The Economic, Social, and Political Impact of the First World War on Europe

How Social and Economic Changes were effected by World War II shape American modern life?

The First World War impacted significantly on the homefronts of the participating nations in many different social, political and economic areas. There was a widespread restructuring of primary industry with a large orientation towards militarism. There was massive political change where new systems of power were introduced that gave governments a range of new powers including the control over industry. The civilian population had severe restrictions placed upon their rights and liberties due to the necessities that total war required.

Europe was unstable prior to World War I because of the large amount of destabilization in the world. Throughout all of Europe there were internal as well as external conflicts going on. In Japan advancements were made, while at the same time of the Ottoman Empire facing its failure.

All of the building and rebuilding that needed to be done because of the bombing destruction helped sustain long term economic growth. Building trades prospered and grew dramatically as entire cities like Stuttgart had to start from scratch (Wegs, 66). This meant that many jobs would become available, and there were many people available to work. There were several reasons for the mass quantities of laborers eager to get to work. Soldiers had returned home from the war with no job to come home to because of either destruction or replacement workers. Refugees fleeing from the eastern portion of Europe occupied many countries in the west, especially West Germany, bringing about more bodies for work. Even workers from southern Europe came to work. Europe’s population increased by nearly 60 million thirty years after the start of WWII (Wegs, 67). There was plenty of cheap labor. Because of the cheap labor of the immigrants and refugees, many businesses could keep costs low, turning outstanding profits, and

The political/geographic situation in Europe at the beginning of World War I was full of conflict and strife with nations already seeped in rivalry and hatred, bidding for power with military might and seeking to obtain it no matter what the cost or how much human life it would take to attain. Alliances are formed in a amalgamation of shared hatred for equal enemies and desire for power , Europe is abound with chaos. European borders seem to be ever changing like that of a snaking river. Austria-Hungary is full of minorities each vying for its own independence and country. Germany and France have an undying enmity for one another. Russia also hated by the Germans is seeking to protect its interests in the Balkans,while creating alliances with France and England. The continent is as a sleeping volcano waiting to erupt in a violent cataclysm of war and destruction with its epicenter between Serbia and Austria-hungry, pulling each of its respected allies into the First world war. It seems every country has some disposition towards another country over disputes not its own but of its allies. The great powers of Europe came to War after The Archdukes assassination in response to each of its respected allies becoming engulfed in a conflict between the Serbian people and Austrian-hungry nation. With both sides drawings in their alliances made prior to the war initial beginning like a domino effect, reigniting flames on animosity. Germany declaring war on Russia soon after, siding

After the deaths of 37,508,686 soldiers by the end of World War I, Europe was a mess. Countries had been dissolved and rearranged, governments had fallen and been replaced, and economies were thriving then crashing, all as a result from World War I. One of the main goals at the end of World War I was to prevent another tragedy like World War I from happening again. Clearly that did not happen, as World War II still happened, causing over 50 million deaths. The repercussions of World War I caused World War II due to radical ideology, bad economic conditions, and nationalism to the point of extremity.

Some states such as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Palestine, were given as “mandates” to France and Britain for their politic and economic protection, until European countries believed they were ready for independence. As opposed to the United States where the economy flourished as factories immediately returned to the production of consumer goods after World War I. It also expanded to international commerce and expanded international relations, serving as a main source of trade. The United States, in consequence took advantage of the financial benefits it gained during the war, to play a crucial role in Europe’s post-war recovery, making it an even more powerful nation. In conclusion, the victorious and defeated countries had different economic effects after The Great War, which gave them advantages in the modern

to the new changes that the war had left,countries had less food, less jobs especially for men, and

The economy of the United States became stronger because of the war. The war did not physically hurt the United States. There was no damage done. Manufacturing and factories saw a positive impact. Due to the war, factories were needed to manufacture materials for the war. Due to the increase of manufacturing, the United States became an industrial leader. The economy was doing well, along with making profits. Due to the economy strengthening, the 1920s became known as the “Roaring Twenties.”

When World War I ended in 1918, it had many unforeseen economic consequences. Despite a stable economy when entering the war, the political consequences of World War I helped to spread and exacerbate the Great Depression. After the war, Germany had millions of dollars in reparations to the winning countries. France and Great Britain had massive damage to their countries and cities, all of which required rebuilding. The United States recognized a need and was more than willing to lend to these countries. When the Great Depression hit in 1929, U.S. banks started to fail, and began to call in these foreign loans and refused to lend more. Results of the Great Depression include a decline

American factories and country sides were unharmed, performing better than ever unlike in some European countries the United States was not laid to waste by war. World War I sped up American industrial production, leading to an economic boom throughout the ‘Roaring Twenties.’ The fighting was devastating experience for France and the United Kingdom these countries were able to recover economically without too much difficulty. Germany however particularly suffered following the war under the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was required to make monetary payments to Allies called reparations. The heavy reparations combined with the

In the aftermath of World War I, Europe faced financial, economic, and physical devastation. Although figures are still exactly unknown, according to Encyclopedia Britannica (2011), it is believed that nearly 8.5 million soldiers died, while approximately 21 million were wounded. Vast areas of north-eastern Europe had been reduced to rubble and ruined. Furthermore, the infrastructure of the region was so severely damaged that such loss greatly hindered the area's ability to function normally. Consequently, someone needed to make amends for the fiscal instability in the region, and according to the United States, Great Britain, and France; Germany was the lone scapegoat. This angered the German citizens and through the use

World War I also effected the economy of United States and the World economy. Stock market crashed in October 1929 in United States, and it marked the beginning of the great depression. Thousands of banks and businesses failed during this time. Agricultural production fell, and unemployment rose quickly. Unemployment commonly exceeded twenty five percent. In 1933 one out of every four American workers was out of a job. Since World War I effected the economies of almost all the countries, the world trade fell off and countries turned to nationalist economic policies that only provoked the problem. Prices of everything were so high that money sometimes was more useful to burn than to spend. Counties had over 280, 000 million dollars in expense during war. The costs of World War I was too big to pay for the world, and the economy of almost all the countries fell down.

World War II (WWII) was a pivotal event that reshaped the Europe very much in terms of international politics. I agree to a large extent that Europe did see greater political changes than continuities following WWII. The most evident changes of which were that the United States of America (USA) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) gained international dominance in the world arena and that the United Nations (UN) was established following the League of Nations' demise.

At the end of WWI Europe was economically impoverished and politically divided. It faced the