Chapter

The First Word War

Sope of Syllabus

The First World War

Causes (Nationalism and Imperialism, Armament Race, Division of Europe and Sarajevo Crisis) and results
Sfreaty of Versailles, territorial rearrangement, formation of the League of Nations).

SMPORTANT TERMS, EVENTS, PERSONS AND DATES

which most of the European countries
First World War : The War which was fought from 1914-1918 in
were involved.
Germany. Under the Treaty, Germany
The Treaty of Versailles: The treaty was signed by the Allies with
was held quilty for the First World War. Wilson of USA
was initiated on January 16, 1920 by President
" League of Nations : The League of Nations
with its headquarters at Geneva in Switzerland.
had
formed a Triple Alliance in 1882 A.D. They
The First World War mutual help to each other in case
A.D.) engulfed made treaties of in
of awar with the opponents. Tension prevailed
(1914-1918
The First World War the
fought on awide bloC-wise. In
almost the whole world. It was their relations with each other,
About alliances
Scale on the land, the sea and in
th air, words of Prof. Fay, "The system of secret
the come it would involve
war.)Because of made it inevitable that if war did
86 nations took part in this
unprecedented extent of its spread,
impact and its all the Great Powers of Europe".
World War.A2 This secret diplomacy gave rise to the feelings of
total nature, it was called a
mutual suspicion, distrust and hatred.
Causes of the War
diVIdedTriple Alliance :
Thecauses of the First World War can be
" The Dual Alliance, between Germany and
into two categories : Austria was formed in 1879, with the promise
and
(a) The long-term causes, to help each other in case of a Russian attack.
(6)The Immediate causes. " In 1882, Italy also joined the Dual Alliance, thus
9The Long-Term Causes:
forming the Triple Alliance. However, Italy
1. Division of Europe the: Europe was divided entered the First World War in 1915 and fought
camps at dawn of the 20th against Germany and Austria-Hungary. After,
otwo hostile divided
European nations were the outbreak of the War, Germany and Austria
entury. The major France and Russia
lto Blocs. For example, Britain, Earlier Hungary were joined by the Ottoman Empire
Entente in 1907 A.D, and Bulgaria. These four countries are referred
ad formed the Triple Austria-Hungary and Italy
had to as the Central Powers,
Germany,
han this,
 A -14
Triple Entente: Triple Entente was the name 2. Nationalism: The 19th century was an era
given to the alliance among Russia France and narrow nationalism. Patriotism, love for o
Britain During the course of war, many other nation, meant hatred towards the otherone's n
Countries, such as Canada, Australia) ltaly Japan Each nation thought about her own nations.
and the United States lalso joined the Entente. interests. During this period nationalist national
othergroupsand
" The aliance system bound the members became increasingly intolerant of each
of each side to provide military support ever ready togo to war.
whenever war broke out between any one of
the members and its enemy. Nationalism was a particularly immportant
The alliances were kept secret, thus creating cause of World War | due to several key
fear, suspicion and uncertainty. For instance, it caused nations to build up
factons.
" The alliances also made their member armies and led to increased militarism. As
their
countries confident of military support. The created extremely high tensions in Europe
wel, t
in the
European powers became more ambitious decades before the outbreak of the First
about annexing overseas territories and Wotd
colonies, which resulted in frequent
War. Thiswas especially present during the Bal
Crisis before World War I.
international crises.
The alliances required military commitment (0 The most serious Source of nationalist
and therefore encouraged the armament race. tensionin Europe after 1871 was the area called
Balkans.
(i) A large part of
the Balkans was under the
control of the Ottoman
Empire which started
ARCTIC OCEAN disintegrating in the 19h

LNITEDKINGDONM
SWEDES
NORWAY, BALTIC
SEA
FINLAND
St. Petersbug century.
(iii) One by one,
OF GREAT BRITAIN -ESTONIA
AND RELAND
NORTH
SEA
Moscow its European subject
DENMAXK LATVIA
nationalities broke away
LLITHUANA
from its control and
RUSSIAN
London
NETHERLAND
Berlin
EMPIRE declared independence.
ATLANTIC BELGIUM
OCEAN
GERMANY
Warsaw
(iv) Balkans became
LUXEMBURG the scene of big power
) Vienna
FRANCE
Budapest
sWITZERILAND AUSTRIA- HUNGARY RUMANIA
BOSNIA BLACK SEA
CASPLAN: rivalry among the big
powers.
ITALY (V) Each power -
SPAIN BULGARIA
rRZEGOCon antinople
Russia, Germany, England,
Rome
INA S
OTTOMAN EMPIRE
Austria-Hungary - Was
ALBANLA

keen on countering
te
GKEECE

AFRICA hold of other powers

Balkans, ano
ME DITERRANEAN SEA over the
extending its own contr
This led to
Over the area.
series of wars in
the region
and finally
the First World
Europe in 1914 before the outbreak of the First World War.
War.
Clvcs-10

H0storv &
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 Empire
" Russia's expansion plan in OttomanGermany
clashed with the interest of Britain,
and Austria.
Japan which had become an imperialist power
on the
had ambitions in the Far East and was
way to fulfil them.
became a
The naval Irace between Britain and Germany was intensified " Thus, the rivalry over the colonies
by 1906. The total arms spending by the six Great Powers major cause of the World War I.
the later
(Britain, Germany, France, Russia, Austria-Hungary and Italy)
increased by. about 50% between 1908 and 1913.
4. Militarism and Armament Race: ln
half of the 19th century, militarism was growing
in Europe. It was caused by narrow nationalism,
2 Clash of Imperialist Interests and Colonial economic competition and international tensio
Chralry : Imperialism is a system where one powerful Germany bad acguired her colonies in Africa and
ation occupies, controls and exploits smaller few lslands in the Pacific Ocean. In order to protect
tions. The occupied nation known as colony was these. she made more warships and develope
orovide raw material and market for finished, powerful navw. Her Ship Imperator built in
o00ds increased manpower for national armies and was the largest in the world. She had left Britain
and
missionaries to preach the gospel. Several European France far behind in thee production of iron and steel.
nations were imperial povwers prior to World War l. She also dugthe keilcanal deeper for the warships to
"By the end of the 19th century, Britain. France, remain there. Britain and France felt concerned with
Spain, Holland, Portugal and Belgium were the German war preparations and thus, they were forced
major imperialist powers. to enter the armament race. The defence spending
"The second half of the 1800s produced a had increased enormously between 1908 and 1914.
significant 'rush for empire'. This desperate (b) The Immediate Causes :
push for new colonies was fuelled by rising The Sarajevo Incident:
nationalism, increasing demand for land and "In June 1914, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand,
dwindling opportunities at home. Two relative the Heir-Apparent to the throne of Austria
newcomers to empire-building were the newly went on an official visit to Sarajevo, the capital
unified nations of Germany and Italy. of Bosnia.
"Germany surpassed other European nations in " There, on June 28, 1914, he and his wife were
industrial production. She wanted a share in the shot dead.
world market. It became necessary for Germany " The assassin, Gavrilo Princep, was a nineteen
to have her own colonies. This brought her into a year old Bosnian. This dual murder had
direct clash with the existing colonial powers like been planned in Serbia by a secret society of
Britain, France and others. This created a warlike patriotic terrorists, called the "Black Hand".
situation. " The Austrians blamed the Serbians for
" In 1904, Britain and France made a secret this crime, as the assassin and the fellow
agreement in which Britain would have political
conspirators had received their quns and
control over Egypt and France over Morocco. But
bombs in the Serbian capital, with the help of
the French claim over MoroccO was opposed by offiçial_.
Serbian YSnino A 10 + A -4
Presug this to be true, Austria made eleven
Germany which declared that all the nations had demands and sent a stiff ultimatum to Serbia
equal opportunities to trade with it. on 23d July, to apprehend the criminals and
" The plan of Germany to construct a railway line hand them over to the Austrian government.
from Berlin to Baghdad created a fear in the " Austria also sought a ban on anti-Austrian
minds of Britain, France and Russia. publications, anti-Austrian meetings and
"Italy's ambitious plans in Africa and Ottoman institutions in Serbia.A-10 t+ A - 9
Empire also alarmed the big powers.

The Contemporary World 225

 " Thereupon Germany declared war on
August 1, and on France on Russia aon
" Next day, Britain declared warAugust 3,
upon 1914.
when the German army
invaded Germany.
whose neutrality had
Britain.
been Belgium,by
guaranteed
" When Germany moved fast,
declared war on Russia on August 6, Austria-Hungary
Turkey and Bulgaria joined the War on1914.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were shot and nthe
killed in their car on a visit to Sarajevo on June 28, 1914.
of Austria and Germany. side
" In August 1914 A.D., Japan also
declared war
on Germany with a view to capturing
The War Begins : colonies in the Far East. Germarn
When Serbia refused to comply with some Italy left the Triple Alliance and joined
of the above conditions (because of Russian against Germany and Austria-Hungary inthe1915war
instigation), especially those that would have In all, about 86 nations took part in this War
Jed to loss of her soyereignty. The End of the VWar
Austria declared a War on Serbia on July 28, The War lasted for almost four years. The
T914. Upon this, Russia warned Austria and
combined forces of the U.S.A., Britain and France
mobilized her troops. A-9 defeated the Austrians and the Germans in the
First World War
War, and forced them to ask for peace. German
Emperor Kaiser William lost hopes of winning the
war. He fled to Holland. This Great War came to an
end on 11th November, 1918, when the Germans
signed the Armistice. The Armistice was based on
fourteen points which President Wilson of America
had formulated.
The Peace Settlement
A conference of the representatives
of different European countries was held in
Paris to settle the terms for peace. ermany
signed the Treaty of Peace on June 28, 1919
A.D. In addition, separate treaties were signed
by the representatives of Austria, theHungary,
with Allied
Turkey and Bulgaria jointly
together were g
Powers. All these treaties
Paris Peace Settlement o
the name of the
1919-1923.
Date 28th july, 1914 - 11 th November, 1918
Location Europe, Africa and Middle East The Treaty of Versailles, 1919 A.D. main Treaty
Result " Treaty of Versailles The Treaty of Versailles was the Miros at
Hall of Germary
" Allied victory; end of the German, signed on June 28, 1919 in the defeated
Russian, Ottoman, and Austro Versailles in France, between the the [Link]
Hungarian Empires; foundation of new and the victors Britain, France andConference. There
countries in Europe and the Middle 27 natlons represented the Peace made with otheretc.
East; transter of German colonies to were some sub-treaties as well Turkey

other powers; establishment of the Hungary, the

League of Nations. defeated nations like Austria, part In making
Minister,

The leaders who played an active

British
Prime

terms of these treaties were the &

Clvica-10

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 George, the French Prime Minister, George
enenceau, the U.S. President, Woodrow Wilson The Treaty of Versailles 1919
Prime Minister [Link] of Italy.
d
3E ur
Wote Paper
BRAND'S

Erning Stanùari , AY,

Lendrum's

END OF THE WAR

CERMANY SIGNS OUR TERMS & FIGHTING
STOPPED AT 11 O'CLOCK TO-DAY.
ALLES TRIUMPHANT. FULLARMISTICE TERMS
ND LLOYD GEORGE TELL NEWS EVACUATION 10 HE RHINE AND
REJOICINC BRIDGEHEADS FOR ALLIES
THAT SENT THE WORLD
porTISH BACK AT MONS! U-BOATS TO SURRENDER.
d himerie ennountemet, which arn that GUNS HANDED OVER AND BATTLE
e Llevd Ceorte 4o he nston st 1020 bi SHIPS DISARMED.
ri
T A n N S REPATRIATING PRISONERS

From left, Prime Minister David Lloyd George of the

The end of the War, as announced by the Evening United Kingdom, Prime Minister Vittorio Emmanuel
Standard in London on November 11, 1918.
Orlando of Italy, Prime Minister George Clemenceau
of France, and President Woodrow Wilson of the
Wain Terms of the Treaty of Versailles, United States.
june 28, 1919
Signed Location June 28, 1919 Versailles, France.
The following were the main terms of the Treaty Effective January 10, 1920
dVersailles made with Germany, which she was Impact It ended the state of war between
(ompelled to sign. Germany and Allied Powers.
1. Germany was held guilty of aggression. She Signatories () France
was to pay 33 billion dollars to the victors as (i) Italy
(ii) Germany
war compensation. (iv) United Kingdom
2. Germany was to evacuate from the areas she (v) United States
had captured during the war.
3. The German area of Rhine Valley was to
7. To compensate France for the destruction of
be demilitarized, i.e., not to construct any
fortification either on the right bank or the her coal mines by Germany in 1918 A.D., she
was given full control over the rich coal mines
left bank. The existing ones were to be in the Saar basin of Germany, to be governed
demolished.
by the League of Nations.
4. The German territory to the west of the Rhine 8. Germany lost all her colonies to the Allies.
Valley was to be occupied by the Allied For example, Britain and France divided
Troops for 15 years. and shared the regions of Togoland and the
J. Germany was to return Alsace and Lorraine Cameroons (West Africa). German colonies in
to France; she was to handover Eupen and East Africa and South-West Africa were shared
Malmady to Belgium; the city of Memel to between England, Belgium, Portugal and
Lithuania. South Africa. A- 2u
0. The newly created state of Poland got back al 9. Germany was' allowed to keep only one lakh
her territories lost in the war. She got Posen Soldiers, 15,000 naval men and 36 ships but no
and West Prussia. To provide Poland with a airforce or submarines. A2y
port, Danzig was internationalised and kept as 10. Germany had to cede to the Allies her
a free city' under the protection of League of merchant ships as compensation.
Nations.
The Contemporary World 227
Britain

After a number of notable successes and some

() Britain and france dividend and shared the early failures in the 1920s, the League ultimately
regions to Togo and the Cameroons (South proved incapable of
East Africa)
preventing aggression by the
Axis Powers in the 1930s. The onset of the Second
. German colonies in East Africa and South. World War suggested that the League had failed in
West Africa were shared between England, its primary purpose, which was toavoid any future
Belgium Portugal and South Africa. World War. The United Nations replaced it after the
i) lapan was given Shantung and Kiau-Chow end of the war and inherited a number of agencies
in China
and organizations founded by the League.
(i) New Zealand was given Samoa Island.
Objectives of the League of Nations were as
Formation of the League of Nations: The follows :
League of Nations was an international organization The chief aim of the Leaque of Nations was "to
founded as a reesult of the Treaty of Versailles promote international cooperation and to achieve
international peace and security."
1919-1920. The League was established in () All the states of the world were not allowed
1920 with its headquarters at Geneva. It had 58 to enter into any secret treaties.
members. The League's goals included disarmament, () The member states were not supposed to
have warships and destructive armaments.
peventing war through collective security, settling (ii) All the states should refer to the League of
iknutes between countries through negotiations,
Nations their mutual disputes, if any.
diplomacy and improving global quality of life. The (iv) The states should respect each other's
league lacked its own armed force and so depended independence and maintain open, just and
on the Great Powers to enforce its resolutions, keep honourable relations between nations.
to economic sanctions, or provide an army when () The League of Nations was responsible for
needed. promoting cultural, social and economic cooperation
among the member states.

Exercise
A. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:
1. Mention the time period of the First World War. 1914- 1918
2. Whyjs thp First Word Wat calleg a Wgrld War 2,2,223
3. Narme thé two ålliances tormet îin Europé before the beginning of theFirst World War.
4Name th counries which formed the Triple Aliance and the Triple Entent.". (ICSE 2005)

Name the signatory countries of the Triple Alliance (1882). State the rival block that Was formed.
Alsa2- Lorrine, B0snio -Her2eg ovnia
S. Mentign
(ICSE 2005)
two territorial çonflicts between ngtiong beforethe oubreak,of Wald Wart ya)
6. What brauahtcermarny intd a-direct clash
B jwithEMStng
t r i a SIke Bitain and France
2 pansinn
7 What waa the ause of cohfictbetween ranz Ferdinanol
8. What was the immediate cause of the First World War ? A-7 Ans (ICSE 2013)
9. How did the Sarajevo crisis in 1914 lead to the First World War ? P 225,225 (ICSE 2006)
10. What were the conditions of the Austrian ultimatum to Serbia ?
Pa 225
12 Why didBrtan Gellare háfon Geftnartiy and he?At0,
erbia and
11. Which couFtry declared war on Serbia znd 28 ulu,l9l4
when ?5el9um on 4th Aua, 1444.,
13. Which country yvithdeewfrom th TiRle AjanG during th¹ World War | ? 14olu
14. Why'did America decfare war oh termany mAphn1?ucteo
15. Name the five major powers which got invoved in World War l. subrhorin e wansou
The Contemporary 229

Auwdnia- Hungory
Bolshevik Revolutionfromof 1917; Rua s htovy
the War ?
Rusia withdraw two reasons. Mention R
16. Withdidwhiçh
17. Why çountry is the Bol_hevik Revolution related and, in which, year dËd the, revolution take þlace ?
n Aliec
whont was the Treaby bf Vesailles sighed Name
18. When'ahd betweer
nations were respresented at the Peace Conference ? the 'Big Four' power.
19. How many
on Germany through the Treaty of Versailles?33hi
21 What
20. muchthedidwar
Hoy was Geqnany haveimposed
indemnity to bay ás wat reparation charges acording tÝ Treaty of Versailles ? ((CSE 2010)
Utas
22Whattatrance gain fròm the Treaty or Versailles 7 i s toY l5
23. Mention Germany's loss of territory in Europe. AlSau- ora t0 FAn.
24. What didthe Alied powers do to cubthe German miltarism banntd malort....
Pa 227 or
What were the military restrictions imposed on Germany ?
25., Whiçh was the mo_t unju_t term of the djçtated
he
treaty. Guill'Clowe
26."Mehtion tvo hobeimporanr lautes of (ICSE 2007, 2014,
27. Is it correct to say that the Treaty of Versailles subjced Germany to the harshest possible conditions? 2023)
\usty
UiYsthy
you answer by mentioning two geasons,.Ahounn ey Qu
28. Menton any twoi mpotant tonequencesNations
of theinitated
First World War. wilsn, Cicru CSE 209
?Where were its headquarters
29. WheH an bywhom was the league of Nations.4250
30. Mention any two objectives of the Leaque of
31. State two factors which were, responsible for the,failure of the League of Nations.3| (ICSE 2014)
32. Nameahy two obections
thetwo formed in Europe betore World W¡r ,
tiya bfocs imposed (ICSE 2015)
33. State bythe Treaty ofVersailles'on the German military power. (CSE 201
34. Name the signatory countries of Triple Alliance, Uerman Od MUAtria-ics 201
?A-3DAng
35. Why was the League of Nations established
-25 Ans
HungoYy0CSE 2019)
36. Mention any two clauses of the Treaty of Versailles. A
beginning of the First World War.
(CSE 2023)
37. Name the two alliances formed in Europe before the ((CSE 2023)
A-32 Ans
B. STRUCTURED QUESTIONS:
1. With reference to the causes of the First World War, explain:
(a) Clash of Imperial Interests and Colonial Rivalries. (b) Militant Nationalism as a cause of the War.
() The split of Europe into two Armed Camps.
Or
Enumerate any three causes of the First World War. (ICSE 200s, 2007, 2011)
2. Explain the reasons for the formation of:
) Triple Alliance and (i) Triple Entente
Refer to :
(o) The countries involved in the Alliances. (b) The purpose or relevance of these Allances.
3. With reference to Austrian-Serbian clash, explain the Sarajevo incident.
4. Write a note on the Treaty of Versailles with reference to:
(a) Losses to Germany in material and military arrangement.
(b) Losses with respect to her own territories.
(c) Losses with respect to her colonies.
(a) Mention four points under the Treaty of Versailles which affected Germany.
2015)
(ICSE 2005, 2007, 2011,
outbreak of the Second World War. ((CSE 200/)
(b) Explain how the Treaty of Versailles was responsible for the
5. Explain the aims and objectives of the League of Nations. Why were the aims not fulfilled ?
Or
of the Leaque of Nations WItn
? Name the organization formed in 19452008,
What were the objectives 200S, 2011)
(CSE toits
objectives. World Wars due
6. The 1914 and 1939 Wars that engulfed almost the entire world, were known as
unprecedented impact and damage. In this context, answer the following:
(a) Explain the immediate cause of the First World War.

30) Prevent f wo: M

qndain Clvics-10
History&
ICSE

jnbunaynl peaca
 (b) Mention any four terms of the Treaty of Versailles which affected Germany after
Worio wa(ICSE 2017)
1. The irst Worid War had a devastating effect on the world and caused unprecedented destruction. With
reference to the First world War, answer the following questions : (ICSE 2022)
() Name the signatory countries of the Triple Entente.
() What is meant by the term Imperialism ?
(il) Explain the immediate cause of the First World War.
(M) What was the amount of war reparation that Germany had to pay the Allies ? Mention any two te
of the Treaty of Versailles which affected the German military.
C. MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCOs)
1. Whicb of the following is correct as regards the time period of World War-1?
Aa) 1914 - 1918 () 1914-1916
(b) 1939-1945 () 1917-1922
2. The Triple Alliance was formed in
year.
(a) 1857 (b) 1907 () 1911 () 1882
3. Which of the following was not the member of Triple Entente formed during First World War?
(a) Britain (b) France () Russia (d) Germany
4. Germany, Austria - Hungary and Italy formed in 1882.
(a) Triple Entente (b) Triple Alliance (c) Axis Powers (d) Allied Powers
5. Which of the following is not TRUE with respect to World War-1?
(i) It was fought between 1914 - 1918 A.D
(0) Rise of Fascism in Italy under Mussolini and Nazism in Germany under Hitler was one of the major factors
responsible for the War.
(o) Only () () Only (i) (c) Both (o) and (b) () Neither () Nor (ii)
6, Which of the following incident is not related to World War-1?
(o) Sarajevo Incident (b) Treaty of Versaille
(Y Germany's attack on Poland () Triple Alliance
7. In 1904, Britain and France made asecret agreement in which Britain would have political control over Egypt
and over Morocco.
(0) Germany (b) Austria () France (d) USA
8. Before the First World War decided to construct a railway line from Berlin to Baghdad.
(oy Germany (b) Austria () France (d) USA
9. Which of the following is TRUE with respect to the Sarajevo incident?
(i) It occurred in June 1914.
(ii) The Austrians blamed the Serbians for this crime.
(o) Only () (6) Only (i) ( Both (a) and (b) () Neither (i) Nor (ii)
10. Austriadeclared a war on Serbia on
(oY July 28, 1914 (b) June 28, 1914 (c) May 28, 1914 () August 28, 1914
11. ....declared a war grSerbia on July 28, 1914.
(a) France (b Austria () Germany () Italy
12. Which of the following countrie[ supported Serbia when it was attacked by Austria in July 1914?
(a) France (bY Russia () Germany (c) Italy
13. The .........was the main Treaty, signed on June 28, 1919 in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles in Erance.
betweenthe defeated Germany and the victors Britain, France and the U.S.A.
o Treaty of Versailles (b) Treaty of St. Germania
(c) Treaty of Sevres (a) Treaty of Austria
14. The Treaty of Versailles was signed between and
Yo Germany, France, Britain, and the U.S.A (b) Germany, Austria, Britain, and the U.S.A
(c) Russia, France, Britain, and the U.S.A () Italy, France, Britain, and the U.S.A

The ContemporaryWorld 231

31) ND army, Absena D mojor pon