17 million dead and another 10 million wounded. World War 1 was nothing like the war that came before it. New technology, including machine guns and mustard gas, created an environment for a stalemate to develop, further drawing out the war and causing more casualties. The end of the war resulted in 17 million dead, another 10 million wounded, and a treaty leaving many frustrated Germans ready to start another war. Although territorial loss influenced World War 2, the main causes were military restrictions, war guilt, and reparations.
To What Extent was Germany Responsible for WWI? Sources The article written by W.E.B. DuBois targets the notion of imperialism in its role in the first world war, by giving in-depth insight on what a scholarly social critic had perceived on the true motives behind the war. Imperialism is directly related to economic benefits, and is a main cause behind the motives of the war. He also discusses the racial implications behind the war as well. Document F was created by W.B. DuBois who hypothesized a claim regarding the war in 1914 about the role of imperialism in WWI.
8), a clause which had a severe impact on German nationalism, as many Germans felt that they were being unfairly condemned for a war which was not their sole fault. Other clauses detrimental to Germany ranged from the Allied powers confiscating some of Germany’s disputed territory and colonies, significantly reducing their army size into a glorified police force, and most notably requiring Germany to pay reparations to the Allied forces for all the damage done (Doc. 8, BG Info). All of these severe consequences brought upon Germany were for the most part France’s doing. Woodrow Wilson, the president of the U.S., felt that there should be a peaceful and primarily amicable settlement between the Allied powers and Germany, and David Lloyd George, the Prime Minister of England somewhat agreed (Doc 4: Source B-C).
According to Wilson’s war message to Congress, the imperial government of Germany posed a threat for world peace and democracy because they infiltrated nations - something a self-governed state would not do - threatened merchants with submarine warfare, and maintained an autocracy by keeping much of the German citizens ignorant of the government’s actions. Wilson confirmed that Germany had infiltrated many surrounding territories and US offices by sending spies into the area, disregarding the neutral status of said territories. Many spies were sent with the goal of -- which would lead to inner turmoil in the invaded countries. By expanding their forces with orders to disrupt - a prime example: the Zimmerman telegram to Mexico intercepted by the US - Germany would endanger the peace of countries and possibly be the cause of wars amongst them.
“What is essential, in the French view, is that the German government must be compelled by diplomatic pressure first and by stronger pressure if need be, to withdraw from the Rhineland” (NYT 3). After growing the military, Hitler eventually broke the Treaty of Versailles and interfered in the Rhineland, placing military control over the region. France desperately argued that Germany should leave either by negotiation or force. France originally let it slide, but held it against Germany in the back of their minds. When Hitler invaded Poland, they were finally forced to declare war which led to a six-year-long global conflict that destroyed many countries'
Austria-Hungary’s Cause of World War I The trigger of one gun being pulled caused the death of 17 million people. On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife of Austria-Hungary were shot and killed by 19-year-old Serbian Nationalist, Gavrilo Princip, during a motorcade after an unsuccessful attempt at bombing Ferdinand. Because of the Triple Entente of France, Britain, and Russia and the Triple Alliance of Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy, this event started a chain reaction.
Germany initially wanted to knock France out immediately through the Schlieffen Plan and gain additional colonies, territory, and prestige. With the loss of the war the Germans had to accept the Treaty of Versailles. The Germans hated the treaty because it had a “War Guilt Clause” called article 231. In this article it states, “"The Allied and Associated Governments affirm and Germany accepts the responsibility of Germany and her allies for causing all the loss and damage to which the Allied and Associated Governments and their nationals have been subjected as a consequence of the war imposed upon them by the aggression of Germany and her allies. " This clause stated Germany was to be blamed for the war.
Connor Larson & Lucas Turnis Mrs. Ross AP European History 25 April 2023 Causes of World War I Prior to World War I, a power struggle between the Ottoman Empire and Russia spiraled into involving Britain and France: the Crimean War. The conditions set for a major shift in power caused by Italian and German unification. This unification brought many new leaders of great power such as Victor Emmanuel II and Otto Von Bismarck. With newfound land, power, and wealth, Bismarck felt invincible and began to seek war and form alliances.
Causes of World War I World War I was the bar fight of all bar fights and was expected to end quickly. Unfortunately, the treacherous battle field held soldier's longer than expected. At first, Europe had been flourishing with colonies worldwide and had developed in technology greatly.
World War One had a devastating impact on Germany. Throughout World War One, the people of Germany had been led to believe by their government that they were winning the war. Government propaganda had been used to great effect. Only the military leaders like Ludendorff and Hindenburg knew the true state of Germany’s military dilemma which had become even more apparent when America had joined in the war in 1917. Germany itself was being starved of food and all goods as a result of the British Navy’s blockade of the northern ports.
The statement that ‘Hitler rose to power because he promised to address popular needs’ can be supported. The main cause of Germany’s economic issues was due to Germany signing the Treaty of Versailles after WW1. This treaty caused mass issues, which the US helped with by making loans to Germany. After the Wall Street Crash in 1929, the US could no longer aid Germany, which provided Hitler with the perfect opportunity to rise to power. The German citizens needed someone to fix the problems they were facing and they had lost faith in their government.
As already mentioned, Germany is at the heart of any explanation of the causes of both wars. Be it through Kaiser Wilhelm or Adolf Hitler. the fact that two radical German leaders were directly involved in both wars shows a distinct comparison. To an extent, they were both caused by the German need of expansionism and extreme ambition. There are clear comparisons, not only to the fact that German expansionism could be seen as a critical cause of both wars, but also through the means employed to reach this goal.
For a war in which no one wanted, the causes of World War I have continued to astound historians decades after the war. While several schools of thought exist regarding the circumstances to provoke such destruction on a global scale, two prominent groups appoint guilt to major countries. Revisionist historians believe that other countries, as well as Germany, played key roles in beginning the war and attribute militarism, imperialism, nationalism, and the alliance systems among these countries for causing the war. Conversely, anti-revisionist historians believe that Germany is solely culpable for the destruction of World War I. While the results of the war, specifically the Treaty of Versailles with its draconian treatment of Germany, support
It has been generally accepted, while highly debated, that Germany is the sole instigator of World War One. Yet, there is a significant amount of evidence which can be attributed to the Russian Empire as the prime mastermind behind the initiation of this Great War. In the time period leading up to this war, it was a time of very militaristic tendencies. It had been said that Britain and Germany were in a fierce competition for naval dominance (Source – textbook), yet this was still not enough to be a triggering factor of war. Just days after the ultimatum was declined by Serbia, and before any declaration of war was formally declared, Russia began to mobilize a standing army of 1.2 million men (source – textbook).
Germany was one of the major players in the First World War that started in the year 1914. The Treaty of Versailles, a peace treaty published after the war in 1919, largely blamed Germany for the war, forcing the country to disarm and pay a generous sum of reparation to the victorious side. Many historians still argue over whether this blame was justified or not; while most claim that Germany was the inexcusable cause, some counter that there were other factors to blame, such as Austria-Hungary. I believe that Germany was indeed responsible for WW1, not solely but for the majority of it, because they were what started the war in the first place.
