World war 1: why where when and its aftermath

When – 28th july 1914 to 11 November 1918.

Among whom – allied vs central powers

Central powers- Germany , Austria, Hungary , Bulgaria and the ottoman empire.

Allied powers – France, Britain, Canada, Australia, British India, Russia, Serbia, Japan, Italy, USA, China, Greece, Portugal

Causes – 1. On june 28 1914, gavrilo princip , a Bosnian Serb Yugoslav nationalist assassinated the austro-Hungarian heir Archduke franz Ferdinand in sarajevo,Bosnia.

2, conflict between imperialist countries- conflict between the old imperialist countries like Britain and France vs new imperialist countries (Germany )

3. Military allaince – triple alliance or central powers( Germany, italy,Austria Hungary) vs triple entente or allies(Britain France, Russia). Italy was a member of triple allaince but it did not join the central powere because Austria Hungary become offensive which was against the terms of alliance. These alliances were then reorganized when Italy, Japan and USA joined the allied powers and ottoman empire and Bulgaria joined the central powers.

4. international anarchy- secret agreement between Britain and France allowing Britain to control Egypt and France to take over Morocco.

5. Balkan wars – many Balkan nations ( Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Montenegro ) are under Turkey’s control. They defeated Turkey in the first Balkan war. Thus Turkey sought Germany’s help.

6. Alsace and Lorraine- during Germany’s unification German got alsace and Lorraine from France and now France wanted to capture them back.

7. July crisis – the death of Duke led to a month of diplomatic maneuvering between Germany, Austria Hungary, Russia, France and Britain, called the july crisis. On 28 july 1918 austria Hungary declared war on Serbia.

Consequences of war –

1. Epidemics e.g. 1918 influenza
2. 1 crore people killed
3. German became a republic in nov 1918 thus rule of the king ended.
4. Unemployment and famine.
5. Emergence of USA as a super power.
6. The fall of Russian empire after october revolution(1917).
7. Formation of USSR in 1922.
8. Beginning of the end of the European supremacy
9. Japan emerged as a powerful country
10. League of nations formed
11. Rule of ottoman empire ended in turkey
12. The harsh clauses of the treaty of Versailles leads to the second world war.
13. New boundary lines drawn for austria,Germany and Turkey
14. France got alsace and Lorraine back.
15. Strengthened independence movement in Asian and African nations.