The first big conflict between modern, industrialized nations involving not just armed forces but entire populations broke out as the first total war. Discuss the effects of this first total war. (150 words)

By Srirangam Sriram, Sriram's IAS, New Delhi.

The impact of the First World War was extraordinarily wide-ranging, which was not surprising given that it was the first 'total war' in history. This means that it involved not just armies and navies but entire populations, and it was the first big conflict between modern, industrialized nations.

Effects of First total war

1. Death toll: The most striking effect of the war was the appalling death toll among the armed forces. Almost 2 million Germans died, 1.7 million Russians, 1.5 million French, over a million Austro-Hungarians and about one million from Britain and her empire. High casualties occurred in Italy, Turkey, Serbia, Romania, the USA, Bulgaria and Belgium. And this did not include those crippled by the war, and civilian casualties.
2. Revolution in Germany: In Germany, hardship and defeat caused a revolution: the Kaiser Wilhelm II was compelled to abdicate and a republic was declared. Over the next few years the Weimar Republic (as it became known) experienced severe economic, political and social problems. In 1933 it was brought to an end when Hitler became German Chancellor.
3. Collapse of Habsburg Empire: The Habsburg Empire collapsed completely. The last emperor, Karl I, was forced to abdicate and the various nationalities declared themselves independent; Austria and Hungary split into two separate states.
4. Revolutions in Russia: In Russia the pressures of war caused two revolutions in 1917. The first (February-March) overthrew the tsar, Nicholas II, and the second (October-November) brought Lenin and the Bolsheviks (Communists) to power.
5. Fascism in Italy: The war had been a drain on Italy’s resources and she was heavily in debt. Mussolini took advantage of the government's unpopularity, to take over control - Italy was the first European state after the war to allow itself to fall under a fascist dictatorship.
6. Change in global dominance: Some countries outside Europe, particularly Japan, China and the USA, took advantage of Europe's preoccupation with the war to expand their trade at Europe's expense. For example, the USA's share of world trade grew from 10 per cent in 1914 to over 20 per cent by 1919.
7. League of Nation: President Woodrow Wilson of the USA came up with a plan for a League of Nations, which would settle future disputes by arbitration and keep the world at peace through a system of collective security.
8. Partition of Africa: The war led to the final stage of the partition of Africa, when the peace settlement placed Germany's colonies in Africa under the control of the League of Nations. The League allowed them to be looked after by various member states.

The war resulted in insurmountable human sufferings, socio-economic upheaval and change in global order. The conflict caused a decline in Europe’s prestige in the eyes of the rest of the world. This was a sign of the beginning of the end of European domination of the rest of the world.

Published date : 29 Oct 2020 02:17PM