This is my essay, made for a college course 3nodding
Throughout the history of mankind, there have always been curtain bumps that resulted is revolting and chaos. Parts of the world stockpile anger during events that take place. Because of this anger it is always hard to settle things down and begin anew. One of the biggest events in history that resulted in violence and chaos was the First World War, or World War I. What caused this war? What happened during and after the war? What are the effects that changed the world after the war? These are the questions that made this war a monument in human history.
In June 28th, 1914, an Austrian archduke named Franz Ferdinand was assassination before he took his thrown. With his death being one of the sparks to the fuse of the war, Austria and the nearby countries fought each other for its land. Franz’s death was caused be a Siberian nationalist secret society, known as The Black Hand. The Austrians argued over whether The Black Hand worked for Siberia, they concluded that it was an opportunity to take over Siberia. Austria destroyed the Nationalist Movement and spread its influence over the Balkans. They issued an ultimatum, or a list of commands, to Siberia. This ultimatum wiped out Siberia’s sovereignty. Siberia had Russia as its ally, and Austria had Germany. Austria declared war on Siberia, Russia heard the news and sent out it’s armies to defend Siberia. Germany saw Russia’s moving armies as a war declared against Austria. After a few weeks without word, Germany declared a war against Russia on August 1. France had a treaty with Russia, and eventually on the frontlines with Germany on August 3. Britain was obligated to protect France and Belgium; it announced a war against Austria on August 4. Britain had much assistance from other colonies such as Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, and the Union of Africa. Japan fought Germany for the defense of Britain; Austria retaliated and declared war with Japan. Many of the great nations bound treaties to other nations; this was a mistake that led the world into war. The United States president Woodrow Wilson announced a U.S. policy of absolute neutrality. Italy avoided the contract with Germany and Austria; they also issued a neutrality act. What had been a small brief war between Austria and Siberia, escalated into an unthinkable war that stretched over the globe.
Everyone around the world was nervous. To them this war could possibly end all wars. What took place during the war was a great change. Bismarck, the first prime minister of Prussia and the chancellor of the German Empire started constructing Germany through politics. His power was assisted by the war against Austria. Bismarck was appointed as Prime minister and foreign minister of Prussia by Kaiser Wilhelm in 1862. He sought after building Germany into a vast Empire. The French were aiming to retrieve their land; they helped Germany only to take Alsace and Lorraine back. The French ordered Plan XVII in 1914. Italy had secretly negotiated in 1914 that should Germany attack France, then Italy would declare Neutrality. In 1915 Italy entered a World War as an ally of France, Russia, and Britain. Romania broke its alliance with Austria to join the allies. A year after Russia lapsed its Reinsurance Treaty, it joined with France’s forces. Germany, Austria, and Italy had become a Triple Alliance before to war, if one of the three countries should attack another, than the third country would defend the second. Russia had angered the Japanese General in 1903 over the territory of Korea. Japan had launched an attack on Russia’s warships and land territory in 1904. Japan had seized most of Korea. Japan had won a battle Tsushima on May 28th, 1905. It angered the Russians. Italy and Turkey fought in 1912. Turkey lost and was forced to hand over Libya, Rhodes, and the Dodecanese Islands. After Turkey made peace with Italy, it was swallowed up by war with other nations. In 1913 Bulgaria fought with allies for my territory. Romania fought back and captured Bulgaria’s officer, Sofia on July, 1913. Turkey won back Adrianople, the Balkan’s were still under high pressure. One thing eventually led to another.
As the world went through war, it changed everything. Politics and economic opinion changed. Countries began to form a more liberal government. Germany was forced to pay for the war, this eventually led to World War II. Europe was plagued with inflation; the people lost their optimistic outlook on life. After World War I Britain, France, and other countries spread socialistic ideas. Another great influence was the Republic. The war caused a revolution for people who wanted a better way of life. In 1919, Germany was forced to sign a treaty, accepting responsibility for the war. They had to dish out large sums of money for the costs of the war. Italy and France grew in size, while Germany shrunk. German’s army was ordered to shrink; many of the ex-soldiers joined the Freikorps, a small colony of mercenaries. War increased the evolution of technology. Vehicles, airplanes, and chemicals followed after the war. The use of machinery to operate human jobs plus eight hour work shifts help to recover Europe’s economy. Before the war Europe was one of the world’s most wealthy set of countries. Four years after the start of the war, Europe was in great dept, owing 10 billion in war expenses. Middle class people experienced hard times. German experienced the worst of the inflation. Revolution took its place throughout the globe. People wondered why the war was fought in the first place. People in Europe lost trust in their government leaders after what chaos they had seen. A state of disillusionment spread through the world when people thought that government couldn’t serve a human’s best interest. Went the war had ended, Europe had lost nearly one third of its civilians. One in four young men died throughout the battle.
Throughout this turn of events, mankind fought over one mistake after another. Technology had been the only good cause of the war. But the European Nations were left in a baron, torn situation. The world was crippled both financially and personally. The battle that was intended to settle Austria’s and Siberia’s differences erupted into the First World War. Those who learn from this point in history and are changed will hopefully never make the same mistake.
Michael Duffy(Aug, 22nd,2009)”The Causes of World War One”
Retrieved date, Feb, 20th, 2010.
http://www.firstworldwar.com/origins/causes.htm
M. Anderson ” The Effects of World War One”
Date retrieved, Feb, 20th, 2010
http://members.fortunecity.com/mikaelxii/effects.html
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