Austria Hungary In A War Against Russia example essay topic

January 1st 1925 THE TIMES Editor: Merry Clarke The Paris Peace Settlement In 1919: Uncovered World war one was one of the most bloody and horrible wars throughout history. It lasted from 1914 to 1918: four years of chaos. Many countries fought in the war but the major powers were Britain, France, and America which were known as the "big three". And Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy were on the other side.

Another country that played a large part was Serbia. There were a great deal of causes behind world war one - long and short term. In 1914 Gavrilo Princip an eighteen year old Serbian student shot Archduke Franz Ferdinand who was heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary. The reason he did this was because in the late nineteenth centaury Serbia had become independent and now wanted to expand. However they were hemmed in by other countries. They also wanted to take Bosnia from Austria-Hungary as most of the inhabitants were Serbian.

Most Serbians hated Austria-Hungary and were prepared to go to any length to attack it. The other major powers were very distrustful of each other and there were also many long term reasons for fighting in the war. In 1870 France had gone to war with Prussia (Germany) and had suffered a bad defeat. Germany had taken control of the French provinces of Alsace and Lorraine and ever since France had wanted revenge.

France built up its alliances with other European powers: In 1894 the Dual Entente between France and Russia was established. In 1904 France and Britain signed the Entente cordial. In 1907 the Triple Entente was signed by France, Russia and Britain. Britain had become very concerned about Germany every since Kaiser Wilhelm II had succeeded the throne in 1887 because Germany had begun to occupy colonies in Africa and the Pacific which were near British colonies and were a potential threat. The German government had also passed the Navy laws in 1898 and 1900 which said the German navy would be built up over a period of seventeen years to rival the British navy (the Royal Navy.) In 1906 a naval arms race began between Britain and Germany. Each tried to build more ships than the other and this continued until the war in 1914.

Germany was expecting war. It was allied with Austria-Hungary as of the 1870's and in 1882 Italy joined the alliance-this was the Triple Alliance. It presumed France would try to regain possession of Alsace and Lorraine at some point. It was worried that it may have to fight France and Russia at the same time which would be a war on two fronts. Germany had worked out a plan called the Schlieffen plan developed in order to defeat France. German forces would attack France through Belgium, which was a neutral country and within six weeks they would defeat France.

Then they would deal with Russia. Austria-Hungary had been growing weaker for many years but wanted to expand its empire into the south. However Serbia stood in its was and was very powerful. Austria-Hungary knew if they attacked Serbia they would have to fight Russia as well therefore they could not attack without the help of Germany. After defeat from Japan in 1905 Russia wanted to prove its worth. The government believed they would defeat any other European countries army.

They also wanted to gain more influence in the Balkans and prevent Austria-Hungary expanding there. They were very keen to back up Serbia as they had a similar language and religion and were also against Austria-Hungary. All these facts suddenly came together when Archduke Franz Ferdinand was shot by Gavrilo Princip. July 5th - Austrian government asked the German government if it would support Austria-Hungary in a war against Russia if Russia supported Serbia. Kaiser Wilhelm replied saying they would support whatever the Austrian government decided. July 23rd - The Austrian government sent the Serbian government an ultimatum.

It was expected that Serbia would reject this. July 28th - Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. July 29th - Russian army mobilized. August 1st - Germany declared was on Russia.

August 3rd - Germany declared war on France. August 4th - Germany declared war on Belgium. August 4th - Britain declared war on Germany. August 6th - Austria declared war on Russia. August 11th - France and Britain declared war on Austria. The war had a big impact on all of the major powers in many ways.

This is a table of casualties in WWI. The effect of the war was huge. The economic impact of the war was very disproportioned. At one end there were those who profited from the war and at the other end were those who suffered under the effects of inflation.

There was a massive direct cost to all nations involved WWI. There was a vast amount spent on resources used to destructive ends, tanks, guns, etc. After the war Europe was no longer the financial center of the world instead this became the USA who's economic strength was increased. Also established trade routes were disrupted and there was a decrease in international trade and a lack of stable currency. Intense hatred between the two sides meant that is was (in the short term) impossible to reestablish previous trading patterns. Worldwide markets shrunk and European living standards were reduced as they had to cut down on imports.

Few of these problems stayed beyond the short term, therefore most politicians sought revenge rather than recovering the defeated states. This was also due to popular public opinion. During the war, when resources became scarce, almost all nonessential firms, which tended to be small, were shut down, inflation was the greatest economic problem as war budgets rose immensely and a massive demand forced shortage on consumer goods. Virtually every one able to work was employed. This combination of high demand, scarcity, and full employment sent prices soaring, even in the best managed countries. In Britain, a pound sterling brought in 1919 about one-third of what it had bought in 1914.

French prices approximately doubled during the war and it only got worse during the 1920's. Inflation rates were even higher in other countries taking part in WWI The German currency ceased to have value in 1923. Although some people benefited from higher wages due to the war. Because of the huge demand on resources and war equipment those people working in primary and secondary jobs found there wages going up however those working in tertiary jobs suffered from lower wages or losing there jobs.

The effects of the war were not just economical there was also a change in lifestyle. The working, middle, and upper classes became more evened out. Luxury became an impossibility and clothing became uniform and practical. People no longer wore fancy or elaborate outfits. The role of women became a lot larger.

They undertook many jobs which those who had gone to fight could not do. They did a lot of clerical and secretarial work and were more widely employed in industrial jobs. By 1918 37.6% of the work force at Krupp Armaments in Germany was female. In England a lot of women took jobs in public transport, (the number of female bus conductors rode from 18'000 to 117'000) in banking (9'500 to 63'000) and commerce (505'000 to 934'000.) Many restrictions on women were repealed during the war. It became acceptable for young, employed, single, middle-class women to own their own apartments, to go out without chaperones, and to smoke in public. After the war a peace treaty was created called the Treaty of Versailles this was created by the "big four"; Great Britain, France, USA and Italy each leader had independent views on what should be put into the Treaty of Versailles Georges Clemenceau, the leader of France was eager to get revenge on Germany for the damage it caused during the war and wanted to dismantle Germany so they no longer opposed a threat and so that a war like this could not happen again he wanted; The restoration of Alsace and Lorraine to France.

The payment of reparations by Germany. The creation of an independent Rhineland. The creation of an independent polish state. The Kaiser to be put on trial. An alliance with Poland. Recognition that Germany was responsible the war.

The drastic reduction in the German armed forces. Germany to lose its colonies. David Lloyd George, represented Britain at Versailles. He understood that although he wanted to punish Germany it must not be so harsh that they could not take part in European politics again. he still wanted to trade with Germany and was worried communism might spread through Germany to the UK if they were weakened to much. he knew that France wanted revenge on Germany but he also wanted to satisfy British public opinion. At versailles his main aims were: The German fleet to be handed over to UK. The reduction of German industrial power.

Germany to lose its overseas colonies. The Kaiser and the military leaders of Germany to be put on trial. Germany to lose Silesia. Woodrow Wilson, president of America had a very different view to both Clemenceau and Lloyd George. Wilson had put together his "14 points" which were the basis for a fair peace which is what he wanted, but he knew it would be difficult as the other countries were more eager to punish Germany.

Wilson did not want anything for himself at the Treaty of Versailles his aims were: Self-determination for all the people of Europe. The creation on a league of nations in order that such a war will never happen again. Repayment of loans made to the allies. Freedom of navigation on the high seas. The fourth member, Voto rio Orlando, leader of Italy, wanted to get people on his side.

He also wanted the Adriatic coast and most importantly the port of Fiume. However he got none of this. These were his aims at Versailles: The port of Trieste to be handed over to Italy. The Australian Tyrol to be handed over to Italy. The Dalmatian coast to become part of Italy.

A naval base in Albania. A protectorate over Albania. The Treaty of Versailles was harsh upon Germany and created many advantages for the allies. The following are some of the major terms in the Treaty. Germany's army was not to exceed 100'000 men and no conscription. They were not allowed an air force and they were only allowed 6 small battleships.

This was to prevent further threat to allies especially France and stop Germany from launching any other attacks. Germany however detested this. It meant they were reduced to a second rank power in Europe and left them feeling vulnerable and weak. Germany also was made to pay reparations of 6.6 billion dollars, and give away lots of its industry like the Saar coalfields to France for 15 Years. to France Britain and the USA. This left Germany with no money and in economic chaos. It soon led to hyper-inflation and in 1923 German currency actually ceased to have value.

In the end Woodrow Wilson developed the Dawes plan which was a loan to help Germany pay its reparations. It was helpful to France however as it increased there money reserves and helped them recover from the war. The Saar coalfields also gave them more economic strength. A third major term was article 231. This stated that Germany must accept full responsibility and acknowledge her "guilt" for starting the war. This was not at all true as it was because of Austria-Hungary and Serbia.

It infuriated the Germans and seriously damaged there pride and prestige. The previously German port of Danzig was to be controlled by the League of Nations. This became a "free city". This left Germany as a land-lock power and cut of many important trade routes. The Treaty also said German colonies were to be taken away from her and divided amongst allies. This reduced Germany's population and reduced power.

Many Germans found themselves in new countries formed by the war such as Czechoslovakia. However it increased the allied Empires. Germany was forced to give her navy to the USA and Britain. This reduced Germany's power and angered them that they should give there navy to there enemies. However they actually managed no to do this by sinking there own ships. The Treaty of Versailles was not the only treaty after the war.

There were two other important ones. The treaty of St Germain dealt with Austria (Austria and Hungary spilt and created to separate states. These are the main points: Austria was reduced to a small mountainous nation of 6.5 million people. Territory was taken to create Poland, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia. Territory was given to Italy (South Tyrol and Istria). The army was reduced to 35 000.

Austria was forbidden to unite with Germany (Anschluss). The second was the Treaty of Trianon, dealing with Hungary. It stated that: Slovakia and Ruthenia to be given to Czechoslovakia. Croatia and Slovenia to be given to Yugoslavia. Transylvania and the Banat of Temes var to Romania. Both treaties contained the League of Nations Covenant.

These treaties mostly stuck to the rules of self-determination. More people were rules by their own governments. However this was not always the case as there were some exceptions to the pattern for example 3 million Germans found themselves in Czechoslovakia. These treaties left both countries economically devastated. Austria's population was reduced from 22 million - 6.5 million most of its industrial wealth was lost to Czechoslovakia and Poland. The capital, Vienna found itself surrounded by farmland that could hardly support it.

It was having to be constantly helped by the League of Nations. Hungary was also effected. Its population fell from 21 million - 7.5 million. It lost some of its richest corn land to Romania. Also tariffs introduced by the new states interrupted trade flow throughout Danube.