World War I: Impact of the World War I | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Impact of World War I

The impact of World War I was vast and profound, marking it as the first 'total war' in history. This meant that the war involved not just military forces but entire populations and was a major conflict between modern, industrialized nations. Governments in all the European states involved organized their citizens for the war effort like never before, mobilizing entire countries for the cause.

Political Impact

• One of the significant outcomes of the war was the victory of nationalism. The Paris Peace Conference established nationalism as a fundamental principle in Europe, contrasting with the Congress of Vienna, which had suppressed nationalist aspirations.
• Empires that had previously suppressed diverse peoples, like the Russian and Austro-Hungarian Empires, were dismantled into smaller, independent states. For example:
• Russia: From the old Russian Empire emerged the independent republics of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
• Poland: Poland was reconstituted by reclaiming territories that had been taken by its neighbors in the late 18th century.
• Austro-Hungarian Empire: Parts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire contributed to the formation of Czechoslovakia and expanded the territories of Romania, Italy, and Serbia.
• France and Denmark: France regained Alsace-Lorraine, and Denmark received the Danish-speaking part of Schleswig, addressing long-standing national grievances.
• In Ireland, nationalism also triumphed. After a period of guerilla warfare against British rule, negotiations led to the 1921 treaty, establishing the Irish Free State with dominion status.
• Nationalism gained momentum through the war, becoming more self-conscious and assertive, especially in the newly formed states.
• Outside Europe: Nationalism's influence extended beyond Europe, awakening movements in China and revitalizing Turkey. In Great Britain, Egyptian nationalism led to the withdrawal of the protectorate established during the war.
• Self-Determination: The principle of self-determination for minorities was embraced at the Paris Peace Conference, facilitating the recognition of Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia's independence and the creation of Lithuania and Latvia.

Spread of Democracy:

• The war also catalyzed the spread of democracy. Monarchies in Russia, Germany, and Austria were overthrown, and the Romanoff, Hohenzollern, and Habsburg dynasties were replaced by democratic constitutions. In Russia, the democratic movement intertwined with Bolshevism.
• Newly created states established republican constitutions with parliamentary governments based on democratic principles. For instance:
• Greece abolished the monarchy and established a republic following a defeat by the Turks in 1922.
• Turkey abolished the Sultanate and Caliphate, establishing a republic with Kemal Pasha as President.
• In many cases, military defeats discredited monarchies, and people turned to Republicanism or Communism in search of solutions to post-war unrest.

Rise of Dictatorships:

• In some countries, the trend towards democracy was interrupted by the rise of dictatorships. Post-war Europe faced numerous challenges, and in many instances, democracy was seen as inadequate to address them.
• Consequently, various countries, including Italy, Russia, Germany, and Spain, experienced the establishment of dictatorships. The anti-democratic movements of the time, such as Bolshevism, Fascism, and Nazism, contributed to the rise of these regimes.
• Germany: The aftermath of the war led to a revolution in Germany, resulting in the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II and the declaration of a republic. However, the Weimar Republic faced significant economic, political, and social challenges. In 1933, Hitler ascended to power as Chancellor, effectively ending the Weimar Republic.
• Russia: In Russia, the war triggered two revolutions in 1917. The first revolution (February-March) overthrew Tsar Nicholas II, while the second (October-November) brought Lenin and the Bolsheviks(Communists) to power.
• Italy: Despite being on the winning side, Italy faced significant post-war challenges, including heavy debt. Mussolini capitalized on the government’s unpopularity, leading Italy to become the first European state after the war to fall under a fascist dictatorship.
• Decline of Europe's Prestige: The war also marked a decline in Europe’s prestige globally. The region, once seen as the center of civilization, experienced horrific violence and destruction, signaling the decline of European dominance over the rest of the world.

Collapse of the Habsburg Empire:

• The Habsburg Empire disintegrated completely, with the last emperor, Karl I, forced to abdicate in November 1918. Various nationalities within the empire declared their independence, leading to the formation of separate states.
• Austro-Hungarian Empire: Austro-Hungary split into two independent nations, Austria and Hungary.

System of Collective Security:

• In response to the war's horrors, many leaders aimed to prevent such a conflict from recurring. President Woodrow Wilson of the USA proposed the establishment of the League of Nations, intended to resolve future disputes through arbitration and maintain global peace via collective security.
• However, the League's effectiveness was hampered by the peace settlement's terms and the overall instability of the peace achieved after the war.

Final Stage of Partition of Africa:

• Some historians argue that the war contributed to the final stage of Africa's partition. The peace settlement placed German colonies in Africa under the League of Nations' control.
• The League allowed these colonies to be 'administered' by various member states. For instance:
• Britain: Acquired Tanganyika.
• Britain and France: Divided Togoland and the Cameroons.
• South Africa: Gained German South West Africa(now Namibia).

Emergence of the USA on the World Stage:

• The USA began to play a significant role in European politics, contributing to the war effort and aiding in Europe’s economic reconstruction after the conflict.

New Balance of Power:

• The balance of power shifted, with England and France emerging as dominant forces. Japan also established itself as a powerful nation.
• However, the USA emerged as the preeminent power, dominating the new global landscape.

Economic Impact of World War I

• World War I led to significant economic losses, wastage, and widespread destruction across Europe. The war caused a massive increase in national debts for various countries, with England's debt rising to 7435 million pounds, France's to 147472 million pounds, and Germany's to 160600 million Marks.
• In the aftermath of the war, governments struggled to improve their industries, trade, agriculture, and commerce. To meet basic needs, European nations had to import essential items from abroad, leading to a spike in prices due to decreased production.
• Heavy loans forced countries to issue new paper currencies on a large scale, resulting in inflation and a decrease in currency value. To cope with the economic crisis, governments imposed and increased taxes, sparking discontent and paving the way for revolutions in some nations. In the Central Powers and Russia, civilian populations faced severe hardships due to blockades.

Unemployment:

• The post-war period saw millions who had been employed during the war becoming unemployed, leading to a significant unemployment problem.

Increase in Non-European Trade:

• On a more positive note, countries outside Europe, particularly Japan, China, and the USA, capitalized on Europe’s preoccupation with the war to expand their trade at Europe’s expense. For instance, the USA’s share of world trade grew from 10 percent in 1914 to over 20 percent by 1919. Unable to obtain European imports during the war, Japan and China initiated their own industrialization programs.

Great Depression:

• During the 1920s, the United States experienced a significant economic boom, and future prosperity seemed assured. However, this period of confidence and over-expansion came to an abrupt end with the Wall Street Crash in October 1929, marking the beginning of a severe economic crisis known as the Great Depression, which spread worldwide.

Social Impact

Huge Death Toll:

• The war had a devastating impact on the armed forces, with a staggering death toll.
• Approximately 2 million Germans, 1.7 million Russians, 1.5 million French, over 1 million Austro-Hungarians, and about 1 million from Britain and her empire lost their lives.
• Italy lost around 530,000 troops, Turkey 325,000, Serbia 322,000, Romania 158,000, the USA 116,000, Bulgaria 49,000, and Belgium 41,000.
• This number does not include those who were severely injured or the civilian casualties.
• A significant portion of an entire generation of young men perished, creating what is known as the "lost generation." For example, France lost around 20 percent of men of military age.

Rise of Social Problems:

• The war left many dead or disabled, resulting in a rise in widows and families without their primary earners.
• This led to serious family discord and an imbalance in the male-to-female ratio due to the higher death toll among men.

Women Empowerment:

• With so many men away serving in the armed forces and a growing demand for labor, women stepped into roles in factories and other jobs traditionally held by men.
• Women began working alongside men in factories, mills, and offices, contributing to the economic development of their countries.
• This shift not only boosted their self-confidence but also sparked demands for equal status and rights with men.

Softening of Racial Feelings:

• The war saw people of all races fighting together on common ground, sharing food and experiences, which fostered closer bonds among them.

Destruction of Culture and Setback to Education:

• Many scholars, poets, and scientists lost their lives, and cultural buildings were destroyed, leading to a significant loss of cultural heritage.
• Compulsory military service forced students to leave educational institutions, resulting in a decline in education levels.

New Method of Warfare:

• The war introduced new methods of warfare and advanced weapons such as tanks, submarines, bombers, machine guns, heavy artillery, and mustard gas.

Progress of Science and Technology:

• Scientific advancements were made in areas such as gases, bombs, tanks, airplanes, and submarines due to the competitive spirit in science.

Rise of Labour and Trade Union:

• Labourers played a crucial role in producing weapons and other necessary products during the war, gaining a prominent position in politics.
• After the war, they presented their demands to the government for political status and necessary facilities.
• Although the trade union movement began before the war, labourers focused their energies on making this movement successful post-war.
• The Labour Party in England even managed to gain power in a capitalist country.

Impetus to Socialist Ideas:

• The war significantly contributed to the development of socialism, including the nationalization of industries and the increased importance of the labor class.
• It led to the state providing facilities like housing, medical care, and education, as well as conceding the rights to form trade unions and strike.