Full Answer
How/why was WW1 considered a total war?
France's war economy World War I was a 'total war' as civilian societies, economies and labour were all seconded to the war effort. Britain's Defence of the Realm Act gave its leaders extensive powers to reduce threats and harness the economy. A critical shortage of artillery shells in 1915 led to a change in government and new measures to increase production. More items...
Why was WW1 more destructive than previous wars?
Why was ww1 more destructive than earlier wars? The loss of life was greater than in any previous war in history, in part because militaries were using new technologies, including tanks, airplanes, submarines, machine guns, modern artillery, flamethrowers, and poison gas. German troops could then concentrate on the war in the east.
Why was WW1 such a bloody conflict?
The reason why the Great war was so bloody was because of industrialization. the size of an army depends on how much equipment, uniforms and weapons their home country can produce. Before the industrial revolution, armies generally were smaller and less equipped than today because everything had to be individually hand made.
Why was WW1 and WW2 so important?
Why Is World War 1 Important? In the 20th century, World War I was a defining moment in geopolitical history. As a result, four great imperial dynasties (in Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey) fell, the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia led to the destabilization of European society, and World War II was laid out.
What was the effect of the Third Reich on the Western powers?
The Western powers, fatigued by war, yielded to isolationism and appeasement as the Third Reich emerged, triggering World War II and the Holocaust.
Why did Russia quit the war?
Russia quit the war as domestic unrest triggered the Bolshevik revolution, rise of Communism and the Cold War. The Middle East changed with the defeat of Turkey and Britain’s pledge for a Jewish state in Palestine.
What happened at the Battle of the Somme?
Soldiers fight in the Battle of the Somme in 1916. (Photo/Geoffrey Malins via Wikimedia Commons) One hundred years ago Sunday, the Allies and Germany agreed to an armistice ending World War I. The Great War claimed 40 million lives — but also serves as an unexpected pivot point for modern civilization. “World War I is an amazingly important and ...
What was the story of World War 1?
It is a story of doughboys, airmen, ambulance drivers, Red Cross workers, Hello-girls, Yeomen, doughnut dollies, farmers, war production laborers, suffragists, and pacifists. It’s a fascinating era that - despite its deep and far-reaching impact – seems to have become all too inaccessible ...
Why was the wristwatch used in WW1?
A Male Wristwatch: At the start of WW1 a wristwatch was recognized as women's jewelry; but within a year of trench warfare, the impractical male pocket watch was replaced with the wristwatch and its protective "cage" over the glass and radium dials for nighttime use. A wristwatch was necessary to synchronize maneuvers and to deliver supplies in a timely fashion. Today's wristwatch is not only a timepiece, but a minicomputer as well.
What was the main material used for prosthetics during WW1?
Prosthetic Limb: Prosthetics were needed in such vast numbers during WW1 that the United Kingdom turned to standardization for mass production. Aluminum alloy was introduced as the main material for prosthetics instead of wood. Today's prosthetics are designed for the individual, with many containing microchips and robotics. They function more like a natural limb than ever before.
Why did Germany and France appease Hitler?
A devastated Germany and France appeased Hitler to prevent another war.
Why did Germans eat vegetarian sausages?
Vegetarian sausages: Because of early food shortages, particularly meat, some Germans ate a cheap meat alternative - vegetarian sausages. These rather tasteless sausages were made from soya, flour, corn, barley and ground rice. Though not incredibly popular at the time, tasty versions of these sausages have found their way into today’s vegetarian diets.
How did World War 1 affect the United States?
Before its entry into World War I, the United States of America was a nation of untapped military potential and growing economic might. But the war changed the United States in two important ways: the country's military was turned into a large-scale fighting force with the intense experience of modern war, a force that was clearly equal to that ...
Why did nationalism rise in Europe?
Part of this was a result of Woodrow Wilson’s isolationist commitment to what he called "self-determination." But part of it was also a response to the destabilization of old empires, which nationalists viewed as an opportunity to declare new nations.
What was the key region of European nationalism?
The key region for European nationalism was Eastern Europe and the Balkans, where Poland, the three Baltic States, Czechoslovakia, the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, and others emerged. But nationalism conflicted hugely with the ethnic makeup of this region of Europe, where many different nationalities and ethnicities sometimes lived ...
What happened to the German Empire after the people revolted?
But the fall of the young, powerful, and growing German Empire, after the people revolted and the Kaiser was forced to abdicate, came as a great shock. In their place came a rapidly changing series of new governments, ranging in structure from democratic republics to socialist dictatorships.
What was the impact of the collapse of Russia?
The collapse of Russia under the pressure of total warfare allowed socialist revolutionaries to seize power and turn communism, one of the world’s growing ideologies, into a major European force. While the global socialist revolution that Vladimir Lenin believed was coming never happened, the presence of a huge and potentially powerful communist nation in Europe and Asia changed the balance of world politics.
Which European empires were swept away by defeat and revolution?
The Collapse of Central and Eastern European Empires. The German, Russian, Turkish, and Austro-Hungarian Empires all fought in World War I, and all were swept away by defeat and revolution, although not necessarily in that order.
Why did Erich Ludendorff refuse to fight?
German commander Erich Ludendorff suffered a mental collapse before he called for an armistice to end the war, and when he recovered and discovered the terms he had signed onto , he insisted Germany refuse them, claiming the army could fight on. But the new civilian government overruled him, as once peace had been established there was no way to keep the army fighting. The civilian leaders who overruled Ludendorff became scapegoats for both the army and Ludendorff himself.
What were the effects of World War 1?
One of the most significant impacts of World War One was huge advances in technology, which would transform the way that people all around the world travelled and communicated, in particular, in the years after the conflict. New weapons and technologies were developed and used that led to more destruction than any war had seen in the past.
How did tanks help the war?
Tanks were able to navigate the difficult terrain of the World War One battlefields. It wasn't just weaponry that advanced, though. New methods of photography, sound recording and ways to communicate were developed during the war, which had a long-lasting impact.
What issues were very much seen as things for men to deal with?
Issues like politics and war were very much seen as things for men to deal with.
Why were laws changed in the UK?
In the UK, laws were being changed to improve women's standing in society. For example, they had more rights when it came to their houses and their children, but there was still a long way to go before men and women would be treated more equally.
What technology enabled soldiers to pinpoint where the enemy was from the sound of their gunfire?
Special technology called sound ranging that enabled soldiers to pinpoint where the enemy was from the sound of their gunfire also proved extremely important.
Why were U-boats invented?
Special technology to detect German submarines called U-boats was invented to protect the British Navy - at the time, the largest navy in the world.
Why was the Great War called the Great War?
It became known as the Great War because it affected people all over the world and was the biggest war anyone had ever known. It even came to be known as 'the war to end all wars', as no conflict before World War One had caused destruction on this scale before. People wanted to believe that nobody would ever want to go to war again after it.
Why was imperialism the most significant?
imperialism was the most significant because it drove countries to the brink of war but not all the way to war
Why is propaganda important?
propaganda, because it made people believe in something better
What is trench warfare?
A form of warfare in which armies by each other from trenches dug in the battlefield
Which countries were in alliance with Germany?
military alliance between Germany Austria- Hungary and Italy in the years preceeding World War I
Was the war on the east more mobile than the war on the west?
the war on the east was more mobile than the west, but slaughter and stalement were common
What was the immediate cause of World War I?
Immediate Cause: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The immediate cause of World War I that made the aforementioned items come into play (alliances, imperialism, militarism, and nationalism) was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary.
How many people died in World War 1?
The war had extremely high casualties over 15 million dead and 20 million injured. The face of warfare would never be the same again.
How many warships did Germany have in 1914?
By 1914, Germany had nearly 100 warships and two million trained soldiers. Great Britain and Germany both greatly increased their navies in this time period.
What was the origin of the war in 1914?
Nationalism. Austria Hungary in 1914. Mariusz Paździora. Much of the origin of the war was based on the desire of the Slavic peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina to no longer be part of Austria-Hungary but instead be part of Serbia.
How did imperialism affect the world?
Imperialism is when a country increases their power and wealth by bringing additional territories under their control, usually without outright colonizing or resettling them. Before World War I, several European countries had made competing imperialistic claims in Africa and parts of Asia, making them points of contention. Because of the raw materials these areas could provide, tensions around which country had the right to exploit these areas ran high. The increasing competition and desire for greater empires led to an increase in confrontation that helped push the world into World War I.
What happened when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia?
When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia got involved to defend Serbia. Germany, seeing that Russia was mobilizing, declared war on Russia. France was then drawn in against Germany and Austria-Hungary. Germany attacked France by marching through Belgium pulling Britain into war.
How did Germany attack France?
Germany attacked France by marching through Belgium pulling Britain into war. Then Japan entered the war to support its British allies. Later, Italy and the United States would enter on the side of the Allies (Britain, France, Russia, etc.). 02.
How did the First World War affect the world?
The signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 saw the end of the war. However, the lasting effects of the First World War changed the world forever. Not only did the war cause the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but the Russian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the German Empire also dissolved. Many countries lost a staggering number of human casualties. It is estimated that an astonishing 37 million people lost their lives as a result of World War I.
What was the main catalyst for World War I?
Due to these above events, the assassination of Franz Ferdinand is generally regarded as the main catalyst for World War I. However, there are many other reasons why the war broke out, some of them which are harder to pinpoint.
What was the motivation behind the attack on Sarajevo?
The motivation behind the attack was to break away from the Austro-Hungarian occupation of the Balkan states in order to form a united Yugoslavia. Gavrilo Princip is apprehended in Sarajevo. In the aftermath of the attack, Austria-Hungary placed the blame on Serbia and declared war.
Why did Germany declare war on Russia?
Unable to fend for themselves, Serbia turned to Russia for help. However, at the same time, Germany declared war on Russia. Germany also saw this time as an opportunity to finally break out what they called the Schlieffen Plan. The Schlieffen Plan referred to Germany’s plans to invade Belgium and France in order to collect soldiers and in turn improve their chances of winning a war against Russia. At the time, Germany did not have a military anywhere near the size of their Russian counterparts. However, in the end the plan backfired, when Great Britain brought their troops in to protect neutral Belgium, which caused a disastrous clash between Britain and Germany.
What was the battleground known for?
A battleground during World War One. Battlegrounds were known for their horrendous conditions that habored diseases. World War I was the first global war of the 20th century, taking place between July 28, 1914 and November 11, 1918. The causes of the war are complicated.
What is imperialism in the world?
Imperialism is the expansion of a government’s power through the conquest of new territories. The European powers in the 19th century had occupied territories in Asia and Africa. The British and the French had the largest areas. Germany had very few territories as it had been dealing with political problems at home and had joined the scramble for colonies much later. The scramble led to conflict and tensions rose among the powers. When the war began between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Serbia, colonies recruited their subjects into war, drawing the entire world into war.
Why did the arms race happen?
The countries developed new and more capable weapons, each competing to outdo one another. The arms race is linked to the emergence of the First World War. By the time of the war, the countries had gathered piles of weapons and other military resources, indicating that the countries were ready for a bigger war.