World War I

1. 
   Results of the First World War
2. 
   Features in tactics and strategy of the First World War
3. 
   Why first world war called a war the results of which were stolen, from whom and by whom? What were the main areas of falsification in the literature of the First World War?

1. 
   Results, lessons, meanings of the First World War

They are unambiguous. The First World War is one of the longest, bloodiest and most significant in consequences in human history. It lasted more than four years. It was attended by 33 countries out of 59 that had state sovereignty at that time. The population of the warring countries amounted to over 1.5 billion people, that is, about 87% of all inhabitants of the Earth. A total of 73.5 million people were put under arms. More than 10 million were killed and 20 million were wounded.

Grandiose scale and the protracted nature of the First World War led to an unprecedented militarization of the economy for industrial states. This had an impact on the course of economic development of all major industrial states in the period between the two world wars: strengthening government regulation and economic planning, the formation of military-industrial complexes.

Casualties among the civilian population who suffered from epidemics, famine, cold and other wartime disasters also numbered in the tens of millions.The First World War changed the habits and morals of people, made them more tolerant of state forms of violence and sowed the seeds of future international conflicts that sprouted into bloody clashes in our time, for example in Yugoslavia in the early 90s.

1. 
   Tactics and strategy of the First World War

The outcome of the First World War was decided by the ratio of material and human resources of both sides. The warring states were forced to transfer their economies to war footing. In such a war, the Entente countries had significant advantages. The two largest colonial empires, Great Britain and France, worked for them. Germany was militarily superior to any of the countries in both coalitions. Its main advantages were longer and more focused preparations for war, a developed railway network that ensured the rapid transfer of reserves, readiness for the mass introduction of the latest technical inventions and types of weapons (for example, heavy howitzers, machine guns, submarines, chemical weapons), excellent professional quality officer corps, an advanced recruitment system based on universal conscription and effective work with reservists, a powerful propaganda machine. However, her allies were much less prepared.

Taking into account the emerging balance of forces, the German strategic plan, prepared by Chief of the General Staff Schlieffen, was focused on conducting a short-term and energetic military campaign with the subsequent defeat of France and Russia with two lightning strikes. France was planned to be the first to withdraw from the war - the main forces of the German army were concentrated on the western front, which were to make a swift dash through the territory of neutral Belgium to reach the rear of the French attack group and set up new “Cannes”. After a strategic victory on the western front, the German command was going to move on to decisive action in the east. The Austro-Hungarian troops were tasked with pinning down the Russian army until this time, while simultaneously conducting offensive operations against Serbia and Montenegro. The French strategic plan, developed by the Chief of the General Staff, General Joffre, was of a “defensive-offensive” nature. It provided for both containing the German offensive in Southern Belgium and Luxembourg (the likelihood of a wide offensive of the German army across the whole of Belgium was not foreseen) and conducting active offensive operations in Alsace and Lorraine. The English expeditionary force was also supposed to take part in military operations on the western front. In turn, the British fleet had to ensure the Entente's advantage in sea communications. Great hopes were placed on the active actions of the Russian army, which were envisaged in two strategic directions at once - against German troops in East Prussia and against the Austro-Hungarian army in Galicia. Other possible theaters of military operations, including the Asian-Turkish, Italian, Balkan, African, and East Asian, were considered auxiliary. The outcome of the war was to be decided in Europe.

1. 
   Why was the First World War called a war, the results of which were stolen, from whom and by whom? What were the main areas of falsification in the literature of the First World War?

There is a point of view that the results of the First World War were stolen by the Bolsheviks. The thesis that the Bolsheviks stole Russia's victory in the First World War was first voiced by White emigrants in the early 1920s. A large-scale revival of the myth occurred in the 1990s after the collapse of the USSR. Moreover, two versions of the myth appeared. According to the first, old one, the victory was stolen from the Provisional Government by the Bolsheviks in October 1917.

But there is a second point of view, that the victory was taken away from Russia not by the Bolsheviks, but by the notorious order No. 1 of Kerensky...
An unacceptable stupidity was committed - to democratize the army in conditions of war.
The Bolsheviks only took advantage of the current political situation and used the flammable material that Kerensky synthesized in their own interests. The soldiers and sailors who deserted from the fronts no longer fought, but took part in the work of the Soviets, which had taken over power from the Provisional Government. In addition, they became the main social support of the Bolsheviks. It should also be noted that among the Bolsheviks there was also no consensus on the conclusion
shameful world.
The version that the German army was not defeated on the battlefield, but was killed as a result of a treacherous “stab with a dagger in the back” was also widespread in German military-historical and journalistic literature of the 20-30s. This meant:the selfless struggle of the German proletariat against militarism and war, the “liberal” government policy, which supposedly tied the hands of the high command and, finally, the November Revolution, which was the “culmination” of the betrayal of the “national interests” of the German people. If all this had not happened, the outcome of the war and the terms of the peace treaty would have been different. The legend of the “dagger blow” became the main version of the reasons for the military defeat of Germany in 1918. This was not a simple falsification of history. It united the deepest hatred of the revolutionary movement,anti-communism, chauvinism and limitless exaggeration of one's own military power . Heavily promoted in numerous historical and journalistic works, in periodicals, and in oral speeches of political and military leaders, this reactionary legend became an integral part of German imperialist ideology, the most important tool in the preparation of the Second World War. The legend of the “dagger blow” also has its adherents today among some of the most reactionary West German historians

Modern American historiography is showing increased interest in the problems of the First World War. This is due to the nature of the political aspirations of the ruling circles of the United States of America. Trying to delay the development of the world revolutionary process, the American imperialists are interfering in the internal affairs of many countries and want to suppress the people’s struggle for freedom and independence by force of arms. In order to justify the aggressive policy of imperialism, all means are used, including falsification of history. Reactionary writers distort the true role of the United States in past wars, including World War I. In particular, a lot of effort is spent on substantiating the false thesis that the ruling classes of the country have no aggressive intentions. The 12-volume work of Reserve Colonel Trevor Dupuis is very famous in American historiography of the First World War. Military history the first world war." The author is one of the famous military historians. In addition to the work mentioned above, he wrote works on the history of the American Civil War of 1861-1865 (102) and the Second World War. Dupuy's popularity is largely due to the noisy advertising that is created for his works. They are presented to readers as works in which the author’s “talent” and “impartiality” in the presentation of historical facts are clearly demonstrated.

Dupuy's work on the history of the First World War is structured in a problem-chronological manner. The scientific level of work is low. It contains no references to sources and literature. The author does not introduce any new facts. His main goal is to falsify the history of the First World War, to distort its character. In explaining the causes of the war and the motives for the US entry into it, G. Dupuy is not original. He only repeats the statements of his predecessors. America's special role is strongly emphasized and actions are praised American army, which allegedly were of decisive importance and negated the results of the leadership activities of the representatives of the German command. A similar point of view is made in many other works of modern authors
Western and Eastern Front

Dates	Events	Values
1914	The first military actions on the Eastern Front were the Russian offensive in East Prussia and Galicia. East Prussian operation At first it developed successfully for the Russian army. Germany was forced to transfer some troops from the western front, which allowed the French-English army to win the Battle of the Marne River and prevented the fall of Paris.	The 1914 campaign did not bring decisive success to any of the warring parties.
1915	The Western Front stabilized, and positional warfare took place there. The fields of Europe were covered with networks of barbed wire and trenches were cut up. Germany planned to concentrate its forces against Russia in order to defeat it. Germany's spring-summer offensive on the Eastern Front ended in Russia's defeat	Germany's strategic goal - to take Russia out of the war - was not fulfilled
1916	Germany again directed the main blow against France. In February 1916 there were fierce battles near the Verdun fortress. To help its allies, Russia launched an offensive in the South Western Front. On the Caucasian Front, formed in 1915 against Turkey (an ally of Germany), Russian troops carried out a number of successful operations and occupied Trebizond and Erzurum.	In 1916, Germany lost the strategic initiative.
1917 1918	The situation of the Central Powers in 1917 became catastrophic: there were no longer reserves for the army, the scale of hunger, transport devastation and the fuel crisis grew. The Entente countries began to receive significant assistance from the United States (food, industrial goods, and later reinforcements), while simultaneously strengthening the economic blockade of Germany, and their victory, even without offensive operations, was only a matter of time. After conclusion peace treaties With Ukrainian People's Republic , Soviet Russia and Romania and the liquidation of the Eastern Front, Germany was able to concentrate almost all of its forces on the Western Front and try to inflict a decisive defeat on the Anglo-French troops before the main forces of the American army arrived at the front. In March-July the German army undertook powerful offensive in Picardy, Flanders, on the Aisne and Marne rivers, and during fierce battles advanced 40-70 km, but was unable to defeat the enemy or break through the front. Germany's limited human and material resources were depleted during the war. In addition, having occupied vast territories of the former Russian Empire after the signing of the Brest-Litovsk Treaty, the German command, in order to maintain control over them, was forced to leave large forces in the east, which negatively affected the course of hostilities against the Entente	However, when afterOctober revolution The Bolshevik government, which came to power under the slogan of ending the war, concludedDecember 15 a truce with Germany and its allies, the German leadership began to hope for a favorable outcome of the war. The fighting on the Western Front ended after the Compiegne Armistice in November 1918. Germany and its allies were defeated. The final results of the war were summed up by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. In his signing Soviet Russia did not take part

The results of the First World War were the February and October Revolution in Russia November Revolution, which became one of the prerequisites for the Nazis coming to power, who unleashed World War II .

This same war showed that from now on world wars will be total character with the involvement of the entire population and the strain of all the moral, military and economic capabilities of states. And such a war can only end unconditional surrender defeated

Bibliography

1. 
   History of Russia: textbook/A.S. Orlov, V.A. Georgiev, N.G. Georgieva. – M.: TK Velby, Prospekt Publishing House, 2007. – 528 p.
2. 
   Story. Series average professional education" Rostov n/d: Phoenix, 2005 – 480 s

First World War (1914 - 1918)

The Russian Empire collapsed. One of the goals of the war has been achieved.

Chamberlain

The First World War lasted from August 1, 1914 to November 11, 1918. 38 states with a population of 62% of the world took part in it. This war was quite controversial and described extremely contradictorily in modern history. I specifically quoted Chamberlain’s words in the epigraph in order to once again emphasize this inconsistency. A prominent politician in England (Russia's war ally) says that by overthrowing the autocracy in Russia one of the goals of the war has been achieved!

The Balkan countries played a major role in the beginning of the war. They were not independent. On their policies (both foreign and domestic) big influence England provided. Germany had by that time lost its influence in this region, although it controlled Bulgaria for a long time.

• Entente. Russian Empire, France, Great Britain. The allies were the USA, Italy, Romania, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
• Triple Alliance. Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire. Later they were joined by the Bulgarian kingdom, and the coalition became known as the “Quadruple Alliance”.

The following took part in the war: large countries: Austria-Hungary (27 July 1914 - 3 November 1918), Germany (1 August 1914 - 11 November 1918), Turkey (29 October 1914 - 30 October 1918), Bulgaria (14 October 1915 - 29 September 1918). Entente countries and allies: Russia (August 1, 1914 - March 3, 1918), France (August 3, 1914), Belgium (August 3, 1914), Great Britain (August 4, 1914), Italy (May 23, 1915), Romania (August 27, 1916) .

One more important point. Initially, Italy was a member of the Triple Alliance. But after the outbreak of World War I, the Italians declared neutrality.

Causes of the First World War

The main reason for the outbreak of the First World War was the desire of the leading powers, primarily England, France and Austria-Hungary, to redistribute the world. The fact is that colonial system collapsed by the beginning of the 20th century. The leading European countries, which had prospered for years through the exploitation of their colonies, could no longer simply obtain resources by taking them away from Indians, Africans and South Americans. Now resources could only be won from each other. Therefore, contradictions grew:

• Between England and Germany. England sought to prevent Germany from increasing its influence in the Balkans. Germany sought to strengthen itself in the Balkans and the Middle East, and also sought to deprive England of maritime dominance.
• Between Germany and France. France dreamed of regaining the lands of Alsace and Lorraine, which it had lost in the war of 1870-71. France also sought to seize the German Saar coal basin.
• Between Germany and Russia. Germany sought to take Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic states from Russia.
• Between Russia and Austria-Hungary. Controversies arose due to the desire of both countries to influence the Balkans, as well as Russia's desire to subjugate the Bosporus and Dardanelles.

The reason for the start of the war

The reason for the outbreak of the First World War was the events in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina). On June 28, 1914, Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand of the Young Bosnia movement, assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Ferdinand was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, so the resonance of the murder was enormous. This was the pretext for Austria-Hungary to attack Serbia.

The behavior of England is very important here, since Austria-Hungary could not start a war on its own, because this practically guaranteed war throughout Europe. The British at the embassy level convinced Nicholas 2 that Russia should not leave Serbia without help in the event of aggression. But then the entire (I emphasize this) English press wrote that the Serbs were barbarians and Austria-Hungary should not leave the murder of the Archduke unpunished. That is, England did everything to ensure that Austria-Hungary, Germany and Russia did not shy away from war.

Important nuances of the casus belli

In all textbooks we are told that the main and only reason for the outbreak of the First World War was the assassination of the Austrian Archduke. At the same time, they forget to say that the next day, June 29, another significant murder took place. The French politician Jean Jaurès, who actively opposed the war and had great influence in France, was killed. A few weeks before the assassination of the Archduke, there was an attempt on the life of Rasputin, who, like Zhores, was an opponent of the war and had great influence on Nicholas 2. I would also like to note some facts from the fate of the main characters of those days:

• Gavrilo Principin. Died in prison in 1918 from tuberculosis.
• The Russian Ambassador to Serbia is Hartley. In 1914 he died at the Austrian embassy in Serbia, where he came for a reception.
• Colonel Apis, leader of the Black Hand. Shot in 1917.
• In 1917, Hartley’s correspondence with Sozonov (the next Russian ambassador to Serbia) disappeared.

This all indicates that in the events of the day there were a lot of black spots that have not yet been revealed. And this is very important to understand.

England's role in starting the war

At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 2 great powers in continental Europe: Germany and Russia. They did not want to openly fight against each other, since their forces were approximately equal. Therefore, in the “July crisis” of 1914, both sides took a wait-and-see approach. British diplomacy came to the fore. She conveyed her position to Germany through the press and secret diplomacy - in the event of war, England would remain neutral or take Germany's side. Through open diplomacy, Nicholas 2 received the opposite idea that if war broke out, England would take the side of Russia.

It must be clearly understood that one open statement from England that it would not allow war in Europe would be enough for neither Germany nor Russia to even think about anything like that. Naturally, under such conditions, Austria-Hungary would not have dared to attack Serbia. But England, with all its diplomacy, pushed European countries towards war.

Russia before the war

Before the First World War, Russia carried out army reform. In 1907, a reform of the fleet was carried out, and in 1910, a reform of the ground forces. The country increased military spending many times over, and the total peacetime army size was now 2 million. In 1912, Russia adopted a new Field Service Charter. Today it is rightly called the most perfect Charter of its time, since it motivated soldiers and commanders to show personal initiative. Important point! The doctrine of the army of the Russian Empire was offensive.

Despite the fact that there were many positive changes, there were also very serious miscalculations. The main one is the underestimation of the role of artillery in war. As the course of events of the First World War showed, this was a terrible mistake, which clearly showed that at the beginning of the 20th century, Russian generals were seriously behind the times. They lived in the past, when the role of cavalry was important. As a result, 75% of all losses in the First World War were caused by artillery! This is a verdict on the imperial generals.

It is important to note that Russia never completed preparations for war (at the proper level), while Germany completed it in 1914.

The balance of forces and means before and after the war

Artillery

	Number of guns	Of these, heavy guns
Austria-Hungary
Germany

According to the data from the table, it is clear that Germany and Austria-Hungary were many times superior to Russia and France in heavy weapons. Therefore, the balance of power was in favor of the first two countries. Moreover, the Germans, as usual, created an excellent military industry before the war, which produced 250,000 shells daily. By comparison, Britain produced 10,000 shells per month! As they say, feel the difference...

Another example showing the importance of artillery is the battles on the Dunajec Gorlice line (May 1915). In 4 hours, the German army fired 700,000 shells. For comparison, during the entire Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), Germany fired just over 800,000 shells. That is, in 4 hours a little less than during the entire war. The Germans clearly understood that heavy artillery would play a decisive role in the war.

Weapons and military equipment

Production of weapons and equipment during the First World War (thousands of units).

	Strelkovoe	Artillery
Great Britain
TRIPLE ALLIANCE
Germany
Austria-Hungary

This table clearly shows the weakness of the Russian Empire in terms of equipping the army. In all main indicators, Russia is much inferior to Germany, but also inferior to France and Great Britain. Largely because of this, the war turned out to be so difficult for our country.

Number of people (infantry)

Number of fighting infantry (millions of people).

	At the beginning of the war	By the end of the war	Casualties
Great Britain
TRIPLE ALLIANCE
Germany
Austria-Hungary

The table shows that Great Britain made the smallest contribution to the war, both in terms of combatants and deaths. This is logical, since the British did not really participate in major battles. Another example from this table is instructive. All textbooks tell us that Austria-Hungary, due to large losses, could not fight on its own, and it always needed help from Germany. But notice Austria-Hungary and France in the table. The numbers are identical! Just as Germany had to fight for Austria-Hungary, so Russia had to fight for France (it is no coincidence that the Russian army saved Paris from capitulation three times during the First World War).

The table also shows that in fact the war was between Russia and Germany. Both countries lost 4.3 million killed, while Britain, France and Austria-Hungary together lost 3.5 million. The numbers are eloquent. But it turned out that the countries that fought the most and made the most effort in the war ended up with nothing. First, Russia signed the shameful Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, losing many lands. Then Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles, essentially losing its independence.

Progress of the war

Military events of 1914

July 28 Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. This entailed the involvement of the countries of the Triple Alliance, on the one hand, and the Entente, on the other hand, into the war.

Russia entered World War I on August 1, 1914. Nikolai Nikolaevich Romanov (Uncle of Nicholas 2) was appointed Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

In the first days of the war, St. Petersburg was renamed Petrograd. Since the war with Germany began, the capital could not have a name of German origin - “burg”.

Historical reference

German "Schlieffen Plan"

Germany found itself under the threat of war on two fronts: Eastern - with Russia, Western - with France. Then the German command developed the “Schlieffen Plan”, according to which Germany should defeat France in 40 days and then fight with Russia. Why 40 days? The Germans believed that this was exactly what Russia would need to mobilize. Therefore, when Russia mobilizes, France will already be out of the game.

On August 2, 1914, Germany captured Luxembourg, on August 4 they invaded Belgium (a neutral country at that time), and by August 20 Germany reached the borders of France. The implementation of the Schlieffen Plan began. Germany advanced deep into France, but on September 5 it was stopped at the Marne River, where a battle took place in which about 2 million people took part on both sides.

Northwestern Front of Russia in 1914

At the beginning of the war, Russia did something stupid that Germany could not calculate. Nicholas 2 decided to enter the war without fully mobilizing the army. On August 4, Russian troops, under the command of Rennenkampf, launched an offensive in East Prussia (modern Kaliningrad). Samsonov's army was equipped to help her. Initially, the troops acted successfully, and Germany was forced to retreat. As a result, part of the forces of the Western Front was transferred to the Eastern Front. The result - Germany repulsed the Russian offensive in East Prussia (the troops acted disorganized and lacked resources), but as a result the Schlieffen plan failed, and France could not be captured. So, Russia saved Paris, albeit by defeating its 1st and 2nd armies. After this, trench warfare began.

Southwestern Front of Russia

On the southwestern front in August-September, Russia undertook offensive operation to Galicia, which was occupied by the troops of Austria-Hungary. The Galician operation was more successful than the offensive in East Prussia. In this battle, Austria-Hungary suffered a catastrophic defeat. 400 thousand people killed, 100 thousand captured. For comparison, the Russian army lost 150 thousand people killed. After this, Austria-Hungary actually withdrew from the war, since it lost the ability to conduct independent actions. Austria was saved from complete defeat only by the help of Germany, which was forced to transfer additional divisions to Galicia.

The main results of the military campaign of 1914

• Germany failed to implement the Schlieffen plan for lightning war.
• No one managed to gain a decisive advantage. The war turned into a positional one.

Map of military events of 1914-15

Military events of 1915

In 1915, Germany decided to shift the main blow to the eastern front, directing all its forces to the war with Russia, which was the weakest country of the Entente, according to the Germans. It was a strategic plan developed by the commander of the Eastern Front, General von Hindenburg. Russia managed to thwart this plan only at the cost of colossal losses, but at the same time, 1915 turned out to be simply terrible for the empire of Nicholas 2.

Situation on the northwestern front

From January to October, Germany waged an active offensive, as a result of which Russia lost Poland, western Ukraine, part of the Baltic states, and western Belarus. Russia went on the defensive. Russian losses were gigantic:

• Killed and wounded - 850 thousand people
• Captured - 900 thousand people

Russia did not capitulate, but the countries of the Triple Alliance were convinced that Russia would no longer be able to recover from the losses it had suffered.

Germany's successes on this sector of the front led to the fact that on October 14, 1915, Bulgaria entered the First World War (on the side of Germany and Austria-Hungary).

Situation on the southwestern front

The Germans, together with Austria-Hungary, organized the Gorlitsky breakthrough in the spring of 1915, forcing the entire southwestern front of Russia to retreat. Galicia, which was captured in 1914, was completely lost. Germany was able to achieve this advantage thanks to the terrible mistakes of the Russian command, as well as a significant technical advantage. German superiority in technology reached:

• 2.5 times in machine guns.
• 4.5 times in light artillery.
• 40 times in heavy artillery.

It was not possible to withdraw Russia from the war, but the losses on this section of the front were gigantic: 150 thousand killed, 700 thousand wounded, 900 thousand prisoners and 4 million refugees.

Situation on the Western Front

"Everything is calm on the Western Front." This phrase can describe how the war between Germany and France proceeded in 1915. There were sluggish military operations in which no one sought the initiative. Germany implemented plans in Eastern Europe, and England and France calmly mobilized their economy and army, preparing for further war. No one provided any assistance to Russia, although Nicholas 2 repeatedly turned to France, first of all, so that it would take active action on the Western Front. As usual, no one heard him... By the way, this sluggish war on Germany’s western front was perfectly described by Hemingway in the novel “A Farewell to Arms.”

The main result of 1915 was that Germany was unable to bring Russia out of the war, although all efforts were devoted to this. It became obvious that the First World War would drag on for a long time, since during the 1.5 years of the war no one was able to gain an advantage or strategic initiative.

Military events of 1916

"Verdun Meat Grinder"

In February 1916, Germany launched a general offensive against France with the goal of capturing Paris. For this purpose, a campaign was carried out on Verdun, which covered the approaches to the French capital. The battle lasted until the end of 1916. During this time, 2 million people died, for which the battle was called the “Verdun Meat Grinder”. France survived, but again thanks to the fact that Russia came to its rescue, which became more active on the southwestern front.

Events on the southwestern front in 1916

In May 1916, Russian troops went on the offensive, which lasted 2 months. This offensive went down in history under the name “Brusilovsky breakthrough”. This name is due to the fact that the Russian army was commanded by General Brusilov. The breakthrough of the defense in Bukovina (from Lutsk to Chernivtsi) happened on June 5. The Russian army managed not only to break through the defenses, but also to advance into its depths in some places up to 120 kilometers. The losses of the Germans and Austro-Hungarians were catastrophic. 1.5 million dead, wounded and prisoners. The offensive was stopped only by additional German divisions, which were hastily transferred here from Verdun (France) and from Italy.

This offensive of the Russian army was not without a fly in the ointment. As usual, the allies dropped her off. On August 27, 1916, Romania entered the First World War on the side of the Entente. Germany defeated her very quickly. As a result, Romania lost its army, and Russia received an additional 2 thousand kilometers of front.

Events on the Caucasian and Northwestern fronts

Positional battles continued on the Northwestern Front during the spring-autumn period. As for the Caucasian Front, the main events here lasted from the beginning of 1916 to April. During this time, 2 operations were carried out: Erzurmur and Trebizond. According to their results, Erzurum and Trebizond were conquered, respectively.

The result of 1916 in the First World War

• The strategic initiative passed to the side of the Entente.
• The French fortress of Verdun survived thanks to the offensive of the Russian army.
• Romania entered the war on the side of the Entente.
• Russia carried out a powerful offensive - the Brusilov breakthrough.

Military and political events 1917

The year 1917 in the First World War was marked by the fact that the war continued against the backdrop of the revolutionary situation in Russia and Germany, as well as the deterioration economic situation countries Let me give you the example of Russia. During the 3 years of the war, prices for basic products increased on average by 4-4.5 times. Naturally, this caused discontent among the people. Add to this heavy losses and a grueling war - it turns out to be excellent soil for revolutionaries. The situation is similar in Germany.

In 1917, the United States entered the First World War. The position of the Triple Alliance is deteriorating. Germany and its allies cannot effectively fight on 2 fronts, as a result of which it goes on the defensive.

The end of the war for Russia

In the spring of 1917, Germany launched another offensive on the Western Front. Despite the events in Russia, Western countries demanded that the Provisional Government implement the agreements signed by the Empire and send troops on the offensive. As a result, on June 16, the Russian army went on the offensive in the Lvov area. Again, we saved the allies from major battles, but they themselves were completely set up.

The Russian army, exhausted by the war and losses, did not want to fight. The issues of food, uniforms and supplies during the war years were never resolved. The army fought reluctantly, but moved forward. The Germans were forced to transfer troops here again, and Russia's Entente allies again isolated themselves, watching what would happen next. On July 6, Germany launched a counteroffensive. As a result, 150,000 Russian soldiers died. The army virtually ceased to exist. The front fell apart. Russia could no longer fight, and this catastrophe was inevitable.

People demanded Russia's withdrawal from the war. And this was one of their main demands from the Bolsheviks, who seized power in October 1917. Initially, at the 2nd Party Congress, the Bolsheviks signed the decree “On Peace,” essentially proclaiming Russia’s exit from the war, and on March 3, 1918, they signed the Brest-Litovsk Peace Treaty. The conditions of this world were as follows:

• Russia makes peace with Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey.
• Russia is losing Poland, Ukraine, Finland, part of Belarus and the Baltic states.
• Russia cedes Batum, Kars and Ardagan to Turkey.

As a result of its participation in the First World War, Russia lost: about 1 million square meters territory, approximately 1/4 of the population, 1/4 of arable land and 3/4 of the coal and metallurgical industries were lost.

Historical reference

Events in the war in 1918

Germany got rid of the Eastern Front and the need to wage war on two fronts. As a result, in the spring and summer of 1918, she attempted an offensive on the Western Front, but this offensive had no success. Moreover, as it progressed, it became obvious that Germany was getting the most out of itself, and that it needed a break in the war.

Autumn 1918

The decisive events in the First World War took place in the fall. The Entente countries, together with the United States, went on the offensive. The German army was completely driven out of France and Belgium. In October, Austria-Hungary, Turkey and Bulgaria concluded a truce with the Entente, and Germany was left to fight alone. Her situation was hopeless after the German allies in the Triple Alliance essentially capitulated. This resulted in the same thing that happened in Russia - a revolution. On November 9, 1918, Emperor Wilhelm II was overthrown.

End of the First World War

On November 11, 1918, the First World War of 1914-1918 ended. Germany signed a complete surrender. It happened near Paris, in the Compiègne forest, at the Retonde station. The French accepted the surrender Marshal Foch. The terms of the signed peace were as follows:

• Germany admits complete defeat in the war.
• The return of the province of Alsace and Lorraine to France to the borders of 1870, as well as the transfer of the Saar coal basin.
• Germany lost all its colonial possessions, and was also obliged to transfer 1/8 of its territory to its geographical neighbors.
• For 15 years, Entente troops were on the left bank of the Rhine.
• By May 1, 1921, Germany had to pay members of the Entente (Russia was not entitled to anything) 20 billion marks in gold, goods, securities and so on.
• Germany must pay reparations for 30 years, and the amount of these reparations is determined by the winners themselves and can be increased at any time during these 30 years.
• Germany was prohibited from having an army of more than 100 thousand people, and the army had to be exclusively voluntary.

The terms of the “peace” were so humiliating for Germany that the country actually became a puppet. Therefore, many people of that time said that although the First World War ended, it did not end in peace, but in a truce for 30 years. That’s how it ultimately turned out...

Results of the First World War

The First World War was fought on the territory of 14 states. Countries with a total population of over 1 billion people took part in it (this is approximately 62% of the entire world population at that time). In total, 74 million people were mobilized by the participating countries, of whom 10 million died and another 20 million were injured.

As a result of the war political map Europe has changed significantly. Such independent states as Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Albania appeared. Austria-Hungary split into Austria, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Romania, Greece, France, and Italy have increased their borders. There were 5 countries that lost and lost territory: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Turkey and Russia.

Map of the First World War 1914-1918

Help me answer please! Why the war of 1914-1918 called the Great, Great, First World War? and got the best answer

Answer from Elena Polishchuk[newbie]
This war was called the First World War because all countries took part in it, even those that were not part of the military-political blocs, and after its end, as a result of the Versailles Peace Treaty, many countries replenished their resources and embarked on the path of economic development

Answer from Nolkhan Aliyev[guru]
It is called that because 38 countries out of 59 independent states that existed in the world at that time formally participated in it (there are now 192 members of the UN). But in reality the Entente countries (France, Russia, England + Italy) fought against the countries of the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire).
World War I destroyed the old one feudal Europe. Three main European monarchies died - German, Russian, Austro-Hungarian. The machine guns of World War I not only mowed down the flower of the European nobility - the very principle of CLASS society rotted in the trenches, was killed, and was eaten by lice. It was replaced by a new society - MASS. The aristocracy was, first of all, a MILITARY (guards) caste - and this caste died “along with the cavalry.” Construction has begun in Europe new army- without the nobility, and when this load-bearing support was taken out, all the other aristocratic decorations collapsed. This did not happen in one day - almost the entire 20th century took for Europe to emerge from class Europe. mass society, and then today’s POLITICALLY CORRECT Europe. But Christian-aristocratic Europe received its first mortal wound (more precisely, it inflicted it upon itself!) precisely in 1914.
World War I became the highest point of the imperialist division of the world. One of the reasons for the war was considered to be Germany's desire to redistribute the colonies. As a result, all the colonies were taken away from the losing Germany, and England and France also divided the dead carcass Ottoman Empire in the Middle East.
So, the ENTIRE political history of Europe to this day is the consequence of World War I.
This is an infrequent war in which there are OBVIOUSLY no winners. Germany, Austria-Hungary - lost. The Russian Empire perished from military overexertion and exhaustion (“the Russian cruiser sank when the harbor was already visible” - Churchill). England and France dragged themselves to their Victory - and collapsed. They were morally broken by this massacre, their elites were drained of blood and lost their sense of moral rightness... Trophies - unnecessary colonies, meaningless reparations from Germany - looked like a MOCKEY. The uninvolved won - the United States, which came to Europe for the first time, as well as the Russian Bolsheviks, who came to power... This “defeat in victory” changed the militant psychology of the ruling classes of Europe - something broke in them. They “vomited in victory.” The paralyzing fear of war led to the fact that in 1939-1940. when they simply COULD NOT bring themselves to REALLY fight Hitler...
The history of “warlike Europe” is over. The history of “peace-loving Europe” has begun.

Answer from Yoza Kaf[newbie]
It is called that because 38 countries formally participated in it.

Answer from 2 answers[guru]

Hello! Here is a selection of topics with answers to your question: Help me answer, please! Why the war of 1914-1918 called the Great, Great, First World War?

1914 SECOND PATRIOTIC WAR - This is what contemporaries called the First World War... WHO and why CHANGED this NAME? The Past of the Once Global World..WHAT DO WE EVEN KNOW about our PRESENT HISTORY?

THE ROYAL WORD TO THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE AND MILITARY!
SECOND PATRIOTIC WAR
Our great mother Rus' greeted the news of the declaration of war on us with calmness and dignity. I am convinced that with the same sense of calm we will bring the war, whatever it may be, to the end.
I here solemnly declare that I will not make peace until the last enemy warrior leaves our land. And to you, the representatives of the dear troops of the Guard and the St. Petersburg Military District gathered here, in your person, I appeal to all the only begotten, unanimous my army is strong, like a granite wall, and I bless it for its military work.