World War and boundary settlements after the First and Second World War
First World War
The war fought between July 28, 1914, and November 11, 1918, was known at the time as the Great War, the War to End War, and (in the United States) the European War. Only when the world went to war again in the 1930s and ’40s did the earlier conflict become known as the First World War. Its casualty totals were unprecedented, soaring into the millions. World War I is known for the extensive system of trenches from which men of both sides fought. Lethal new technologies were unleashed, and for the first time a major war was fought not only on land and on sea but below the sea and in the skies as well. The two sides were known as the Allies or Entente—consisting primarily of France, Great Britain, Italy, Russia, and later the United States—and the Central Powers, primarily comprised of Austria-Hungary (the Habsburg Empire), Germany, and the Ottoman Empire (Turkey). A number of smaller nations aligned themselves with one side or the other. In the Pacific Japan, seeing a chance to seize German colonies, threw in with the Allies. The Allies were the victors, as the entry of the United States into the war in 1917 added an additional weight of men and materiel the Central Powers could not hope to match.
The war resulted in a dramatically changed geo-political landscape, including the destruction of three empires: Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman and Russian. New borders were drawn at its conclusion and resentments, especially on the part of Germany, left festering in Europe. Ironically, decisions made after the fighting ceased led the War to End War to be a significant cause of the Second World War.
Consequences of World War 1:
The outcome of World War I saw extreme political, cultural, and social revolution across Europe, Asia, Africa, and even in areas outside those that were directly involved. Four territories malformed due to the war, old countries were abolished, new ones were formed, boundaries were redrawn, international organizations 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 change 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
Results
End of Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman & Russian empires Harsh surrender terms forced on Germany major cause of WWII Redrawing of borders in Europe & Mideast
Second World War
The carnage of World War II was unpreceented and brought the world closest to the term “total warfare.” On Average 27,000 people were killed each day between September 1, 1939, until the formal surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945. Western technological advances had turned upon itself, bringing about the most destructive war in human history. The primary combatants were the Axis nations of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Imperial Japan, and the Allied nations, Great Britain (and its Commonwealth nations), the Soviet Union, and the United States. Seven days after the suicide of Adolf Hitler, Germany unconditionally surrendered on May 7, 1945. The Japanese would go on to fight for nearly four more months until their surrender on September 2, which was brought on by the U.S. dropping atomic bombs on the Japanese towns of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Despite winning the war, Britain largely lost much of its empire, which was outlined in the basis of the Atlantic Charter. The war precipitated the revival of the U.S. economy, and by the war’s end, the nation would have a gross national product that was nearly greater than all the Allied and Axis powers combined. The USA and USSR emerged from World War II as global superpowers. The fundamentally disparate, one-time allies became engaged in what was to be called the Cold War, which dominated world politics for the latter half of the 20th century.
Casualties in World War II
The most destructive war in all of history, its exact cost in human lives is unknown, but casualties in World War II may have totaled over 60 million service personnel and civilians killed. Nations suffering the highest losses, military and civilian, in descending order, are: USSR: 42,000,000 Germany: 9,000,000 China: 4,000,000 Japan: 3,000,000
It was simply a continuation of the First World War that had theoretically ended in 1918. Others point to 1931, when Japan seized Manchuria from China. Others to Italy’s invasion and defeat of Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in 1935, Adolf Hitler’s re-militarization of Germany’s Rhineland in 1936, the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), and Germany’s occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1938 are sometimes cited. The two dates most often mentioned as “the beginning of World War II” are July 7, 1937, when the “Marco Polo Bridge Incident” led to a prolonged war between Japan and China, and September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland, which led Britain and France to declare war on Hitler’s Nazi state in retaliation. From the invasion of Poland until the war ended with Japan’s surrender in September 1945, most nations around the world were engaged in armed combat.
Results
End of German Third Reich United States and Russia become global superpowers Founding of the United Nations
Boundary settlements after the First World War
A century ago at the beginning of the First World War, the maps of Europe, Asia and Africa looked much different than they do today. On July 28th 1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, starting a slaughter that would leave millions dead. War redrew borders and reshaped economies, too. Europe’s debt-financed splurge on munitions prompted a manufacturing boom in America, boosting exports and transforming it from global debtor to global creditor. Germany’s Industry was hammered. Its economy only returned to the size it had been in 1913 over a decade later.
The Treaty of Versailles in 1919 was one of several to carve new countries from what remained of the pre-war empires. The Baltic states, given to Germany the previous year under the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which had taken Russia out of the war, became independent. Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia were created; Romania was enlarged; and Poland was rebuilt from former Russian, German and Austro-Hungarian territories.
Boundary settlements after the Second World War
During the course of WWII political maps continuously changed. Poland being the most noticeable change. The borders of Poland shifted completely. Poland’s borders were redrawn following the decisions made at the Potsdam Conference of 1945. Germany divided into two seperate countries. Poland Germany split in two! Comunist East! Germanys east portion was controlled by the soviet union. Soviet union being communist made the eastern half of former Germany into a communist state. In 1949 Germany was split into a communist east and a non-communist west. Non-Communist West! West Germany, also known as the Federal Republic of Germany, remained a republic during the time of the split. At the end of WWII, the Allies invaded Germany. The Soviets came from the East, and invaded up to the Oder-Neisse Line.The Americans, French, and British gained up to the same point from the west. After the War, this Western part of Germany went to the Americans, French, and British. They divided up their share of Germany into their own sections… As tensions between the U.S. and the Soviets grew, Berlin was also split, as both sides wanted it as the capital for its share of Germany (even though Berlin lay deep in the heart of East Germany). Eventually, West and East Berlin came into existence. East Berlin, of course, fell into the hands of the Soviets. …however, when West Germany was formed, these regions united to form one state. It was strictly communist controlled by the Soviet Union.
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World War I (WWI or WW1), also known as the First World War, was a global war originating in Europe that lasted from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918. Contemporaneously described as “the war to end all wars”, it led to the mobilisation of more than 70 million military personnel, including 60 million Europeans, making it one of the largest wars in history. Over 16 million people died, including 9.7 million Europeans, and an additional 7.9 million were wounded. Tens of millions of people died due to genocides (including the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, and the Holodomor), premeditated death from starvation, massacres, and disease. Aircraft played a major role in the conflict, including in strategic bombing of Population centers, the development of tanks, the use of chemical weapons, and the first use of submarines against merchant ships.
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife Sophie, by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist on 28 June 1914, was the trigger that set off a chain of events leading to the outbreak of war. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the assassination and delivered an ultimatum to the Serbian government. Serbia accepted most of the terms of the ultimatum, but Austria-Hungary saw this as insufficient and declared war on Serbia on 28 July 1914. Russia, as Serbia’s ally, declared war on Austria-Hungary on 1 August 1914. Germany, as Austria-Hungary’s ally, declared war on Russia and France on 1 August 1914 and Belgium on 4 August 1914. Britain, as France’s ally, declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914.
The war quickly spread to other parts of the world. Japan, as Britain’s ally, declared war on Germany on 23 August 1914. The Ottoman Empire, as Germany’s ally, declared war on Russia and France on 29 October 1914 and Britain on 5 November 1914. Italy, as a member of the Triple Entente, declared war on Austria-Hungary on 23 May 1915. The United States entered the war on 6 April 1917, after Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare.
The war ended with the signing of the Armistice of 11 November 1918. The Allies and the Central Powers signed the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, which officially ended the war. The treaty imposed harsh terms on Germany, including the loss of territory, the payment of reparations, and the reduction of its military.
The Treaty of Versailles was one of the Paris Peace Treaties that brought World War I to an end. The other treaties were the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye with Austria, the Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine with Bulgaria, the Treaty of Trianon with Hungary, the Treaty of Sèvres with the Ottoman Empire, and the Treaty of Lausanne with Turkey.
The Treaty of Versailles was signed on 28 June 1919 in the Palace of Versailles in France. The treaty was signed by the representatives of the Allied Powers and Germany. The treaty was ratified by the German government on 10 January 1920.
The Treaty of Versailles had a number of important provisions. The treaty forced Germany to cede territory to Belgium, Czechoslovakia, France, and Poland. Germany also had to pay reparations to the Allied Powers. The treaty also limited the size of the German military and navy.
The Treaty of Versailles was controversial from the start. Many Germans felt that the treaty was unfair and that it imposed too harsh terms on Germany. The treaty also contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in Germany.
The Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye was signed on 10 September 1919 in the Palace of Saint-Germain-en-Laye in France. The treaty was signed by the representatives of the Allied Powers and Austria. The treaty was ratified by the Austrian government on 16 October 1919.
The Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye had a number of important provisions. The treaty forced Austria to cede territory to Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Yugoslavia. Austria also had to pay reparations to the Allied Powers. The treaty also limited the size of the Austrian military and navy.
The Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye was controversial from the start. Many Austrians felt that the treaty was unfair and that it imposed too harsh terms on Austria. The treaty also contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in Austria.
What is a boundary settlement?
A boundary settlement is an agreement between two or more countries to define the border between their territories.
What are the different types of boundary settlements?
There are two main types of boundary settlements:
De facto boundaries are those that are actually in place, regardless of whether they have been formally agreed upon.
De jure boundaries are those that have been formally agreed upon by the countries involved.
What are the factors that influence boundary settlements?
The factors that influence boundary settlements include:
Geography – The physical features of the land, such as rivers, Mountains, and forests, can often be used to define boundaries.
History – The history of the region, including previous Wars and Treaties, can also play a role in boundary settlements.
Politics – The political situation in the region, including the interests of the countries involved, can also influence boundary settlements.
Economics – The economic factors of the region, such as trade routes and natural Resources, can also play a role in boundary settlements.
What are some examples of boundary settlements?
Some examples of boundary settlements include:
The Treaty of Versailles (1919) – This treaty, which ended World War I, established new boundaries between Germany and its neighbors.
The Treaty of Paris (1947) – This treaty, which ended World War II, established new boundaries between Germany and its neighbors.
The Camp David Accords (1978) – This agreement between Israel and Egypt established a new boundary between the two countries.
The Good Friday Agreement (1998) – This agreement between the United Kingdom and Ireland established a new boundary between the two countries.
What are the benefits of boundary settlements?
Boundary settlements can provide a number of benefits, including:
Reduced conflict – By clearly defining the borders between countries, boundary settlements can help to reduce the risk of conflict.
Increased trade – By making it easier to transport goods and people across borders, boundary settlements can help to increase trade.
Improved cooperation – By creating a framework for cooperation between countries, boundary settlements can help to improve relations between countries.
What are the drawbacks of boundary settlements?
Boundary settlements can also have a number of drawbacks, including:
Inequality – Boundary settlements can sometimes lead to inequality, as the borders may not be drawn in a fair or equitable manner.
Instability – Boundary settlements can sometimes lead to instability, as the borders may not be accepted by all parties involved.
Conflict – Boundary settlements can sometimes lead to conflict, as the borders may be disputed by one or more parties involved.
What is the future of boundary settlements?
The future of boundary settlements is uncertain. In some cases, boundary settlements may become more complex, as countries seek to address issues such as Climate change and Migration. In other cases, boundary settlements may become simpler, as countries seek to cooperate more closely.
Question 1
The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919. Which of the following was NOT a provision of the treaty?
(A) Germany was forced to give up territory to France, Belgium, Poland, and Czechoslovakia. (B) Germany was forced to pay reparations to the Allied powers. (C) Germany was forced to reduce its military forces. (D) Germany was forced to accept responsibility for the war.
Answer (D)
The Treaty of Versailles did not force Germany to accept responsibility for the war. This was done in the Treaty of Paris, which was signed in 1920.
Question 2
The League of Nations was an international organization that was founded in 1919. Which of the following was NOT one of the goals of the League of Nations?
(A) To prevent future wars. (B) To promote international cooperation. (C) To protect Human Rights. (D) To settle international disputes peacefully.
Answer (C)
The League of Nations did not have a mandate to protect human rights. This was one of the goals of the United Nations, which was founded in 1945.
Question 3
The Second World War began in 1939 and ended in 1945. Which of the following was NOT a major event of the war?
(A) The bombing of Pearl Harbor. (B) The D-Day invasion. (C) The Battle of Stalingrad. (D) The Holocaust.
Answer (A)
The bombing of Pearl Harbor was a major event of World War II, but it did not occur until 1941. The other events all occurred before 1941.
Question 4
The Yalta Conference was held in 1945. Which of the following was NOT one of the decisions made at the conference?
(A) The division of Germany into four occupation zones. (B) The creation of the United Nations. (C) The establishment of the Iron Curtain. (D) The Potsdam Agreement.
Answer (C)
The Iron Curtain was established in 1946, after the Yalta Conference. The other decisions were all made at the Yalta Conference.
Question 5
The Potsdam Agreement was signed in 1945. Which of the following was NOT a provision of the agreement?
(A) Germany was to be divided into four occupation zones. (B) Berlin was to be a four-power city. (C) Germany was to be demilitarized. (D) Germany was to be democratized.
Answer (D)
The Potsdam Agreement did not call for Germany to be democratized. The other provisions were all included in the agreement.