Vardaan Learning Institute
Chapter 11: The First World War (1914–1918)
Chapter Overview
The First World War (1914–1918) was a global conflict centered in Europe that engaged all major powers. Fought between the Allied Powers and the Central Powers, it reshaped the geopolitical map of the world, ended major empires, led to the punitive Treaty of Versailles, and brought into existence the League of Nations.
1. Causes of the First World War
Four Main Long-term Causes & Immediate Trigger
1. Aggressive Nationalism and Imperialism
Love for one's nation turned into hatred for other countries. Aggressive expansionism led to intense rivalries for colonies and markets in Asia and Africa (e.g. Germany challenging British and French colonial supremacy).
2. Division of Europe into Two Armed Camps
Europe was split into two hostile military alliances:
- Triple Alliance (1882): Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
- Triple Entente (1907): France, Russia, and Great Britain.
Secret treaties guaranteed that a war between any two powers would drag all European nations into global conflict.
3. Armament Race and Naval Rivalry
European nations stockpiled deadly weapons. Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany embarked on building a formidable navy and widened the Kiel Canal so German battleships could enter the North Sea, directly threatening Britain's naval supremacy.
4. Immediate Cause: Sarajevo Crisis (28 June 1914)
Archduke Francis Ferdinand (heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne) and his wife Sophie were assassinated at Sarajevo (capital of Bosnia) on 28 June 1914 by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb member of the secret terrorist organization Black Hand (Union or Death).
Austria held Serbia responsible, issued a harsh 48-hour ultimatum, and declared war on Serbia on 28 July 1914. Russia mobilized to protect Serbia; Germany declared war on Russia and France; Britain entered when Germany invaded neutral Belgium.
2. Results and Consequences of the War
The Treaty of Versailles (28 June 1919)
Signed at the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, France, by the victorious Allies and defeated Germany.
- War Guilt Clause Clause 231 forced Germany to accept sole responsibility for causing the war and all losses suffered by the Allies.
- War Reparations Germany was ordered to pay astronomical war reparations of £6.6 billion ($33 billion) to the Allies.
- Territorial Losses
- Alsace and Lorraine were returned to France.
- The rich coal fields of the Saar Basin were handed to France for 15 years under League supervision.
- German African colonies were confiscated and divided as Mandates between Britain, France, and Belgium.
- Military Demilitarization German army was restricted to 100,000 men; navy limited; submarines, military aircraft, and tanks banned completely. The Rhineland was permanently demilitarized.
Territorial Rearrangements & Fall of Dynastic Empires
Geopolitical Map Redrawn
- Collapse of Empires: Ended four major ruling dynasties:
- Hohenzollern Dynasty in Germany (Kaiser Wilhelm fled to Netherlands).
- Habsburg Dynasty in Austria-Hungary.
- Romanov Dynasty in Russia (overthrown in 1917 Bolshevik Revolution).
- Ottoman Empire in Turkey.
- New Nation-States Created: Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were carved out of Europe's map based on nationality.
Establishment of the League of Nations (1920)
League of Nations
Founded on 10 January 1920 with headquarters at Geneva, Switzerland, inspired by US President Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points.
Main Aims:
- To promote international cooperation and maintain peace and security.
- To prevent future world wars through collective security and peaceful arbitration of disputes.
- To encourage disarmament and improve socio-economic conditions globally.
