Contemporary World History

Things you should know about to not be ridiculed on

tiktok
 Capitalism
and its manifestations in
colonialism and imperialism
for a convulsed beginning of the
twentieth century
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 Let’s start with…
Colonialism, Imperialism,
and Capitalism

as basic concepts
 Colonialism
Hey! Careful
with the J’s

Like my spanish ancestor

used to say: “It’s a way
of life kiddo”.

Which I responded via

ouija board: “Imposing new
ethnic identities,
language or religion is
not cool fam”.

He… proceded to ghost me.

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 I PROCLAIM
THIS LAND..!!
Colonialism
Customs are intermingled mainly brought So
by the Spanish, English and Portuguese. cringe
The colonizers appropriated new lands,
which began a uprooting of mixed customs.

Now, Neo-colonialism, Imperialism, and

Neo-Imperialism are technically the same…
They are systems of economic domination,
even political, over a legally
independent state.

This was a extremely important era due to

various developments around the world,
specially in America in the 15th century.
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Colonialism
Remember that Spain, Portugal, France
Holland and specially England conquered
and colonized territories already
populated on various continents.

And, we all know what Spain did, taking

possession by force of the two great
empires existing in America at that time
(the Inca empire, now Peru, and the Aztec
empire, today Mexico).

Most if not all of Central and South

America, also the Caribbean like Cuba,
Hispaniola, PR, and Jamaica.
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 Imperialism
The greeks had an empire
and the Chinese had an
empire.

But when most of us think

of the word “empire” we
Father, Why
have you think of the big ones like
forsaken me?
star wars…

…Or Rome I guess.

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Imperialism
It’s the policy of extending a country's
power and influence through diplomacy or
military force. Basically, Colonialism on
steroids.

During the 16th and 17th centuries the

empire of the Austrian and Spanish
Habsburgs prevailed.

By the 17th and 18th centuries economic

and military power was already in the
hands of the Netherlands, Austria,
Prussia, Russia, France and Great
Britain.
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Imperialism
Britain benefited by establishing itself
as the most important colonial, naval,
commercial and industrial power in Europe
circa 1914 and ended after WW1.

After WW1 Big Boy U.S.A. took the stage

and became the axis of the world economy.

Increasing international trade,

production, labor, etc. boosted the
economy.

With this… banking, commercial,

financial, and credit istiutions were
created.
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 Socialism: If you have two cows, the
Government takes one and gives it to
your neighbor.

Communism: If you have two cows,

Government takes both and then gives
you some milk.

Fascism: If you have two cows, you

keep the cows and give the milk to the
Government; then the government sells
you some milk.

Father, Why New Dealism: If you have two cows, you

have you shoot one and milk the other; then you
forsaken me? pour the milk down the drain.

Nazism: If you have two cows, the

Government shoots you and keeps the
cows.

Capitalism: If you have two cows, you

sell one and buy a bull.
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Capitalism
An economic and political system in which
a country's trade and industry are
controlled by private owners for profit.

Just like my passion for Henry Cavill

pecs, the economic expansion of the U.S.
in the 19th century was extraordinary.
They industrialized the f*** out of
everything.

The national market in constant growth,

accumulation of capital, monopolistic
trends, and companies avoiding
competitions and risks were booming.
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With the economy skyrocketing and markets
having absolute control. The government
intervenes in the defense of consumers.
Regulating all sorts of boring things with
laws.

Trade Unions were made and strikes were

trending (just like Xalapa). The
implementation of an 8hr day, co-operatives,
and no child labor were some of the demands.

The Southwest Railroad Strike (1884), The

Great Chicago Strike (1886), and the
Haymarket Square were some of the effects of
trade unions.

Co-Operatives:
https://youtu.be/7U3POzPcU1k?si=YLVNEF5UjhkfJow7

Trade Unions:
https://youtu.be/1SAzPoYEG0I?si=6e4A2JECdmiPcqLb
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The First World War
The Great War
 Once apon a time…
Oh 1914…

A time of modern
technology, culture, and
fashion. Truly the height
of civilization.

How about a war?

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Everyone was on edge. France and Germany
really disliked each other (a lot).

Germany was building a massive navy that made

the British panic. Aside from wanting to
control and have absolute power in Europe
(very casually).

On the other hand…

Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire were

besties. BUT, many small “countries” were not
ok with that relationship. So they declared
independence with a tiny little help from
MOTHER RUSSIA.

So everyone was gossiping about each other.

And since military tech was way more advanced
since medieval times, suddenly everybody
wanted to beat each other up.
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 Russia
Germany

FRance Austria-Hungary

Ser
bia
Act 1: The Beginning
Scene 1: What a coincidence!

In a small town in Sarajevo, Austria-Hungary

lived people (from Serbia and Bosnia) that
were tired of Austria-Hungary.

So the Archduke of Austria-Hungary and his

wife thought (for whatever reason) that It
would be a good idea to go for a stroll and
parade in front of an angry mob.

Enter stage:
- Archduke Franz Ferdinand Carl Ludwig
Joseph Maria of Austria

- Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg (German:

Sophie Marie Josephine Albina Gräfin
Chotek von Chotkow und Wognin

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So, Archduke Franz and his wife Duchess Sofia
Went to Sarajevo, on a car, with an open
roof, while his parade route was PUBLISHED IN
THE NEWSPAPER.

Enter stage:
- Nedjelko “Ned” Cabrinovic
(aka Assassin 01)

Ned had been waiting for them on the route,

and as they passed he threw a bomb… which
failed and blew up the car behind them with
soldiers.

Franz and Sofia escaped unharmed… BUT IN A

TWIST OF EVENTS. Fran and Sofi thought it was
a great idea to visit them at the hospital.

THE SAME DAY!

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Act 2: It was kinda obvious

Fra and Sof came out of a speech and went to

the hospital to see their guards. Before they
arrived, in a misunderstanding, the driver
turned in another street. And there he was…

Enter stage:
- Gavrilo “Gav” Princip
(aka Assassin 02)

Fr and So, in a series of unfortunate events,

got stuck and couldn’t move the car. Gav, by
sheer coincidence, was at a coffee shop with
his latte, when saw the car in front of him.
Gav shot and killed both of them.

And thus in June 28, 1914 The Great War had

began.
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Act 3: World War Recipe

Step 1: Make Austria-Hungary blame Serbia and

wait for Serbia to deny all involvement.

Step 2: Austria-Hungary asked (big bro)

Germany to help them against Serbia.

Step 3: Make Germany add salt to

Austria-Hungary and leave it seasoning for a
month.

Step 4: Make Austria-Hungary kindly asked

Serbia a list of impossible demands.

Step 5: Make Serbia flirt and delay the Kaiserschmarrn:

response, lie about it, and later decline.
A soft, fluffy pancake ripped into bites
and slightly roasted in a pan, served
Step 6: On July 28, Let Austria-Hungary
with compote, applesauce or stewed plums.
declare war on Serbia
Traditional Austrian food.
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 Germany Russia
(trigger-happy) (Big Mama)

FRance Austria-Hungary
(Spiteful) (Bully)
Ser
bia
 Act 4: Whadd’ya say ‘bout ma momma?

Serbia was under the protection of Russia and

entente Allies
is besties with France.

to So, Austria-Hungary goes to war with

be neutral war Serbia(and Montenegro), while Germany takes
on Russia, France and... I think, Britain?

Britain “The Pick-me girl” tried to calm

everyone down, but nobody really listened and
decided NOT to participate. Germany was very
happy about this and started dreaming about
sieg hail & Sauerbraten.

Germany had a plan... “The Schlieffen Plan”, directed and written by Marshal Alfred
von Schlieffen. Russia barely started to be prepared for war and moving slowly.
Germany’s idea was: to attack France immediately, marching directly to the border and
invading France as fast as possible after what France said about Germany’s mutter.
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But there was a problem...

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Act 5: The return of the Jedi

You see, France has a bunch of forts and

defences on the border, just in case.

German military commander Helmuth von Moltke

modified horribly “The Schlieffen Plan”, thus
slowing down the German army...

Instead of attacking France directly, Germany

would casually march 750’000 troops in
Belgium to go around France. Thinking they
would ignore it. But, they didn’t.

Belgium was neutral, neutrally gonna whoop your apple strudel because they instead
opted to fight back in “The Battle of Liége”. Further slowing the German forces.

Since Germany attacked Belgium, breaking the agreement. Suddenly... Britain shows up
and declares war on Germany for invading Belgium. Belgium and Britain joined Allies.

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 B
(ang elgium
ry ne
ighbo Germany
r)
(trigger-happy)

FRance
(Croissant) Austria-Hungary
(Bully)
Were you paying attention…
Answer these questions 4. Who forms the Central
Powers?
1. Exact date ot the start
of WWI:
5. Which country did Germany
invade first?
2. Which 2 countries
started the conflict?
6. Why didn’t Germany invade
France directly?
3. FROM WHAT WE’VE SEEN...
Who forms the Allies? You have 15 minutes
Britain Russia
Belg
ium Germany

France Austria-Hungary

Ser
bia

Ottoman
empire
 Act 6:

Germany started pushing back Belgium, and

committed some atrocities like the “Burning
of Louvain”. Where Germany stationed in a
village, looting, burning, and executing
civilians.

The Allies sparked in europe a small

propaganda war. Which caught the attention of
a small peaceful country called:

The United States of America

Contrary to popular belief, U.S.A. was actually trying to stop the war. President
Woodrow Wilson “American Jesus” spent most of the war trying to stop it. Germans in
the U.S. were slowly losing iterest in supporting Germany because... well... all of
the genocide, maybe? #WW1 #Allies #FreeBelgium #Propaganda
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Act 7: Bright colors aren’t trending

France started to move to “The Western Front”

but they had a tiny issue. As they were
marching German soldiers launched heavy
artillery against the french. It might have
something to do with their uniform.

Most countries still had that revolutionesque

old-school war mentality like bayonet
charging, cavalry, no boots, no helmets,
drummers, and dying patriotically.

But this is a different war. This is THE WAR.

And Germany was prepared.

Everything was going well for Germany,

until...

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 Knock knock

Wer ist da?

It’s me…

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33
Britain

Russia
Belg
ium Germany

France Austria-Hungary

Serbia
Act 8: Carrying a team

Germany wasn’t expecting Russia to be this

early and asked Austria-Hungary to “deal with
it”.

Austria-Hungary went to fight Russia at “The

Eastern Front” and it happened as anyone
would suspect.

With Russia totally dominating the “Eastern

Front”, Germany started to send troops to go
defend the “Eastern Front”.

You see, there was a man called Conrad von Hotzendorff who was in charge of military
strategies, he was also known for being bad at it. Ignoring Germany’s texts and
calling him after a few drinks of Boing.

Even at the beginning of the war, Austria-Hungary was struggling with Lil’ Serbia and
never could invade them. At this point, Austria-Hungary has done absolutely nothing.
35
Britain Russia
Belg
ium Germany

France Austria-Hungary

Ser
bia

Ottoman
empire
Act 9: Is that all you got?

Germany was killing it in the battlefield.

Pushing back Belgium, France, Britain and
Russia, while helping Austria-Hungary.
Germany was so close from invading France,
but a decisive choice was made.

French commander and Joestar descendant

Joseph Joffre ordered his troops to stop
backing up and stand their ground.

In the Battle of Marne

Since neither Germany or France/Britain/Belgium backed up, they began to do what any
sane man would do in this scenario. Dig holes and create weird clay DIY swimming
pools for youtube videos called trenches. These trenches stretched out all France
and Belgium starting a now famous trend called Trench Warfare, playing a game called
“Who can shellshock more soldiers?” in The Western Front.
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Act 10: The Dark side of the War

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 Warning!
The following images may be
disturbing for some viewers.

Viewer discretion is advised.

 A branch of PTSD known as shell shock victims

Warning: The following footage may be strong for some viewers. It

contains the psychological effects on victims of war on their
body and its treatment.

01: https://youtu.be/IWHbF5jGJY0?si=exxYP8QtlKz5ugNN 02: https://youtu.be/S7Jll9_EiyA?si=Dd02jxFGNYL4uAIM

Despite medical alerts, “long-term trouble” was disregarded
as a cowardice and weakness of mind by military leadership.

In recent decades and following the 2003 Iraq war,

shell shock has been linked to biological brain damages,
such as concussions and micro-tearing of brain tissues.
 Moving forward…
(No more acts, just quirky titles)

54
 Western Battlefront II

At this point, both side were in a draw and

whoever lasted the longest would win the war.

The Allies started to receive help from other

countries.

Britain created a naval blockade, so Germany

couldn't import important supplies...

For example food

Since neither side moved they had to search

other strategies which was to ask other
countries or colonies for help worldwide.

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 Energy

Britain
Hunger Russia
Belg
ium Germany
People
Dignity

France Austria-Hungary

Ser
bia

Ottoman
empire
 Some notable events around the world:

- Australia took German New Guinea.

- In Africa, Allied countries started to

takeover German colonies in African territory
(Togoland, Kamerun, German East Africa, and
German South West Africa).

- Japan was expanding its empire and by joining

the Allies started to conquer German islands and
U.S.A. NOO, MY OIL!!
territories.

- Italy betrayed Germany and joined the Allies.

- Italy attacked Austria-Hungary and got stuck

in a draw.

- The Ottoman Empire was exhausted due to “The First Balkan War” and wasn’t sure about
joining the war. Those who DID want the war decided to attack Russia, because why not?

- Britain was interested in the Ottoman Empire because of their oil. Hmmm, interesting.
58
More notable events around the world:

- The Ottoman Empire tried to attack Russia

but failed and many froze to death.

- The Ottoman tried to attack Britain at “The

Suez Canal” and also failed.

- The Allies attacked the Ottoman Empire,

tried to take Dardanelles strait at Gallipoli
but also ALSO failed.

- The Ottoman Empire blamed the Armenian

communities and committed a genocide of 1.5
million people.

- German sent spies to Afghanistan to

convince them rebel against the British and
attack India. They failed.

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 The Hague Conventions

Before the war, many allied countries assisted a

series of conventions in the Netherlands.

These conventions were hold to talk about

implementing laws to war. Here were some topics:

- Martial law

- Protection of civilians and civilian property

- Deserters, prisoners of war, hostages,

partisans and spies

- Truces and Prisoner exchange

- No chemical weapons
Germany completely ignored it.

All this is commonly referred to as War Crimes

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All is fair in love and war
Germany took advantage of the treaties:
- Attacking civilians
- Sendinging Zepplings to bomb cities
- Using “Chlorine gas” in the trenches
- Singing civilian ships using submarines.
One of those ships was The Lusitania.
Containing more than 1000 civilians
including americans.
The Allies started to ignore the treaties,
attacking Germany with anti-submarines,
chlorine gas, and “your mutter jokes”.
The U.S. started to send supplies to the
Allies. Germany didn’t like this.
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 - It looks like a yellowish green
cloud.

- It was first used in the “Second

Battle of Ypres” on April 1915.

Did you know…

- It smells like pepper and
pineapple. And tastes metallic

- It reacts to the water in your

lungs forming “muriatic acid”
Bertholite - German scientist and Nobel
aka Chlorine Gas laureate Fritz Habera didn’t
create it, but implemented it.

- It was used for a short while

but changed for mustard gas.
 WARNING.

Be EXTREMELY careful when using bleach.

DO NOT EVER MIX IT WITH OTHER CLEANING PRODUCTS

Effects: Don’t mix with:

● Nausea ● Paints
● Shortness of breath ● Urine
● Watery eyes ● Window cleaners
● Chest pain ● Dishwash soap
● Coughing ● Toilet and drain cleaners
● Irritation: throat, nose, and eyes ● Rust removal products
● Wheezing ● Vinegar
● Pneumonia and fluid in the lungs
 Wait, what happened to Serbia?

they dont know im an Austria-Hungary was still at war with Serbia.

Ally since day 1 So the Central Powers had to help.

Remember the “The Balkan War”? Well, Bulgaria

lost that war and its territory was reduced.

So Bulgaria joined the Centrals with the

promise of extending their land.

Austria-Hungary, Germany and Bulgaria finally

managed to win against Serbia.

Serbia fled to Albania.

Albania was neutral BUT was friends with

Austria-Hungary. So, Centrals invaded
Montenegro and Albania to chase Serbians.

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Britain Russia
Belg
ium Germany

France Austria-Hungary

Ser
bia

Ita
ly
Ottoman
empire
 - Helped Serbia withdraw to the

Did you know…

region of Kosovo Polje and
Metohija before the
Austro-Hungarian attack.

Kingdom of Montenegro -They fought in the first and

second Balkan wars.
The year is 1916...

Germany noticed that Portugal was flirting

with the Allies. Germany also declared war on
Portugal.

Meanwhile, throughout the war, there were

only a few battles at sea.

Britain and Germany had created a new type of

battleship called “The Dreadnought”.

This bad boy could carry 4 12in-caliber

guns,6-18 7in-rapidfire-caliber gun,
steam-turbine engine and had heavy armor.

The only problem was... It was expensive af.

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 Ever seen a Lamborghini in a war...

And, like those Funko Pops, nobody ever used

them.

The only time they used them was in “The

Battle of Jutland”. Many Dreadnoughts were
damaged in that battle. They were so
expensive that they never used them again.

Britain conscripted many young people

throughout the war as reserves for what's
about to come.

They sent all these young soldiers to the

Western Front to help France and Belgium.

Just in time for one of the bloodiest and

Vice Admiral Evan-Thomas’s dog Jack wounded at the longest battles in WW1.
Battle of Jutland 31st May 1916 on board HMS Barham 69
 Britain Russia
Belg
ium Germany

France Austria-Hungary
al
tug
Por

RIP
Ita

Ser
ly

iab
Ottoman
empire
 France calls for aid!

The Germans launched an attack on Verdun that

lasted almost 10 months. France desperately
defended it leaving around 700’000 casualties on
both sides.

France screamed for help! Calling the allies to

draw the attention elsewhere.

... And Britain will answer.

Beginning to attack at “The Battle of the

Somme”. On the first day the British had 60’000
casualties and during these 4 months, the total
estimate of casualties was around 1’223’907.

Side note: This was the first time Britain used

a new piece of technology... the TANK.
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 Somme.
The whole history of the world cannot contain a more ghastly word.

— Friedrich Steinbrecher

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 On the Eastern Front...

Russia had been getting pushed back into their

own territory. When Russia heard France called,
they also launched an attack against Germany in
“The Brusilov Offensive” leaving 2 things:

1. Around 1’000’000 casualties

2. The Russian army without supplies

SUDDENLY, out of nowhere, Romania thought it

would be a great idea to appear and win the war
and have some credit.

They completely lost.

On the other hand Greece entered the Allies,

helping on the south.

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 Britain Russia
Belg
ium Germany

France Austria-Hungary
al
tug
Por

RIP
Ita

Ser
ly

iab
Ottoman
empire
Britain STOP!

Russia was pushing the Ottoman Empire from

the north.

Coincidentally Britain found themselves

casually on the south, Mesopotamia,
“protecting” the oil fields in Persia.

Then an offence occurred causing a Desert

Warfare.

British Officer T.E. Lawrence helped lead the

Arabs in a revolt against Ottoman Empire.

Seriously, watch the movie...

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He was big and strong, in his eyes a
flaming glow

The French army rebelled and caused mutinies.

The Germans were starving.

Russia... well, everything combined.

There was no clear winner, so the first to

surrender would decide the outcome.

And the award goes to _______________

Tired, Hungry and Angry about a weird

immortal hippie ruling the country.

Russian citizens began a civil war and “The

Battle of Petrograd” was a critical point.
Where they murdered, multiple times, the
hippie and changed the government, twice.

Thus communism started and they left the war.

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Endgame: Part 1: The Telegram

Good news for Germany! Focusing only on the

Western Front against the Allies. But there
was an issue.

England was the world's largest economy,

until the U.S. started to sell everyone
supplies for the war. Making them the new
largest economy.

Since the U.S. was helping the Allies,

Germany had (yet another) plan:

Contact Mexico

and this would begin the end game

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Do I smell freedom?

Proposing a military contract between The

German Empire and Los Estados Unidos
Mexicanos.

Creating an alliance in case the U.S. entered

the war. In return, Germany would help
recover Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Germany sent an encrypted telegram to Mexico

in 1917. But...

The Zimmerman Telegram was intercepted.

...by Britain decoding it and sent a copy to

the U.S. this enraged the U.S. and in
response sent ships to attack Germany.

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 Britain Russia
Belg
ium Germany

France Austria-Hungary
al
tug
Por

RIP
Ita

Ser
ly

iab
Ottoman
empire
 JETZT ODER NIE!

Germany knew they would lose against the U.S. so

(like poker) they went all in and started a
final attack on the Western Front.

BOOM! The first attack was at the Somme pushing

back england.

BOOM! The second attack up north to Belgium.

BOOM! BOOM! I want you in my room...

A total of 5 attacks were carried by the

Germans, wasting all of their resources.
The Allies held the line and when the U.S.
arrived with over 2.8 million soldiers, they
helped the Allies counter attack.

With the Central Powers getting pushed back on

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all fronts this marked the end.
Bulgaria fell first, Ottoman Second, followed by Austria-Hungary, and finally the...

11th of November 1918

The German Empire Surrendered

Armistice celebrations outside Buckingham Palace 82

Aftermath

Germany was obligated to sign the peace

Treaty of Versailles:

- Reduce Military
- Accept war guilt
- Loss of territory
- Reparation payments to Allied powers

War estimated casualties:

- 21 million wounded
- 20 million deaths

Estimated debt:

- $33 billion ($400B today)

(Germany’s WW1 debt was paid in 2010)

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End of the 1st Partial