World War I
What insights about the experience of fighting in World War I might you derive from these sources? What do they convey about the impact of the war on the outlook of these men? To what extent do these sources reveal the horrors of war in general, and in what ways do they reflect the unique features of World War I?
World War I was very devastating for the entire world, not just mentally but economically and physically. It was even more devastating than the deconstruction physically and economically. The war shuttered almost every expectation, especially when soldiers were being expected to return home for the festivities. The war started in 1914 and ended with a German defeat in November 1918. The war was so lethal that it turned into a total war demanding that countries recruit their entire populations to fight in the war, which led to the expansion of governments of countries. German assumed further control over the economy employing war socialism policies.
Moreover, contributing to the war became industrialized militarism. Europe ensured that military men enjoyed great social prestige, and most heads of states wore uniforms in public. All the Great Powers had substantial standing armies except Britain, which relied on conscription, otherwise known as compulsory military service, to staff them.
The impact of World War I included diplomatic maneuvering, and most countries that have never been allies before the war formed international alliances. Further, there was an alteration of borders. There was also the signing of treaties, particularly the Treaty of Versailles that brought World War I to an end. WW1 changed the world’s economic balance, leaving European countries deep in debt and making the US the leading industrial power and creditor in the world. Inflation alarmingly shot up in most countries, and the German economy was highly affected by having to pay for reparations. The sources describe WW1 as the first global war that had a profound effect on the 20th Century. The war presented extreme horrors such as the massive loss of lives, considering that millions of soldiers had to put their lives on the line to ensure the safety of the citizens and victory for their countries.
The unique features of WW1 include the use of trench warfare. The war also escalated into total war, forcing countries to mobilize the efforts of their entire populations. It was also a two Front-War between the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire) and the Allied Powers comprising Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Japan, and the United States. There was also widespread use of propaganda during the war.