A Look Back at Our History: World War One (1914-1918) – Part 2

World War 1 was a war of industrialized powers. Many of the modern new technologies were used for the first time. The automatic machine gun, tanks, and submarines were used for first time in the war. This was one of the reason there was mass amount of casualties. Trench warfare was also used in the war for the first and the last time in history! In trench warfare, the troops dug trenches along the front. Both sides gain only a little in the tactic and it also led to many soldiers being killed. That is the main reason this tactic was never used again.

The Two Front War

As the war began, Germany was left to fight Russia to it’s east and France and Britain to it’s west. This was a major turnaround for the allies as German’s had to divide their troops so they can keep the Russian troops and the French and British troops as bay.

Major Turning Points

• The Russian Withdrawal – Due to the heavy losses and internal conflicts, Russia was forced to withdraw. In 1918, their new leader Vladimir Lenin signed a treaty with Germany that took them out of the war. This was a huge blow to the Allies as Germany can now concentrate just on the eastern front.
• The entry of United States – US stayed neutral over half of the time during war. Though their ships carried supplies to the Allies. This policy of neutrality ended because of two major reasons.
• Unrestricted Submarine Warfare use by Germany. German ships blockaded Britain in an attempt to starve them to defeat. But US ignored the warning and send ships, resulting in 3 of their ships being sank. The sinking of Lusitania was a major one, as it was used for propaganda too. This made Americans outraged.

• The British interception of the Zimmerman Note from Germany to Mexico. The Zimmerman note stated that Germany would help Mexico “reconquer” their lost land to US if Mexico would ally with them. This message was decoded by the British and given to US.

These reasons angered the Americans and hence they joined the Allies in 1917. The US entry was a major boost for the Allies.

The End for Central Powers

Germany came very close to Paris, France, but their soldiers were weak and exhausted to fight. Sensing the weakness, the Allies send 140, 000 fresh American troops to launch a counter attack. In July of 1918, German troops lost severely to the Allies in their last chance to win back the war. In the mean time, the Bulgarians and Ottomans surrendered.

On November 11, 1918, an armistice (an agreement to end the war) was signed by a representative of a new German government.

Costs of The War

World War 1 was the most destructive war of it’s time. The expense of the war was staggering.

1. Over 8.5 million soldiers had died.
2. More than 17 million soldiers were wounded or missing.
3. Famine threatened many regions as all countries spent everything they had on the war.
4. Disease was widespread in many regions.

The Treaty of Versailles

(From left) UK Prime Minister Lloyd George Italian Prime Minister Orlando, French Prime Minister Clemenceau, and US president Wilson. 

In 1919, the triumphant Allies gathered at the palace of Versailles to decide what to be done with the loosing Central Powers. United States president Woodrow Wilson along with English Prime Minister David Lloyd, Italian Prime Minister Vittorio Emanuele Orlando and French leader Georges Clemenceau were the major personalities in the meeting.

1. Germany had to take 100% responsibility for the war. They were charged with harsh reparations. They made Germany pay for all the losses.
2. Germany lost many lands. Some was used to create the country of Poland. And the land of Alsace and Lorraine, that Germany won in the war against France in France-Prussian War. They also lost many overseas colonies.
3. Germany’s army and navy were limited. Germany were forced to remove it’s troops from Rhineland, and industrial area along the French border.

A Look Ahead!

They Treaty of Versailles tore apart Germany’s already down economy. They took much more time to recover from the huge losses. This was the major reason a dictator was able to come to power. They were angered at the Treaty of Versailles, as they had to take the 100% responsibility while they did not even start the War. These reasons led to another major war in just about two decades!