Aftermath of World war one
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At 11:00 am GMT on 11 November 1918 (later known as Armistice Day), World War I came to an end following an armistice with Germany. During the course of 1919 and 1920 the Allied powers signed the treaties of Versailles, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Neuilly-sur-Seine, Trianon, and Sèvres bringing the war to an official end. It was a devastating war that would lead to the death of over 16 million military personel and civilians.
The aftermath of World War I saw drastic political, cultural, and social change across Europe, Asia, Africa, and even in areas outside those that were directly involved. Four empires collapsed due to the war, old countries were abolished, new ones were formed, boundaries were redrawn, international organisations were established, and many new and old ideologies took a firm hold in people's minds.
World War I also had the effect of bringing political transformation to Germany and the United Kingdom by bringing near-universal suffrage to these two European powers, turning them into mass electoral democracies for the first time in history.
From an Australian point of view, when Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914, most Australians greeted the news with great enthusiasm and enlisted in the Empire's army. Volunteers rushed to enlist for an exciting war which was expected to be over by Christmas. However, for Australia, as for many nations, the First World War remains the most costly conflict in terms of deaths and casualties. From a population of fewer than five million, 416,809 men enlisted, of which over 60,000 were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner. Almost 1 in 5 Australian servicemen who fought overseas lost their lives. Furthermore, Australia's relationship with Great Britain at the end of World War 1 would never be the same. Following the deaths of so many ANZACs in frontline battles such as Gallipoli and also due to the fact that Britain was in the decline as a power, the Australian government began to look elsewhere for a 'friend' that would be able to guarantee the country's security/safety in the event of war. A greater sense of independence from London was beginning to show itself.
The effect of the World War 1 was felt very strongly at home. Families and communities grieved following the loss of so many men, and women increasingly assumed the physical and financial burden of caring for families. Anti-German feeling emerged with the outbreak of the war, and many Germans living in Australia were sent to internment camps. Censorship and surveillance, regarded by many as an excuse to silence political views that had no effect on the outcome of war, increased as the conflict continued. Social division also grew, reaching a climax in the bitterly contested (and unsuccessful) conscription referendums held in 1916 and 1917. When the war ended, thousands of ex-servicemen, many disabled with physical or emotional wounds, had to be re-integrated into a society keen to consign the war to the past and resume normal life.
The aftermath of World War I saw drastic political, cultural, and social change across Europe, Asia, Africa, and even in areas outside those that were directly involved. Four empires collapsed due to the war, old countries were abolished, new ones were formed, boundaries were redrawn, international organisations were established, and many new and old ideologies took a firm hold in people's minds.
World War I also had the effect of bringing political transformation to Germany and the United Kingdom by bringing near-universal suffrage to these two European powers, turning them into mass electoral democracies for the first time in history.
From an Australian point of view, when Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914, most Australians greeted the news with great enthusiasm and enlisted in the Empire's army. Volunteers rushed to enlist for an exciting war which was expected to be over by Christmas. However, for Australia, as for many nations, the First World War remains the most costly conflict in terms of deaths and casualties. From a population of fewer than five million, 416,809 men enlisted, of which over 60,000 were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner. Almost 1 in 5 Australian servicemen who fought overseas lost their lives. Furthermore, Australia's relationship with Great Britain at the end of World War 1 would never be the same. Following the deaths of so many ANZACs in frontline battles such as Gallipoli and also due to the fact that Britain was in the decline as a power, the Australian government began to look elsewhere for a 'friend' that would be able to guarantee the country's security/safety in the event of war. A greater sense of independence from London was beginning to show itself.
The effect of the World War 1 was felt very strongly at home. Families and communities grieved following the loss of so many men, and women increasingly assumed the physical and financial burden of caring for families. Anti-German feeling emerged with the outbreak of the war, and many Germans living in Australia were sent to internment camps. Censorship and surveillance, regarded by many as an excuse to silence political views that had no effect on the outcome of war, increased as the conflict continued. Social division also grew, reaching a climax in the bitterly contested (and unsuccessful) conscription referendums held in 1916 and 1917. When the war ended, thousands of ex-servicemen, many disabled with physical or emotional wounds, had to be re-integrated into a society keen to consign the war to the past and resume normal life.
QUESTIONS
1) Explain what the following terms mean (go back and read the text and also use the net to find out):
a) universal suffrage
b) independence
c) internment camps
d) conscription
2) What are some of the social/political tranformations the world encountered during this period after World War 1?
3) Using [Source 2] we can some nations/empires were part of the Triple Entente and others were part of the Central Powers. Explain why some countries which were not located in Europe (such as Australia) were involved in the war?
4) Study [Source 1]. How does the poster reflect the relationship between Britain and Australia that was evident during World War One? Would the relationship be the same after the War? Why/Why not?
1) Explain what the following terms mean (go back and read the text and also use the net to find out):
a) universal suffrage
b) independence
c) internment camps
d) conscription
2) What are some of the social/political tranformations the world encountered during this period after World War 1?
3) Using [Source 2] we can some nations/empires were part of the Triple Entente and others were part of the Central Powers. Explain why some countries which were not located in Europe (such as Australia) were involved in the war?
4) Study [Source 1]. How does the poster reflect the relationship between Britain and Australia that was evident during World War One? Would the relationship be the same after the War? Why/Why not?