World War I: The Costs and Effects

I.

COSTS IN LOSS OF LIVES

Military deaths (major powers)
Russia . 2,000,000+?
Britain ..886,000
France...1,387,000
Italy.. 651,000
United States.. ...126,000
Germany. .1,873,000
Austrian Empire.. 1,212,000
Total military 1914-1918: est. 9,838,000
Civilian Deaths 1914-1919: 10,000.000 (military causes,
disease, famine, starvation)
II. Economic Costs: $350.000,000,000 (est. billions
Ill. Significant Effects of the War (positive and
negative)
1. Decline of Europe as Center of World Power
German, Russian, Ottoman (Turkish) and
Austrian Empires gone or greatly reduced
Rise of non-European powers in world affairs:
U.S. and Japan
Decline of Colonial Empires = Rise of
nationalism in Africa and Asia

 Creation of League of Nations to prevent war

(future United Nations)
2. Economic Decline in Europe
Most governments have tremendous war debts.
Much industry and international finances
disrupted because of war
Economic decline contributes to world wide
depression 1920s-30s
3. Rise of Totalitarian Governments and
Dictatorships in Europe
Germany = Nazism and Hitler, Italy = Fascism and
Mussolini, Russia = Communism and Stalin
People have lost faith in democracy, want
prosperity/security at any price
Treaty of Versailles angers Germans, Italians,
and others, want new leaders
Strong isolation/anti-war feelings, no one to
stop rise of dictators
4. War Creates a New Social Order
Last power of aristocrats gone in Europe,
middle class will now drive events

 Women gain power: employment and political

(suffrage = voting power)
Lost Generation :traditional social mores and
values are questioned, live for today attitude,
atheism