THe effects of world war i
Even after the technical end of World War I, its tremendous effects resounded in the world for decades to come. It changed politics, economics, and the public opinion. Many countries began to espouse more liberal forms of government, and Germany was forced to pay for its failures and the large deal of war amends, which, in turn, led to the start of a second World War. Europe quickly fell into debt from the war costs, and inflation afflicted the continent. Furthermore, the optimism of previous decades was abandoned and a stark, pessimistic outlook on life was taken after people had experienced the harshness of warfare.
Governmental Changes
As a result of World War I, ideas from the socialistic experienced a boom as hey speard not only in Germany and the Austrian empire but also made advances in Britian and France. The most popular type of government to gain influence after the war was the republic. Before the war, Europe contained 19 monarchies and 3 republics, after a few years, there were 13 monarchies, 14 republics, and 2 regencies. As seen revolution was in the air and people began to express their desires for a better way of life.
Effects of a Harsh Peace
The second political effect of World War I centers solely on the treatment of Germany in the Treaty of Versailles of 1919. The Germans were forced to sign a humiliating treaty accepting responsibility for causing the war, as well as paying large sums of money in order to compensate for war costs. In addition, the size of the German state was reduced, while that of Italy and France was enlarged. The Weimar government set up in Germany in 1918 was disliked by most of the citizens and maintained little power in controlling the German state. Rising hostilities toward the rest of Europe grew, and many German soldiers refused to give up fighting, even though Germany's military was ordered to be drastically reduced. Given such orders, numerous German ex-soldiers joined the Freikorps- an establishment of mercenaries available for street-fighting. The open hostility and simmering feelings of revenge exhibited by Germany foreshadowed the start of World War II.
Economic Change
Technology had experienced a great boost after the war, as the production of automobiles, airplanes, radios, and even certain chemicals grew. The advantages of mass production and use of machinery to perform former human labor task along with the implementations of the eight hour work day had come to show the economy, the United States's in particular. After the war through Europe suffered devastating losses of property and landscape along with finances. In 1914, Europe had won the respect of the world by being a reliable money-lender, but just four years later they were in a debt to her allies for their generous financial contributions toward the war effort, owing them as much as $10 billion. In effort to pay back their allies the government of many European countries printed more and more money, only to bring their countries to a period of inflation. Members in the middle class that had been living comfortably on investments were experiencing a rocky financial period. Germany was hit the hardest in terms of struggling with war reparations, and inflations drastically lowered the value of the German mark. In no more than three months in 1923, the German mark jumped from 4.6 million marks to the dollar to 4.2 trillion marks to the dollar. I
Disillusionment
Psychologically, it has been told that World War I had effects similar to those of a revolution. The people who had witnessed the horror and destruction that the war brought about to them experienced a growing sense of distrust towards their political leaders and government officials. Many citizens were also angered that peacemakers had not expressed their ideas and beliefs fervently enough, and others began to ponder the actual cause of the war and the fight of it. Citizens around the world began to gain a feeling of disillusionment as they began to believe that their government had no idea how to serve the best interests of the people. People suffered from the mourning of the loss of their loved ones, and in Western Europe, it was calculated that one of four young men had lost his life in battle. Altogether, the war killed a total of 10 to 13 million people. Nearly a third of those were innocent civilians. For the families of those killed in the war, the future did not look bright. Altogether, World War I and the changed that it brought created a grim acceptance of reality that in turn replaced the optimistic dreams that citizens had in decades past.
Summary
World War I did not completely terminate with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, for its political, economic, and psychological effects remained present decades after the end of the war. Two main political change affected the world, however. A greater number of countries began to adopt more liberal forms of government, and Germany tried to cope with its punishments set out by its victors. The hostilities rose to a point where just decades later, a second world war broke out. Despite the advantages brought forth by developing technologies, the war mostly had a damaging effect on the lives of the citizens. The war had a negative impact on European economy. People’s spirits grew dim as they distrusted the government and tried to deal with the enormous death toll after the war. The turbulent period after World War I called for a major readjustment of politics, economic policies, and views on the world.
Governmental Changes
As a result of World War I, ideas from the socialistic experienced a boom as hey speard not only in Germany and the Austrian empire but also made advances in Britian and France. The most popular type of government to gain influence after the war was the republic. Before the war, Europe contained 19 monarchies and 3 republics, after a few years, there were 13 monarchies, 14 republics, and 2 regencies. As seen revolution was in the air and people began to express their desires for a better way of life.
Effects of a Harsh Peace
The second political effect of World War I centers solely on the treatment of Germany in the Treaty of Versailles of 1919. The Germans were forced to sign a humiliating treaty accepting responsibility for causing the war, as well as paying large sums of money in order to compensate for war costs. In addition, the size of the German state was reduced, while that of Italy and France was enlarged. The Weimar government set up in Germany in 1918 was disliked by most of the citizens and maintained little power in controlling the German state. Rising hostilities toward the rest of Europe grew, and many German soldiers refused to give up fighting, even though Germany's military was ordered to be drastically reduced. Given such orders, numerous German ex-soldiers joined the Freikorps- an establishment of mercenaries available for street-fighting. The open hostility and simmering feelings of revenge exhibited by Germany foreshadowed the start of World War II.
Economic Change
Technology had experienced a great boost after the war, as the production of automobiles, airplanes, radios, and even certain chemicals grew. The advantages of mass production and use of machinery to perform former human labor task along with the implementations of the eight hour work day had come to show the economy, the United States's in particular. After the war through Europe suffered devastating losses of property and landscape along with finances. In 1914, Europe had won the respect of the world by being a reliable money-lender, but just four years later they were in a debt to her allies for their generous financial contributions toward the war effort, owing them as much as $10 billion. In effort to pay back their allies the government of many European countries printed more and more money, only to bring their countries to a period of inflation. Members in the middle class that had been living comfortably on investments were experiencing a rocky financial period. Germany was hit the hardest in terms of struggling with war reparations, and inflations drastically lowered the value of the German mark. In no more than three months in 1923, the German mark jumped from 4.6 million marks to the dollar to 4.2 trillion marks to the dollar. I
Disillusionment
Psychologically, it has been told that World War I had effects similar to those of a revolution. The people who had witnessed the horror and destruction that the war brought about to them experienced a growing sense of distrust towards their political leaders and government officials. Many citizens were also angered that peacemakers had not expressed their ideas and beliefs fervently enough, and others began to ponder the actual cause of the war and the fight of it. Citizens around the world began to gain a feeling of disillusionment as they began to believe that their government had no idea how to serve the best interests of the people. People suffered from the mourning of the loss of their loved ones, and in Western Europe, it was calculated that one of four young men had lost his life in battle. Altogether, the war killed a total of 10 to 13 million people. Nearly a third of those were innocent civilians. For the families of those killed in the war, the future did not look bright. Altogether, World War I and the changed that it brought created a grim acceptance of reality that in turn replaced the optimistic dreams that citizens had in decades past.
Summary
World War I did not completely terminate with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, for its political, economic, and psychological effects remained present decades after the end of the war. Two main political change affected the world, however. A greater number of countries began to adopt more liberal forms of government, and Germany tried to cope with its punishments set out by its victors. The hostilities rose to a point where just decades later, a second world war broke out. Despite the advantages brought forth by developing technologies, the war mostly had a damaging effect on the lives of the citizens. The war had a negative impact on European economy. People’s spirits grew dim as they distrusted the government and tried to deal with the enormous death toll after the war. The turbulent period after World War I called for a major readjustment of politics, economic policies, and views on the world.