First World War (2024) PDF

Why is war in 1914 called World war ? It was fought on a worldwide scale and affected almost all the countries of the world. Because of the unprecedented extent of its spread, impact and damage and its total nature, it is known as the First World War. Causes of the First World War 1. Nationalism an...

Why is war in 1914 called World war ? It was fought on a worldwide scale and affected almost all the countries of the world. Because of the unprecedented extent of its spread, impact and damage and its total nature, it is known as the First World War. Causes of the First World War 1. Nationalism and Imperialism: Nationalism refers to the sense of unity felt by the people, who share a common history, language and culture. Aggressive nationalism meant love for one’s own country and hatred of other countries. This led to the rise of imperialism. Imperialism refers to the state policy or practice by which a powerful nation establishes its control over another country, either by direct territorial acquisition or by gaining political and economic control. Country acquired is called a colony. Colonies provided raw material, cheap labour, agricultural land and trading ports to the imperial nations. England and France had built up a huge colonial empire in Asia and Africa. Germany, Italy, Russia and Japan also wanted to increase their sphere of influence and create their colonies in Asia and Africa. So to expand their economic and political empire. 2. Race for Armaments: Every major power began stockpiling armaments in the name of self- defence and preservation of peace. As a result, if one country increased its armaments, other countries were compelled to do the same. It filled the atmosphere with fear, apprehension and mutual hatred. In order to protect her colonies in Africa and a few islands in the Pacific, Germany began to build a powerful navy with a view to achieving parity with Britain. Britain and France were concerned with Germany's growing. military strength. This led to a fierce competition among the European countries and gave rise to the race for armaments. 3. Division of Europe into Two Hostile Groups: The three countries England, France and Russia entered into the Triple Entente in 1907 to counter the Triple Alliance. Later Japan joined the Triple Entente. Click here to buy Latest ICSE Class 10 Books-https://amzn.to/3xib8Bu Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy formed Triple Alliance. Thus, Europe was divided into two hostile camps. 3. Sarajevo Crisis (Immediate Cause): Archduke Francis Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary was assassinated at Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia on June 28, 1914. The assassination was organised by a secret society called ‘Black Hand' or 'Union of Death' to unite all Serbians into a single Serbian State. Austria served an ultimatum on Serbia on July 23 making eleven demands. Austria declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. July 28, 1914 Russia support Serbia. Germany declared war on Russia and on France. German troops marched into Belgium same day Britain declared War on Germany. Japan declared war on Germany to capture German colonies. Turkey and Bulgaria joined on the side of Germany. Britain, France, Russia and their allies were called the Allied powers; while Germany, Austria and their allies were called the Central Powers. The War was fought in many different areas called fronts. Click here to buy Latest ICSE Class 10 Books-https://amzn.to/3xib8Bu Results Of the War 1. The Treaty of Versailles (June 28, 1919): The victorious Allies, met in a conference first in Versailles. The terms of the peace treaties were really decided by Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States, Lloyd George, Prime Minister of Britain, and George Clemenceau, Prime Minister of France. As a result of the discussions at the Paris Conference, on June 28,1919 The Treaty of Versailles was signed. It ended the War. The basis of treaty was American President Wilson's Fourteen Points. The treaty was designed to prevent Germany from going to war again. Terms of the Treaty: (i) The Treaty declared Germany guilty of aggression. (ii) Germany was required to pay for the loss and damages at 33 billion dollars. (iii) The area of the Rhine Valley was to be demilitarised. (iv) Germany lost Alsace Lorraine to France; Eupen-et-Malmedy to Belgium, Schleswig to Denmark. (v) Germany ceded parts of her pre-War territory to Denmark, Belgium, Poland, Czechoslovakia and France. vi) The coal mines in the German area called Saar were given control to France for 15 years. vii) Germany lost all her colonies to the victorious Allies. German Colonies in Pacific and of China was given to Japan. viii) The German Army was restricted to a force of 1,00,000 soldiers and the Navy was limited to 15,000 men and 24 ships. The Air Force and submarines were banned. ix) The Treaty affirmed the complete independence of Belgium, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia. Click here to buy Latest ICSE Class 10 Books-https://amzn.to/3xib8Bu 2. Territorial Rearrangements: The period after the War saw the beginning of the end of the European supremacy in the world. Economically and militarily, the United States surpassed Europe to emerge as a world power. Three ruling dynasties were destroyed -the Romanov in Russia during the War itself, the Hohenzollern in Germany and the Hapsburg in Austria-Hungary. Soon after the War, the rule of Ottomans came to an end in Turkey. Austria and Hungary became separate independent States. Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia emerged as independent States. Thus, the War gave a serious blow to the autocratic monarchial system and led to the development of democracy in Europe. 3. Formation of the League of Nations: The horrors of War convinced the leaders of the world that there must be a mechanism to prevent War and promote international cooperation. This resulted in the setting up of the League of Nations in 1920. Wilson's Fourteen Points included the creation of an international organisation for the preservation of peace and to guarantee the independence of all states. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS (i) All the States of the world were prohibited from entering into any secret treaties and alliances. (ii) The member-States were not supposed to maintain huge armies, warships and destructive armaments. (iii) All States were to respect each other's independence. (iv) All States were to refer their mutual disputes, if any, to the League of Nations for a peaceful settlement. (v) The member-States were to take necessary action as directed by the League against any State which tried to disturb world peace and order. (vi) Apart from political functions, the League of Nations was supposed to promote cultural, social and economic cooperation among the member- States. Click here to buy Latest ICSE Class 10 Books-https://amzn.to/3xib8Bu