British intelligence and decoded. Considered one of the greatest achievements of the British Intelligence. The United States entered the war shortly after in retaliation. -
Resumption of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
After the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 Germany was pressured by many countries including the U.S. to suspend its unrestricted attacks on any ship that ventured into the British Isles, and until 1917 complied. -
America Enters the War
The United States declares war on Germany for their continuation of unrestricted submarine warfare and their attempt to coerce Mexico against the U.S. They entered just in time, because Russia ceased their end of the fighting which allowed German troops to focus their attention on a single front. The States' entrance allowed for reinforcement and reimbursement of resources and soldiers which counteracted and overwhelmed the forces and resources of the Allies. -
Effects of WWI
By the end of the war, there were around 37 million casualties (civilians and military personnel). 16 million people died which classifies WWI as one of the deadliest conflicts. After the war, Finland, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Poland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia were established as countries. After the war, many became disillusioned with the conflict because it brought no conclusions but even more conflicts and questions. Plus many were tired of the death count. -
Treaty of Versailles
After the war ended the major powers of the war came together and claimed an armistice. The Allies, especially the ones who played a more prominent place in the war made all the decisions and required that Germany makes amends by multiple very severe "punishments" so to speak. The Allies had no say in the matter and were forced without any consideration of their protests to comply. The amends included loss of land and restrictions. These acts contributed to German frustration. -
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The Dawes and Young Plan
War debts needed to be settled, so the cost of reparations fell on Germany. Thus causing them to spiral into complete economic downfall and hyperinflation. America wanted its money back from its allies, instigating repayment and refusing cancelations of these debts. -
The Great Depression
The Great War caused many countries to completely deplete their resources and economic standing to support the war. A huge stock market crash sent the already economically depressed present into a larger spiral. Everyone became frantic and people started trading their shares rapidly hoping to not lose their money. Banks closed down and many people were forced to sell their businesses. -
The Rise of Hitler
Germany became completely overwhelmed with economic downfall, anger from within its own populace, impossible reparations and debts. They needed a scapegoat to blame their problems on and a leader who would take them out of their hell. Hitler rose out of the dust putting on the appearance of a hero and giving them the scapegoat they needed, the Jews. When Hitler claimed totalitarian dictatorship he claimed responsibility to avenge Germany and had almost the full support of the nation.
