ClearIAS

First World War (1914-

1918): Causes and
Consequences

First World War (World War I) is considered as one of the

largest wars in history. The world’s great powers assembled
in two opposing alliances: the Allies (British Empire,
France and the Russian Empire) versus the Central
Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary). WWI lasted
from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918.

Table of Contents
1. The Two Groups: Allies vs Central Powers
2. Causes of the First World War
2.1. (1) Conflict between Imperialist countries: Ambition of
Germany
2.2. (2) Ultra Nationalism
2.3. (3) Military Alliance
2.4. (4) International Anarchy
2.5. (5) Balkan Wars
2.6. (6) Alsace-Loraine
2.7. (7) Immediate Cause: assassination of Francis
Ferdinand

3. The Course of the War

4. Treaty of Versailles, Paris
5. Treaties after World War I
6. Consequences of First World War
 6. Consequences of First World War

The Two Groups: Allies vs Central

Powers

Causes of the First World War

In the background there were many conflicts between
European nations. Nations grouped among themselves to
form military alliances as there were tension and suspicion
among them. The causes of the First World War were:

(1) Conflict between Imperialist countries:

Ambition of Germany
Conflict between old imperialist countries (Eg: Britain
and France) vs new imperialist countries (Eg:
Germany).
Germany ship – Imperator.
German railway line – from Berlin to Baghdad.

(2) Ultra Nationalism

Pan Slav movement – Russian, Polish, Czhech, Serb,
Bulgaria and Greek.
Pan German movement.
(3) Military Alliance
Triple Alliance or Central Powers (1882) –
Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary.
Triple Entente or Allies (1907) – Britain, France,
Russia.

Note: Although Italy was a member of the Triple Alliance

alongside Germany and Austria-Hungary, it did not join the
Central Powers, as Austria-Hungary had taken the offensive,
against the terms of the alliance. These alliances were
reorganised and expanded as more nations entered the war:
Italy, Japan and the United States joined the Allies, while the
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. Germany opposed, but settled with a part of
French Congo.
Hague conference of 1882 and 1907 failed to emerge as
an international organisation.

(5) Balkan Wars

Many Balkan nations (Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece
and Montenegro) were under the control of Turkey.
They defeated Turkey in the First Balkan War. The
subsequent war was between the Balkan countries
themselves – Eg:  Serbia vs Bulgaria.

Defeated countries like Turkey and Bulgaria sought

German help.

(6) Alsace Loraine

(6) Alsace-Loraine
During German unification, Germany got Alsace-
Loraine from France. France wanted to capture Alsace-
Loraine back from Germany.

(7) Immediate Cause: assassination of

Francis Ferdinand
Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand was assassinated
by a Serbian native (in Bosnia). Austria declared war on
Serbia on 28th July, 1914. [Reason for assassination:
Annexation by Austria the Bosnia-Herzegovina, against
the congress of Berlin, 1878]

The Course of the War

Group 1 (Allies): Serbia, Russia, Britian, France,

USA, Belgium, Portugal, Romania etc

Group 2 (Central Powers): Austria-Hungary,

Germany, Italy, Turkey, Bulgaria etc.
War on Western Side: Battle of Marne.
W E t Sid B ttl fT b (R i
 War on Eastern Side: Battle of Tennenberg (Russia was
defeated).
War on the Sea: Batter of Dogger Bank (Germany was
defeated), Battle of Jutland (Germany retreated).
USA entered in 1917.
Russia withdrew in 1917 after October Revolution.

Treaty of Versailles, Paris

Germany signed a treaty with Allies (Triple Entente) on
28th June 1919. It was signed at Versailles, near Paris.
(14 points)
Leaders: Clemenceau – France, Lloyd George –
Britain, Woodrow Wilson – USA, Orlando – Italy.

Treaties after World War I

Treaty of Paris – with Germany.
Treaty of St.Germaine – with Austria.
Treaty of Trianon- with Hungary.
Treaty of Neuilly – with Bulgaria.
Treaty of Severes – with Turkey.

Consequences of First World War

1. Rule of King ended in Germany: Germany became a
republic on November 1918. The German Emperor
Kaiser William II fled to Holland.
2. Around 1 crore people were killed.
3. Unemployment and famine.
4. Epidemics.

5. The fall of Russian empire after October revolution

(1917) which resulted in the formation of USSR (1922)
6. Emergence of USA as a super power.
7 B i i f th d fE
 7. Beginning of the end of European supremacy.
8. Japan became a powerful country in Asia.
9. Poland, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia became new
independent states.
10. Baltic countries – Estonia, Latvia and Lithvania –
became independent.
11. Rule of Ottamans came to an end in Turkey.
12. New boundary lines were drawn for Austria, Germany
and Turkey.
13. Strengthened independence movements in Asia and
Africa.
14. League of Nations came into being.
15. Germany had to return Alsace-Loraine to France.
16. German colonies were shared.
17. Germany gave up Saar coal field.
18. Germany gave up Polish corridor, and made city of
Danzig independent.
19. Monarchy was abolished in Germany, Austria,
Hungary, Turkey and Russia.
20. The harsh clauses of the Treaty of Versailles finally
resulted in the second world war
(https://www.clearias.com/second-world-war/).

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