The First World War and its Impact on England

 

The First World War and its Impact on England

The Austrian prince was assassinated by a Serb. It provoked the First World War (1914 – 1918). All the major countries of the world had been divided into two groups. England joined with Russia and France. Germany supported Austria. Austria declared war on Serbia. Russia supported Serbia. Germany declared war on Russia and its ally France. England entered the war by helping Belgium’s resistance to the German move to pass its army through Belgium.

     The war went on for four years. Germany launched a submarine attack on England and its allies. A few American ships were attacked. In the meantime, Russia withdrew from the war as it had to tackle the Communist Revolution led by Lenin that had broken out within the country.

Germany faced some unexpected problems. Its allies, Austria and Turkey deserted Germany. The Germany navy mutinied. The German king, Kaiser William abdicated and ran away from the country. The German army was routed. The Treaty of Versailles was signed. This treaty set up the League of Nations to prevent future wars. America generously came forward to finance League of Nations. America offered to rebuild the shattered economies of the affected nations, including England.

The First World War had a destructive impact on the English economy. The unemployment problem became severe. The soldiers returning home after the war could not be given alternate jobs. The price of commodities rose up because of restrictions on imports and the fall in production. The war demoralized society. Age-old morals were shaken up.