Chapter 20

In what ways did World War I mark new departures in the history of the 20^th century?

The destruction of life and property brought by the war led to widespread disappointment among European intellectuals with their own civilization. Also, the political map of Europe was radically altered with the collapse of the German, Russian, and Austrian empires; this created space for new nations in Central Europe. In addition, in Russia, the strains of war triggered a vast revolutionary upheaval that launched world communism. Moreover, the treaty of Versailles brought the war to a close—established the conditions that generated the Second World War.

World War I also led to the creation of new military tactics and weapons—Trench Warfare, use of propaganda, use of planes, tanks, and submarines. There were also social changes—women began to work in ammunition factories and the women suffrage movement came to a halt temporarly.