The meaning of the First World War is brief. The meaning of the first world war in brief The historical significance of the 1st world war

Fin de siècle (French - "end of the century")- phenomena that took place in the history of European culture at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries

According to the British historian Eric Hobsbawm, the 19th century begins in content in 1789, that is, with the French Revolution, and ends in 1913. In turn, the 20th century - not a calendar, but a historical 20th century - begins in 1914, with the First World War, and continues until 1991, when global changes took place in the world, primarily the unification of Germany in 1990 and the collapse of the USSR in 1991 -m. Such a chronology allowed Hobsbawm, and after him many other historians, to speak of a "long 19th century" and a "short 20th century."

Thus, the First World War is a kind of prologue to the short twentieth century. It was here that the key themes of the century were identified: social disagreements, geopolitical contradictions, ideological struggle, economic confrontation. This is despite the fact that at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries it seemed to many that the wars in Europe had sunk into oblivion. If there are collisions, then only on the periphery, in the colonies. The development of science and technology, the refined culture of the Fin de siècle, according to many contemporaries, did not imply a "carnage" that cost millions of lives and buried four great empires. This is the first war in the world that has a total character: all social strata of the population, all spheres of life were affected. There was nothing left that was not involved in this war.

Crown Prince Wilhelm of Prussia // europeana1914-1918

balance of power

The main participants: the countries of the Entente, which included the Russian Empire, the French Republic and Great Britain, and the Central Powers, represented by Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria.

Vae victis

(Russian "woe to the vanquished") a Latin catch phrase that implies that the winners always dictate the terms

The question arises: what united each of these countries? What were the aims of each of the parties to the conflict? These questions are all the more important because after the signing of the Versailles Peace Treaty on June 28, 1919, all responsibility for unleashing the war will fall on Germany (Article 231). Of course, all this can be justified on the basis of the universal principle of Vae victis. But is Germany alone to blame for this war? Was it only she and her allies who wanted this war? Of course not.

Germany wanted war just as much as France and Great Britain wanted war. Slightly less interested in this were Russia, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire, which turned out to be the weakest links in this conflict.

World War I // British Library

5 billion francs

This amount of indemnity was paid by France after the defeat in the Franco-Prussian War

Interests of participating countries

In 1871, the triumphant unification of Germany took place in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. A second empire was formed. The proclamation took place against the backdrop of the Franco-Prussian War, when France was suffering a catastrophic defeat. This became a national disgrace: not only was Napoleon III, emperor of all the French, captured almost immediately, only ruins remained of the second empire in France. The Paris Commune arises, another revolution, as often happens in France.

The war ends with France agreeing to Germany's defeat by signing the Frankfurt Treaty of 1871, according to which Alsace and Lorraine are alienated in favor of Germany and become imperial territories.

Third French Republic

(French Troisième République) - the political regime that existed in France from September 1870 to June 1940

In addition, France undertakes to pay Germany an indemnity of 5 billion francs. To a large extent, this money went to the development of the German economy, which subsequently led to its unprecedented rise by the 1890s. But the point is not even in the financial side of the issue, but in the national humiliation experienced by the French. And more than one generation will remember him from 1871 until 1914.

It was then that the ideas of revanchism arise, which unite the entire Third Republic, born in the crucibles of the Franco-Prussian War. It becomes unimportant who you are: a socialist, a monarchist, a centrist - everyone is united by the idea of ​​revenge on Germany and the return of Alsace and Lorraine.

Russo-Turkish War

the war of 1877 - 178, caused by the rise of the national self-consciousness of the Slavic population in the Balkans

Britannia

Britain was preoccupied with German economic dominance in Europe and the world. By the 1890s, Germany ranks first in terms of GDP in Europe, pushing Britain into second place. The British government cannot accept this fact, given that for many centuries Britain was the "workshop of the world", the most economically developed country. Now Britain is seeking some sort of revenge, but economic.

Russia

For Russia, the key topic was the question of the Slavs, that is, the Slavic peoples living in the Balkans. The ideas of pan-Slavism, which gain momentum in the 1860s, lead to the Russian-Turkish war in the 1870s, this idea remains in the 1880s–1890s, and so it passes into the 20th century, and finally embodied by 1915. The main idea was the return of Constantinople, to put a cross over Hagia Sophia. In addition, the return of Constantinople was supposed to solve all the problems with the straits, with the transition from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. This was one of the main geopolitical goals of Russia. And plus everything, of course, to push the Germans out of the Balkans.

As we can see, several interests of the main participating countries intersect here at once. Thus, in considering this issue, the political, geopolitical, economic, and cultural levels are equally important. Do not forget that during the war, at least in its first years, culture becomes the basic part of the ideology. The anthropological level is no less important. War affects a person from different sides, and he begins to exist in this war. Another question is whether he was ready for this war? Did he imagine what kind of war it would be? People who went through the First World War, lived in the conditions of this war, after its end became completely different. Not a trace will remain of beautiful Europe. Everything will change: social relations, domestic policy, social policy. No country will ever be the same as it was in 1913.

World War I // wikipedia.org

Franz Ferdinand - Archduke of Austria

Formal cause for conflict

The formal reason for the start of the war was the assassination of Franz Ferdinand. Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, and his wife were shot dead in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. The killer turned out to be a terrorist from the Serbian nationalist organization Mlada Bosna. The Sarajevo assassination caused an unprecedented scandal, in which all the main participants in the conflict were involved and to some extent interested.

Austria-Hungary protests Serbia and asks for an investigation with the participation of the Austrian police in order to identify terrorist organizations directed against Austria-Hungary. Parallel to this, intense diplomatic secret consultations are taking place between Serbia and the Russian Empire on the one hand, and between Austria-Hungary and the German Empire on the other.

Was there a way out of the current impasse or not? It turned out that no. On July 23, Austria-Hungary delivered an ultimatum to Serbia, giving it 48 hours to respond. In turn, Serbia agreed to all the conditions, except for one related to the fact that the secret services of Austria-Hungary would begin to make arrests and take out terrorists and suspicious persons to Austria-Hungary without notifying the Serbian side. Austria, reinforced by the support of Germany, declares war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. In response to this, the Russian Empire declares mobilization, to which the German Empire protests and demands to stop the mobilization, in the event of non-cessation, the German side reserves the right to start its own mobilization. On July 31, a general mobilization was announced in the Russian Empire. In response, on August 1, 1914, Germany declared war on Russia. The war has begun. On August 3, France joins it, on August 4 - Great Britain, and all the main participants begin hostilities.

July 31, 1914

mobilization of Russian soldiers to participate in the First World War

It is important to note that when announcing mobilization, no one talks about their selfish interests. Everyone proclaims the lofty ideals behind this war. For example, help to the fraternal Slavic peoples, help to the fraternal German peoples and the empire. Accordingly, France and Russia are bound by allied treaties, this is allied assistance. This also applies to Britain. It is interesting to note that already in September 1914, another protocol was signed between the Entente countries, that is, between Great Britain, Russia and France - a declaration on the non-conclusion of a separate peace. The same document will be signed by the Entente countries in November 1915. Thus, we can say that among the allies there were suspicions and significant fears in matters of trust in each other: what if someone breaks loose and concludes a separate peace with the enemy side.

Propaganda Karten // wikipedia.org

Schlieffen Plan

the strategic plan of the military command of the German Empire, developed at the beginning of the 20th century by Alfred von Schlieffen to achieve a quick victory in the First World War

World War I as a new type of war

Germany waged war in accordance with the Schlieffen Plan, developed by the Prussian Field Marshal General and member of the German General Staff von Schlieffen. It was supposed to concentrate all forces on the right flank, inflict a lightning strike on France, and only after that switch to the Russian front.

So, Schlieffen develops this plan just at the end of the 19th century. As we can see, his tactics were based on blitzkrieg - delivering lightning strikes that stun the enemy, bring chaos and sow panic among the enemy troops.

Wilhelm II was sure that Germany would have time to defeat France before the general mobilization in Russia ended. After that, it was planned to transfer the main contingent of German troops to the East, that is, to Prussia, and organize an offensive operation already against the Russian Empire. This is exactly what Wilhelm II meant when he declared that he would have breakfast in Paris and dinner in St. Petersburg.

Treaty of Versailles

Treaty signed on June 28, 1919 at the Palace of Versailles in France, officially ending the First World War

Forced deviations from this plan began already from the first days of the war. So, the German troops moved too slowly through the territory of neutral Belgium. The main blow to France came from Belgium. In this case, Germany grossly violated international agreements and neglected the concept of neutrality. What will then be reflected in the Versailles Peace Treaty, as well as those crimes, primarily the export of cultural property from Belgian cities, and is regarded by the world community as nothing more than "German barbarism" and savagery.

To repel the German offensive, France asked the Russian Empire to hastily launch a counteroffensive in East Prussia in order to pull part of the troops from the Western Front to the Eastern. Russia successfully carried out this operation, which largely saved France from the surrender of Paris.

Kingdom of Poland

Territory in Europe that was part of the Russian Empire from 1815 to 1917

Retreat in Russia

In 1914, Russia won a number of victories, primarily on the Southwestern Front. In fact, Russia inflicts a crushing defeat on Austria-Hungary, occupies Lviv (then it was the Austrian city of Lemberg), occupies Bukovina, that is, Chernivtsi, Galicia and approaches the Carpathians.

But already in 1915, a great retreat began, tragic for the Russian army. It turned out that there was a catastrophic lack of ammunition, according to the documents they should have been, but in fact they were not. In 1915, Russian Poland, that is, the Kingdom of Poland (Privislinsky region), was lost, the conquered Galicia, Vilna, modern western Belarus were lost. The Germans are actually approaching Riga, leaving Courland - for the Russian front it will be a disaster. And since 1916, in the army, especially among the soldiers, there has been a general fatigue from the war. Discontent begins on the Russian front, of course, this will affect the disintegration of the army and play its tragic role in the revolutionary events of 1917. According to archival documents, we see that the censors, through whom the soldiers' letters passed, note decadent moods, the lack of fighting spirit in the Russian army since 1916. It is interesting that the Russian soldiers, who for the most part were peasants, begin to engage in self-mutilation - shoot themselves in the leg, in the arm in order to leave the front as soon as possible and end up in their native village.

Anti-Serb uprisings in Sarajevo. 1914 // wikipedia.org

5000 people

Died as a result of the use of chlorine as a weapon by German troops

The total nature of war

One of the main tragedies of the war will be the use of poisonous gases in 1915. On the Western Front, at the Battle of Ypres, for the first time in history, chlorine was used by German troops, as a result, it will claim the lives of 5,000 people. The First World War is technological, it is a war of engineering systems, inventions, high technologies. This war is not only on land, it is under water. So, German submarines dealt crushing blows to the British fleet. This is a war in the air: aviation was used both as a means of finding out the positions of the enemy (reconnaissance function), and for delivering strikes, that is, bombing.

The First World War is a war where there is no longer much room for valor and courage. Due to the fact that the war already in 1915 took on a positional character, there were no direct clashes when one could see the face of the enemy, look into his eyes. There is no enemy in sight. Death begins to be perceived in a completely different way, because it appears out of nowhere. In this sense, the gas attack is a symbol of this desacralized and demystified death.

"Verdun meat grinder"

Battle of Verdun - fighting on the Western Front, carried out from February 21 to December 18, 1916

The First World War is a colossal number of victims, unprecedented before. We can recall the so-called "Verdun meat grinder", where there were 750 thousand killed by France and England, by Germany - 450 thousand, that is, the total losses of the parties amounted to more than a million people! Bloodshed on this scale history has not yet known. The horror of what is happening, the presence of death from nowhere cause aggression and frustration. That is why, in the end, all this causes such bitterness, which will result in outbreaks of aggression and violence already in peacetime after the First World War. Compared with 1913, there is an increase in cases of domestic violence: fights in the streets, domestic violence, conflicts at work, etc.

In many ways, this allows researchers to talk about the readiness of the population for totalitarianism and violent, repressive practices. Here we can recall, first of all, the experience of Germany, where in 1933 National Socialism was victorious. This is also a kind of continuation of the First World War.

That is why there is an opinion that it is impossible to separate the First and Second World Wars. That it was one war that began in 1914 and ended only in 1945. And what happened from 1919 to 1939 was just a truce, because the population was still living with the ideas of war and was ready to fight further.

Map of Germany in 1919 // Alisa Serbinenko for PostNauka

Woodrow Wilson - 28th President of the United States (1913-1921)

Aftermath of World War I

The war, which began on August 1, 1914, continued until November 11, 1918, when an armistice was signed between Germany and the Entente countries. By 1918, the Entente was represented by France and Great Britain. The Russian Empire will leave this union in 1917, when in October there will be a Bolshevik coup of a revolutionary type. The first decree of Lenin will be the Decree on peace without annexations and indemnities to all warring powers on October 25, 1917. True, none of the warring powers will support this decree, except for Soviet Russia.

At the same time, Russia will officially withdraw from the war only on March 3, 1918, when the famous Treaty of Brest-Litovsk of 1918 is signed in Brest-Litovsk, according to which Germany and its allies, on the one hand, and Soviet Russia, on the other, ceased hostilities against each other. At the same time, Soviet Russia lost part of its territories, primarily Ukraine, Belarus and the entire Baltic. No one even thought about Poland, and, in fact, no one needed it. The logic of Lenin and Trotsky in this matter was very simple: we do not bargain for territories, because the world revolution will win anyway. Moreover, in August 1918, an additional agreement to the Brest Peace would be signed, according to which Russia would undertake to pay indemnities to Germany, and even the first transfer would be made - 93 tons of gold. So, Russia leaves, which will be a violation of the allied obligations that the tsarist government assumed and to which the Provisional Government was loyal.

By 1918, the need for finding a way to compromise with the Entente countries became obvious to the leadership of Germany. At the same time, I wanted to lose as little as possible. It was for this purpose that a counteroffensive was proposed on the Western Front in the spring and summer of 1918. The operation was extremely unsuccessful for Germany, which only increased discontent among the troops and among the civilian population. In addition, a revolution took place in Germany on November 9th. Its instigators were sailors in Kiel, who revolted, not wanting to follow the order of the command. On November 11, 1918, the Armistice of Compiègne was signed between Germany and the Entente countries. It should be noted that the armistice is signed in Compiègne in Marshal Foch's carriage not by chance. This will be done at the insistence of the French side, for which it was very important to overcome the defeat complex in the Franco-Prussian War. France will insist on this place in order for an act of revenge to take place, that is, satisfaction will occur. It must be said that the carriage will surface again in 1940, when it will be brought in again so that Hitler accepts the surrender of France in it.

On June 28, 1919, a peace treaty with Germany is signed. It was a humiliating world for her, she was losing all her overseas colonies, part of Schleswig, Silesia and Prussia. Germany was forbidden to have a submarine fleet, to develop and have the latest weapons systems. The contract, however, did not specify the amount that Germany had to pay as reparations, since France and Britain could not agree among themselves due to France's excessive appetites. It was unprofitable for Britain to create such a strong France. Therefore, the amount was not entered in the end. It was finally determined only in 1921. Under the London Accords of 1921, Germany had to pay 132 billion gold marks.

Germany was declared the sole culprit in unleashing the conflict. And, in fact, all the restrictions and sanctions imposed on it followed from this. The Treaty of Versailles had disastrous consequences for Germany. The Germans felt insulted and humiliated, which led to the rise of nationalist forces. During the 14 difficult years of the Weimar Republic - from 1919 to 1933 - any political force set as its goal the revision of the Treaty of Versailles. First of all, no one recognized the eastern borders. The Germans turned into a divided people, part of which remained in the Reich, in Germany, part in Czechoslovakia (Sudetland), part in Poland. And in order to feel national unity, it is necessary to reunite the great German people. This formed the basis of the political slogans of the National Socialists, the Social Democrats, the moderate conservatives, and other political forces.

The results of the war for the participating countries and the idea of ​​great powers

For Austria-Hungary, the consequences of defeat in the war turned into a national catastrophe and the collapse of the multinational Habsburg empire. Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I, who over the 68 years of his reign became a kind of symbol of the empire, died in 1916. He was replaced by Charles I, who failed to stop the centrifugal national forces of the empire, which, coupled with military defeats, led to the collapse of Austria-Hungary. Four of the greatest empires perished in the crucibles of the First World War: Russian, Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and German. New states will emerge in their place: Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. At the same time, grievances and disagreements, as well as territorial claims of new countries to each other, remained. Hungary was dissatisfied with the borders that were determined for it in accordance with the agreements reached, because Greater Hungary should also include Croatia.

It seemed to everyone that the First World War would solve the problems, but it created new ones and deepened the old ones.

Bulgaria is dissatisfied with the borders that she got, because Great Bulgaria should include almost all the territories up to Constantinople. The Serbs also considered themselves deprived. In Poland, the idea of ​​Greater Poland - from sea to sea - is becoming widespread. Perhaps Czechoslovakia was the only happy exception of all the new Eastern European states, which was happy with everything. After the First World War, in many countries of Europe, the idea of ​​\u200b\u200btheir own greatness and significance arose, which led to the creation of myths about national exceptionalism and their political formulation in the interwar period.

The First World War (1914-1918) was of great importance for the subsequent development of world history. The main result of the First World War was the collapse of the four largest empires of the Old World - Russian, Ottoman, German and Autro-Hungarian. A new stage in the development of civilization began in the world.

Results of the First World War for Russia

Already a year before the end of hostilities, Russia for internal reasons withdrew from the Entente and concluded the shameful Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany. The revolution carried out by the Bolsheviks changed the course of history for Russia, which will now never have access to the Mediterranean.

The First World War had not yet ended, as the Civil War flared in the territories of the former Russian Empire until 1922.

Rice. 1. Map of the Civil War in Russia.

The new government set out to build communism through socialism, which led to international diplomatic isolation.

Let's take a look at the points, what were the consequences of participation in the First World War:

TOP 4 articleswho read along with this

  • The outbreak of the Civil War claimed more than 10 million people killed and crippled even more people.
  • During the Civil War, more than 2 million people emigrated abroad.
  • Russia concluded the shameful Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, according to which it lost vast territories in the west.
  • Foreign intervention took a heavy toll on the frontier regions of the former empire.
  • The formed USSR fell into diplomatic isolation due to its opposition to capitalism, which took a course towards building socialism and proclaimed the idea of ​​a world revolution, which turned the entire world community, including former allies, away from itself.
  • The USSR was not admitted to the League of Nations for many years, which happened only in 1933.
  • Russia forever lost the chance to take possession of the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles.
  • The USSR, formed on the territory of the Russian Empire, refused the historical continuity of the empire's heritage, which was the reason to exclude it from the list of victorious countries. The Soviet Union did not receive any dividends after the victory over Germany.
  • The huge economic damage caused to the country from 1914 to 1922 had to be restored for several decades.

Rice. 2. Territories of Soviet Russia following the results of the Brest Peace.

While in exile, the Russian army of Baron Wrangel for many years did not lose hope of returning to Russia and continuing the struggle against Bolshevism. The White Guards fought against the Bolsheviks during the revolution in Bulgaria, in Bizerte (Tunisia) the White Guard fleet was on alert for more than ten years, and the Russian army, being in Gallipoli (Turkey) and the same Bizerte, held reviews every day and demonstrated high combat readiness . Not a single state has been able to disarm the White émigré military formations. They did it themselves when there was no hope of returning to Russia to continue the struggle.

Briefly about the results of the First World War

The result of the victory of the Entente was the solution of the main tasks that the victorious countries set for themselves. The United States entered the course of the war in 1917, choosing for itself the policy of entering world wars at the very last moment in order to receive maximum dividends as one of the main participants and positioning itself as a state that decided the outcome of the war.

Rice. 3. Territorial changes in Europe after the war.

In total, after the conclusion of the Treaty of Versailles with Germany, the following territorial changes took place in the world:

  • Britain received new colonies in Southwest Africa, Iraq, Palestine, Togo and Cameroon, Northeast New Guinea and a number of small islands;
  • Belgium - Rwanda, Burundi and other small territories in Africa;
  • Greece was given Western Thrace;
  • Denmark - Northern Schleswig;
  • Italy expanded into Tyrol and Istria;
  • Romania received Transylvania, Bukovina, Bessarabia;
  • France took control of the desired Alsace and Lorraine, as well as Syria, Lebanon, and most of Cameroon;
  • Japan - German islands in the Pacific Ocean;
  • Yugoslavia was formed on the territory of the former Austria-Hungary;

In addition, the Bosphorus, the Dardanelles and the Rhine region were demilitarized. Germany and Austria became republics, as did many nation-states on the territory of the former Russian Empire.

The military results of the war include the acceleration of the development of new weapons and tactics of warfare. The First World War gave the world submarines, tanks, gas attacks and a gas mask, a flamethrower, anti-aircraft guns. New types of artillery appeared and rapid-fire weapons were modernized. The role of the engineering troops increased and the participation of the cavalry decreased.

The huge loss of life was mourned around the world - more than 10 million people among the military and more than 12 million civilians.

The prolonged First World War caused enormous damage to the economies of countries that had been working for the needs of the front for 4 years. During this time, the role of the military-industrial complex, state economic planning has increased, a network of paved roads has developed, and dual-use products have emerged.

What have we learned?

The end of the war forever changed the world order and the political map. However, not all the lessons she taught were taken up by the victors, which would later lead to the Second World War.

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History of the new time. Crib Alekseev Viktor Sergeevich

92. RESULTS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR

The First World War led to serious shifts in the economic situation of the entire colonial world, disrupting the international trade relations that had developed before the war. Since the import of industrial products from the mother countries was reduced, the colonies and dependent countries were able to organize the production of many goods that were previously imported from outside, and this entailed a more accelerated development of national capitalism. As a result of the war, great damage was done to the agriculture of the colonies and dependent countries.

During the First World War, the anti-war movement of workers intensified in the countries participating in the hostilities, which by the end of the war grew into a revolutionary one. A further deterioration in the condition of the working masses led to a revolutionary explosion - first in Russia in February and October 1917, and then in Germany and Hungary in 1918-1919.

There was no unity among the victorious powers on the issues of the post-war order of the world. After the end of the war, France turned out to be the most powerful militarily. At the heart of her program for the redivision of the world was the desire to weaken Germany as much as possible. France sought to transfer the German western border to the Rhine, demanded from Germany a large sum to compensate for the damage caused by the war (reparations), to reduce and limit the German armed forces. The program for the post-war organization of the world put forward by France also included colonial claims to some German colonies in Africa, to part of the Asia Minor territories of the former Ottoman Empire. But the debt on war loans from the United States and England weakened the position of France, and she had to compromise with her allies when discussing issues of a peaceful settlement. The British plan proceeded from the need to eliminate the naval power of Germany and its colonial empire. At the same time, the British ruling circles sought to preserve a strong imperialist Germany in the center of Europe in order to use it in the struggle against Soviet Russia and the revolutionary movement in Europe, and also as a counterbalance to France. Therefore, there were many contradictions in the English peace program. The implementation of the English plan for the redivision of the world was also hampered by England's large debt to the United States of America for the supply of weapons and goods during the war. Only the United States emerged from the war financially absolutely independently, and in economic development surpassed all countries in the world. Japan, Italy, Poland and Romania also made aggressive demands.

The peace conference opened in Paris on January 18, 1919. It was attended by 27 states that belonged to the camp of the victors. Soviet Russia was deprived of the opportunity to participate in this conference. At the Paris Peace Conference, the issue of establishing the League of Nations was resolved, designed to ensure universal peace by resolving emerging conflicts. The permanent members of the Council of the League of Nations were the five major victorious powers: the USA, England, France, Italy and Japan, and the four non-permanent members were to be elected by the Assembly from among the other countries that were members of the League of Nations. The charter of the League of Nations was signed by representatives of 45 states. The states of the German bloc and Soviet Russia were not admitted to it. Under the influence of the anti-war sentiments of the masses, the Paris Conference included in the Charter of the League of Nations an article providing for economic sanctions and collective military actions of the members of the League of Nations against the state that committed the aggression. In 1921, the Council of the League decided to counter the aggressor only with economic sanctions.

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From the book General History in Questions and Answers author Tkachenko Irina Valerievna

16. What were the results of World War II? What changes took place in Europe and the world after World War II? The Second World War left a seal on the entire history of the world in the second half of the twentieth century. During the war, 60 million lives were lost in Europe, many should be added to this.

From the book Domestic History: Cheat Sheet author author unknown

68. CAUSES AND RESULTS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR At the beginning of the XX century. in the international arena, contradictions between various states escalated, which ultimately led to the unleashing of a world war in 1914. The main rivals were the leading European states - England

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2. Outcomes of the First World War: clearing the field for the Anglo-Saxon project

The First World War is an event of world-historical significance. The scale of World War I was unparalleled in human history. The war lasted 4 years and 3 months (from July 28, 1914 to November 11, 1918).

It was attended by 33 states (with dominions and India - 38) with a population of 62% of the world. During the war, about 9.5 million people were killed and died from their wounds, the victims of the civilian population - from 7 to 12 million people, about 55 million people were injured.

Causes of World War I

The main reason for the outbreak of World War I was the desire of the leading powers, primarily England, France and Austria-Hungary, to redistribute the world. The fact is that the colonial system collapsed by the beginning of the 20th century. The leading European states, which previously prospered due to the exploitation of the colonies, now could not get resources just like that, taking them from the Indians, Africans and South Americans. Now the resources had only to win back from each other. As a result, contradictions arose.

Between England and Germany:

England did not want to allow the strengthening of Germany's influence in the Balkans. The Germans sought to gain a foothold in the Balkans and the Middle East, and also sought to deprive the British of maritime dominance.

Between Germany and France:

The French wanted to regain the lands of Alsace and Lorraine, lost in the war of 1870-1871. France also wanted to capture the German Saar coal basin.

Between Germany and Russia:

The Germans sought to take Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic states from the Russian Empire.

Between Russia and Austria-Hungary:

The conflict arose because of the desire of both states to influence the Balkans, as well as the desire of the Russians to subjugate the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles.

Cause of the First World War

The reason for the war was the assassination of the heir to the Austrian and Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand (). Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia. Serbia was unable to fulfill all of its points and on July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. The Russian Empire could not stand aside, since giving Serbia to Austria-Hungary meant allowing the establishment of domination by the Austro-German bloc over the entire Balkan Peninsula.

On July 31, mobilization began in Russia to provide assistance to Serbia. Germany began to demand that the Russians stop mobilizing. The Russian Empire did not do this, and then the Germans, as allies of Austria-Hungary, declared war on Russia on August 1.

Goals and plans of participants

Russia

1) Control over the Bosphorus and Dardanelles; 2) Strengthening influence in the Balkans; 3) An attempt to stop the impending revolution.

England

1) Preservation of their colonies; 2) Strengthening influence on the world economy.

France

1) Strengthening of colonial possessions; 2) Return of the region of Alsace and Lorraine.

Germany

1) The crushing of France and Russia; 2) Accession of the Baltic and Polish lands; 3) Accession of part of the French colonies in Africa; 4) Settle in Turkey and the Balkans.

Austria-Hungary

1) Subjugation of the Balkan states.

Course of the First World War

Campaign of 1914

August 2 - the Germans completely occupied Luxembourg, and an ultimatum was put forward to Belgium on the passage of German troops to the border with France;

Campaign of 1915

In the winter of 1914-1915, there was a battle between Russians and Austrians for the passes in the Carpathians. March 10 (23) ended the Siege of Przemysl
battle of Ypres, Dardanelles operation February 19, 1915

Campaign of 1916
Campaign of 1917
Campaign of 1918

Russia's withdrawal from the war;

In July-August the second Battle of the Marne took place;

Results of the First World War

The Treaty of Versailles, signed by Germany, officially ended the First World War.

The Civil War, and the October Revolution in Russia, the November Revolution in Germany were the consequences of the First World War;

New states emerged: Soviet Russia, Finland, Poland, Hungary. Austria, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Baltic countries;

Germany, ceased to be a monarchy, lost most of its territories, was weakened economically. Also, she had to pay reparations to European countries. In addition, she was forced to abandon modern types of weapons;

The empire of the Romanovs, the Habsburgs, the Gogezollerns and the Turkish sultans collapsed;

A new system of international relations has taken shape;

Until May 1, 1921, Germany undertook to pay the Allies 20 billion marks in gold, goods, ships and securities;

Kars and Batum went to Turkey;

America began to play a leading role in the world;

The influence of Japan, China has increased;

The main contradictions in the international arena, which will lead to a new world war, have been preserved.

Early 20th century characterized by an intensification of the struggle between countries for the markets of raw materials and the sale of goods, for dominance in the international arena. In connection with the expansion of German expansion, Russia and Great Britain in 1907 signed an agreement on the division of spheres of influence in Iran, Afghanistan and Tibet. Following the "cordial agreement" between France and England in 1904, the Russian-English agreement led to the formation of the Russian-French-English alliance, which finally took shape in 1907 and received the name Entente. Europe split into two hostile camps - the Triple Alliance (Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary) and the Entente (France, England, Russia). The First World War began.

Causes of World War I

  • The aggravation of contradictions between the industrial powers because of the markets for the sources of raw materials, spheres of influence.
  • The struggle for the redistribution of the world between the Triple Alliance and the Entente.
  • The desire of developed countries for expansion - territorial, military-political, financial, economic, socio-cultural expansion.

Russia's goals in the war

  • Strengthening Russia's positions in the Balkans in the course of rendering assistance to the Slavic peoples.
  • Fight for control of the Black Sea! straits.
  • Opposition to the aggression of Austria-Hungary against Serbia.

Reason for war

June 28, 1914. The murder of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was committed in Sarajevo by a Bosnian high school student Gavrilo Princip, a Serb by nationality.

World War I.
MAIN EVENTS

1914
July 23 Austria-Hungary, with the support of Germany, accused Serbia of the murder that had taken place and put forward an ultimatum to her.
July 28th Austria-Hungary announced the failure to comply with the ultimatum and declared war on Serbia.
July 30-31 Mobilization began in Russia.
August 1 Germany, in response to the mobilization that had begun, declared war on Russia.
August 3rd Germany declared war on France.
August 4 England entered the war.
August 6 Austria-Hungary declared war on Russia.
Autumn A number of military operations were carried out, the capture of Lvov by Russian troops, the defeat of the 2nd Russian army.
Results: 1) the strategic plan of Germany was thwarted - the lightning-fast and successive defeat of France and Russia, 2) neither side achieved decisive successes.

1915
During a year The main hostilities are transferred to the Eastern Front, the goal is to defeat the Russian troops.
Spring Summer A breakthrough of the German troops was carried out: Russian troops were ousted from Galicia, Poland, part of the Baltic States, Ukraine and Belarus.
8 September Nicholas II assumed the role of commander-in-chief.
By the end of the year The war on all fronts took on a positional character, which was extremely disadvantageous for Germany. The German command decided to once again shift its efforts to the Western Front, making a breakthrough in the area of ​​the French fortress of Verdun.
Results: 1) Germany's strategic plan to withdraw Russia from the war was thwarted; 2) the struggle acquired a positional character on all fronts.

1916
February 13-16 Russian troops occupied Erzurum.
March 18-30 The Naroch operation was carried out - the offensive of the Russian troops, which did not have a military success, but eased the position of the allies near Verdun.
May 22 - September 7 During the Brusilov breakthrough of the Russian troops on the Southwestern Front, the armies of Austria-Hungary and Germany were defeated.
During a year Germany lost the strategic initiative.
Results: 1) the offensive of the Russian troops saved the French fortress of Verdun, 2) Germany lost the strategic initiative, 3) Romania took the side of the Entente.

1917-1918
Winter 1917 The Mitav and Trebizond operations were carried out.
April 18, 1917 A note was published by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Provisional Government of Russia, P. N. Milyukov, on Russia's fidelity to allied obligations. The document is addressed to the governments of the Entente countries.
November 7, 1917 October Revolution in Russia. The Bolsheviks who came to power immediately adopted the Decree on Peace.
December 15, 1917 Soviet Russia signed a separate armistice with Germany and Turkey.
February 18, 1918 The offensive of the Austro-German troops along the entire Eastern Front after the refusal of the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet government L. D. Trotsky to agree to the German ultimatum.
March 3, 1918 The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was concluded between Soviet Russia and the Central European powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary), and Turkey.
Results: 1) the Russian army is completely demoralized, the people demand peace, 2) on November 20 (December 3), 1917, the Bolsheviks who took power began peace negotiations, and on March 3, 1918, the Brest Peace was signed.

The results of the war for Russia

  • The Russian Empire lost Poland, Finland, the Baltic States, Ukraine and part of Belarus (the territories were ceded to Germany, some of them were formally declared independent).
  • Russia conceded Kars, Ardagan, Batum to Turkey.
  • Germany was paid 6 billion marks in indemnity.

The impact of the war on Russian society

At the beginning of hostilities, the country was captured by a wave of patriotism. But after the first defeats of the Russian army, a significant part of society realized the hopelessness of the war for Russia.

The First World War greatly complicated the lives of people. The orientation of the industry towards military orders led to a shortage of consumer goods, which caused a significant increase in their prices. In addition, the congestion of railways with military transport led to interruptions in the supply of products to large cities.

By 1916, the strike movement had regained strength, and along with economic demands, there were also political ones. Due to the difficult economic situation, the peasants did not want to sell agricultural products, preferring to wait for better times. By the end of 1916, in 31 provinces, the government was forced to introduce surplus appropriation- forced delivery of bread at fixed prices.

Unrest in the rear led to a drop in discipline at the front. Huge and often unjustified losses negatively affected the morale of the army and public opinion about the war. Losses at the front and instability in the economy also led to a decrease in the authority of the imperial power. It came to open criticism of the actions of Nicholas II from various parties. A flurry of discontent was caused by the figure of G. Rasputin, who was close to the emperor's family and, using his influence on the empress, intervened in matters relating to government. In Russia gradually

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