World War 1 causes and consequences

¶ … First World War started in 1914 and its responsible for the acceleration of a series of social, political, economic and cultural developments. "Its immediate consequences -- the Russian Revolution, the political and social upheavals of 1918-22 all over Europe, the redrawing of the maps with the emergence of new national states -- have determined the course of history in the twentieth century." (James Joll, Gordon Martel, page 1) After the war ended, the Treaty of Versailles was signed, in June 1919, in which Germans and their allies were found accountable for the conflict. The Treaty of Versailles determined the borders of Middle East Europe and created an international peace organization named the League of Nations.

Franz Ferdinand's assassination resulted in various differences between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. Austria-Hungary, as many other countries in the world, claimed that the Serbian government was to blame for the assassination. Austria-Hungary did not declare war until Germany decided that it will sustain the cause. Serbia was sustained by Russia and its allies. On July 5, Kaiser Wilhelm, the German leader, gave his "blank check" promise that he will totally support Austria-Hungary in the war. Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum regarding Serbia, but it was impossible for it to accept and respect it. Because of this, Serbia asked Russia to sustain it in the coming war. The peace between Europe's great powers crushed once Austria-Hungary announced the beginning of war against Serbia; on July 28. In August 1914 the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Ottoman Empire) declared war to the Allied Powers (Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy and Japan).

Germany fought on two fronts: the Western Front and the Eastern Front. "The campaigns on the Western Front fall into several easily identifiable phases. The first began with Germany's execution of the Schlieffen Plan in August 1914." (Gary Sheffield, page 6) On the Western Front Germans attacked France through Belgium. Although Belgium was a neutral country Germany invaded it using powerful weapons and a clever strategy. After their attack in Belgium, not only did soldiers die, but also civilians and the cities through which Germans passed were destroyed. Germans were able to advance until Paris's vicinity, but failed to pass the Allied lines at Ypres in early November. In the battle at Verdun and the one from Somme many people lost their lives.

The Battle of Verdun caused the death of hundreds of men. After this battle Germany could not reorganize, on the Western Front, an attack which was similar to the Battle of Verdun, until 1918. France was also affected by the battle at Verdun. "Jofre, blamed for his failed offensives in 1915 and being surprised at Verdun, was forced to retire in December. Robert Nivelle replaced him." (Spencer C. Tucker, Priscilla Mary Roberts, page 1927)

The second important battle from the Western Front was the Battle of Somme from 1916. "Because of French absorption with Verdun, a joint effort on the Somme became impossible. The purpose of the attack also changed to relieving German pressure on Verdun." (Spencer C. Tucker, Priscilla Mary Roberts, page 1927) In the Battle of the Somme Haig, a British commander, used tanks and established the Tank Corps Headquarters. He was then criticized for using the tanks too soon.

The Eastern Front was the largest battlefield from World War I. Russia, and from 1916 Romania, fought on one side and Germany and Austria-Hungary on the other one. Also, on the Eastern Front trenches were built, but due to a lack of manpower warfare was more fluid. "Handicapping lengthy advances by either side, however, were the region's primitive transportation network and harsh winter conditions, on which successful offensive inevitably ground to a halt." (Spencer C. Tucker, Priscilla Mary Roberts, page 611)

After Russian troops invaded German Poland and East Prussia, in August 1914 Russia was defeated by Germany at Tannenberg. Germany needed to take two army groups from the Western Front to defend themselves from the Russian assaults. This action caused the defeat of Germany in the Battle of Marne.

Due to Russia's inability to pass through German line, in 1917 Russian Revolution was triggered. The monarch was changed with Vladimir Lenin. In December 1917, he signed an armistice with the Central Powers, "freeing German troops to face the other Allies on the Western Front." (World War I)

The battle of Tannenberg was the first important fight from the Eastern Front. The battle began on 26 August 1914; with Russians on one side, and the Germans on the other side. The Germans found about Russian plans through radio messages which were decoded and defeated the Red Army on Masurian Lakes in 8-14 September. The Austro-Hungarian army wanted to invade Serbia, but its plan was aggravated by the Russian army's intervention. The Austro-Hungarian army needed to fight both the Serbian army and the Russian army and as a result it could not conquer Serbia.

In 1914 the Ottoman Empire joined the War on the Central Powers side. The Allies tried to defeat the Ottoman Empire, but their plan was a total failure. They were defeated first on the Dardanelles, and although they invaded the Gallipoli Peninsula in January 1916 they needed to retreat their army from the Peninsula. British and Italian troops also fought against the Turk army. In 1915 the First Battle of the Isonzo took place. The second Battle of the Isonzo, the Battle of Caporetto, took place two years after that, and was proven to be a success for Austria-Hungary. Due to German aggression on the sea, in 1917 the United States of America joined the war as part of the allied army. Soon after their entrance in the war, the Americans declared war against Germany.