World Wars History
Introduction:
We always want to
have peace in this world. We want to preserve it. I know that. You know that.
We always tend to unify our world. It is a hard task. Mankind is not perfect
and therefore we sin. Sometimes because of sin, people tend to fight each
other. We have this so called “dog eats dog” policy in our society. That is why
wars are started. Wars kill. Wars could conquer. But many lives are lost. Wars,
in any kind, are devastating. However there are these kinds of wars that are
really frightening. These are the World Wars. It gulps up the entire world to
war and therefore many lives were lost and many structures were devastated
because of these massive wars. Soldiers during World War 1 and World War 2 used
advanced weaponry like guns, cannons, explosives, bombs, etc. That is why the
World Wars are so devastating.
In my
research, I will show a brief history of both World War 1 and World War 2 and
also the effect of the World Wars to the world. I will show the casualty rates
and the amount of money spent by the United States for military purposes.
Thank you
for reading my research paper and I hope this research paper will benefit you
for your research about the World Wars.
1On
June 28, 1914, Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated.
He was murdered at Sarajevo. The assassin was Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian
terrorist. For many years Serbia and Austria-Hungary had been unfriendly.
The
assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary probably started
a small war at first. However, some world powers like Germany and Great Britain
joined this war and grew larger.
War Declared
2Austria-Hungary
now decided to use the assassination as an excuse to settle its quarrel with
Serbia. It was backed by Germany. On July 23, Austria presented a warlike
ultimatum to Serbia, allowing only 48 hours for an answer. Serbia suggested
that some of Austria’s demands be referred to the other European powers.
Austria refused. On July 28, it declared war on Serbia.
This is the true start of World War 1. At first, only
Serbia and Austria-Hungary were the only nations who were involved in this war.
But Austria-Hungary was backed by Germany, a world power.
England Declares War
3 England and Germany had been growing
more and more unfriendly before 1914. Germany claimed that England was trying
to keep it from becoming a world power. With the start of the war Germany made
clear that it planned to invade France through Belgium. Britain had signed a
treaty guaranteeing the independence and neutrality of Belgium. On August 4
Britain declared war on Germany to protect Belgium’s neutrality. The rest of the
British Empire immediately prepared to send troops.
This is the start of the war between the two world
powers. This made the war grow larger because both of them used devastating
weapons.
4 Many Italians favored joining the Allies.
This would help Italy to get territories in Austria-Hungary in which people in
Italian nationality lived.
During World War 1, Italy joined the allies.
However, this is untrue during World War 2, because Italy joined the Axis Powers.
This is a
list of the countries that are involved in World War 1.
Germany
Austria-Hungary
Turkey
Bulgaria.
Serbia,
Belgium
Russia
France
Great Britain
Japan
Portugal
Montenegro
Italy
San Marino
Romania
Greece
the United States
Brazil
Cuba
Panama
Haiti
Guatemala
Honduras
Costa Rica
Nicaragua
Liberia
China
Siam
Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and
Uruguay broke off diplomatic relations with Germany.
6 World War
1 grew into the greatest war the world had ever seen. The amount of money spent
was enormous. The direct cost of the war was about 200 billion dollars. The
United States alone spent as much money as it did on all expenses of the
government from 1791 to 1914.
More than 65 million men were mobilized for
the armies and navies. Over 8 million lost their lives, and more than 21
million were wounded. Civilian populations worked as never before to produce
enormous quantities of guns, munitions, and other supplies. Civilians also
suffered more than in any previous war. Because they played such an important
part, this was called “total war”.
Civilians
played a really important role here because without them, the casualty rate for
the soldiers might be higher. The civilians prepared all the equipment for the
soldiers. They also produced more food and clothing for them.
7
During the Somme offensive the British introduced an armored vehicle with
caterpillar treads. The machine had been developed secretly. Different parts
were made in different factories.
Some
parts, which looked like they could be used to make containers for liquids,
were called tanks by the workers. Tank came to be used as a code name during
the weapon’s development and later became its permanent name.
The
tank is one of the most devastating war machines ever made especially during
World War 2 when they were mounted with cannons, which can blast away thick
concrete walls.
8
The first military use of airplanes occurred during World War 1. At first
they were used for observation. Like balloons, they took pictures of enemy
positions. Then they were mounted with machine guns to shoot down enemies.
The
plane is a tactical war machine because it flies and you have an advantage if
you attack from above.
Ships
9
Ships were needed to send men, ammunition, and food overseas. The U.S Shipping
Board ordered ships in great numbers. The world’s greatest shipyard was built
near Philadelphia.
Ships played a major role because they ship supplies for the soldiers
and they also send troops by using ships. Ships can also be used for naval
battles.
Any
country, which originated a war, could fall into the hands of its enemies. This
is true for the Germans during World War 1. Germany backed up Austria-Hungary,
which was the enemy of Serbia. Great Britain and Germany became enemies and
Great Britain declared war on Germany. The Allies backed up Great Britain (see Countries at War). War became confusing, way too
confusing. Well that’s war.
10 Germany’s
home front collapsed as its armies retreated on all battlefronts. On October 3
the German rulers requested an armistice. While the allies were
discussing terms, mutiny broke out in the German fleet at Kiel. It spread to
Hamburg and Bremen.
The Independent Socialists in Berlin now refused to
support the government any longer. Rulers of the Kingdoms of Bavaria and
Wurttemburg abdicated. The German Kaiser himself abdicated at Spa on November 9
and fled to The Netherlands.
A
temporary government was formed at Berlin. This government arranged for a
national convention to be held at Weimar to form a republic.
The
armistice terms were now ready, and Germans were called to receive them. A
delegation crossed the lines and was taken to Marshal Foch’s railroad traveling
car headquarters near Compiegne. At daybreak on November 11, the Germans signed
a general armistice. Six hours later, at 11:00 a.m, the guns stopped firing.
So Germany
became a weaker nation after the first World War. Why? Because first of all
many Germans were lost during the battle. Second, the troops withdrew and
surrendered. The weapons were also surrendered. These included 5,000 cannons,
25,000 machine guns, 5,000 locomotives, and 150,000 railroad cars. Thirdly,
they promised to pay reparations for the war damage they have made.
These are the probable causes for igniting World War 1.
1.) 11 The German
victory over France in the war of 1870-1871 may be considered a cause of World
War 1, in as much as the newly constituted German Empire sought allies to
forestall a French attempt to reverse that decision.
2.) The assassination of Archduke Francis
Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. This ignited Austria-Hungary to declare war with
Serbia. Germany backed up Austria-Hungary. Great Britain and Germany became
enemies. Makes sense to me.
3.) 12 Protracted
and bloody fighting on the Eastern Front destroyed Russian morale and prepared
the country for the two revolutions of 1917.
Remember, Russia’s on our side before. This intensified
World War 1.
4.) Intense nationalism by the European people.
13 The
United States was a neutral nation when World War 1 started in 1914. It was an
American tradition that the wars of Europe were not the business of the U.S.
14 Events
soon brought a change in the attitude of the United States toward the war.
Germany’s actions caused this change. Most Americans objected to Germany’s
violation of Belgian neutrality. Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare was a
violation of international law.
About the submarines, I think the Germans
here are a little sneaky. Do you know why the Germans use submarines?
Submarines can be submerged underwater. Of course when you are underwater, you
have stealth because it is hard for your enemies to see you when you are
underwater. Now that’s tactical advantage.
15 Acts of
German sabotage in the U.S and the use of poison gas in warfare also helped to
change American public opinion. Americans soon came to believe that democratic
government would be unsafe if Germany won the war.
Another
tactical advantage of the German Army is the use of poison gas. These killed
more enemy troops. One of the deadly poison gas used was the mustard gas.
16 Major
General John J. Pershing was made commander in chief of the American
Expeditionary Forces (AEF) on May 26, 1917. He also landed in France in June.
Pershing told the United States War Department soon after his arrival that
America should try to have an army of one million men in France by the
following May. He also urged that the AEF should in time grow to from 3 to 4
million men.
17 Nearly 3
million men were taken into military service under the Selective Service Act,
also called Conscription. This act had been passed on May 18, 1917. Of the 93
combat divisions, which were organized, 42 reached France and 30 saw combat
service.
World Wars
really needed vast number of troops. That’s why these are called World Wars
because there are so many countries involved and many soldiers fought each
other. The weapons are also devastating.
France
during World War 1 was also a powerful nation because French people are
nationalistic. 18 The French Revolution and the Napoleonic era had spread
throughout most of Europe the idea of political democracy, with the resulting
idea that people of the same ethnic origin, language, and political ideals had
the right to independent states.
19 The servicemen needed
clothing, food, and weapons. They also needed proper medical attention in camp
and overseas. To meet all these needs, the Council of National Defense set up
the War Industries Board in the summer of 1917. The food administration urged
greater production of food. It also taught the civilian population to go
without sugar, wheat, flour, meats, and fats. These foods were shipped
overseas. The Fuel Administration stimulated coal production and restricted its
use.
Well, the
Americans are really disciplined when it comes to war. The civilian population
sacrificed their food for the soldiers abroad. That’s true unity. Sometimes at
war, we are more united than usual because we need unity when there’s war. Making
war is easy, fighting it is hard. Many people are killed because of wars.
Many lost their limbs because of land mines, bombs, guns, and other weapons.
Many became homeless and many structures were destroyed. In short, it’s a waste
to have war.
The
Americans did not really want to join the war in Europe. However, the Germans
forced them to join the war because of their aggressive acts against other
European countries. They used poison gas and submarines for warfare. There were
also acts of German sabotage in the United States. So these things forced them
to fight the war. The Americans were also afraid that the American democratic
government would be unsafe if Germany won the war.
Other
countries in South America broke contact with Germany like Bolivia, Ecuador,
Peru, and Uruguay.
Please refer to the Works Cited section for
references.
20
Spike-helmeted German soldiers fire a machine gun from behind a defensive
shield while standing in a trench. One soldier feeds the ammunition into the
gun, while another aims and shoots
21 American
troops in France charge into battle from the trenches across barbed wire
barricades and into the no-man’s land between them and the German army. Trench
warfare was the main feature of World War 1.
The
trenches serve as a protection for the soldiers. They may hide in the trencher
when there’s incoming enemy fire. However, when the Germans created the mustard
gas, the trenches became somehow useless because they’ll be poisoned anyways
whether there’s a trench or not. But trenches can protect.
22 French
cavalry troops pass by a cathedral at Albert, France, virtually destroyed by
artillery fire. Many of France’s architectural masterpieces in the war zone
were damaged. Some, like Rheims cathedral, were successfully rebuilt and now
show few aftereffects of the war.
23 Shortages
of adequate transport were often a problem during World War 1.
The large numbers of American
troops arriving in France often had to be transported by rail in uncomfortable
box cars. Later in the war the Americans had their own army trucks brought from
the United States.
24 Americans killed in battle, dead of
wounds, or declared dead numbered 53,407.
25 Illness and other causes brought the
total number of deaths to about 126,000.
26 By June 30,1919, the government had spent
$27,729,000,000 directly for war.
27
The number of casualties in Stalingrad was about 312,000.
28 The Somme battle had about 1,100,000
casualties.
World War
2 became more devastating than World War 1 because of more devastating weapons
and more nations were involved. This included Asia because of the participation
of Japan to the Central Powers. Italy also joined the Centrals powers together
with Germany. I will now tell you all about what happened during World War 2.
29 On
September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. On September 3, England and France
demanded that Germany withdraw its troops. When Germany refused England and
France declared war on Germany.
30 Germany
seized Austria and most of Czechoslovakia undeterred, but its attacks on Poland
on September 1, 1939, caused Great Britain and France to declare war. On June
1940, Italy under Mussolini entered the war on Germany’s side, and later that
month the French government capitulated.
Germany
was under Hitler’s rule back then. Italy was under Mussolini, an Italian
dictator. They were the ones who ignited World War 2 in Europe. Germany used
the blitzkrieg, or lightning war, by which they quickly overran Europe. German
panzer divisions attacked the defenseless Poland, thus starting World War 2.
31 The
United States had protested the actions of these countries. England and France,
however, agreed to let the German dictator Adolf Hitler and the Italian
dictator Benito Mussolini take the territories they wanted. The British and
French hoped this policy of appeasement would prevent another war.
32On
September 30, 1938, Britain and France agreed in Munich to let Germany have a
part of Czechoslovakia. Hitler said this would be his last territorial demand
in Europe. In March 1939, Hitler broke this pact, taking over Prague. This
ended the British and French policy of appeasement.
33The Poles
were easily defeated by Germany’s blitzkrieg, or “lightning war.” The first day
the German Luftwaffe (air force) destroyed Poland’s airfields and bases. Within
a week, it had crippled the lines of communication. At the same time German
Panzer divisions encircled the Polish armies. The Germans then concentrated
their attack on the main Polish forces around Warsaw.
The
blitzkrieg is one of the most feared tactics of all. This tactic devastated
Poland in a matter of weeks. The Luftwaffe is considered one of the best air
force during World War 2.
34
Anglo-American military operations on Sicily and the Italian mainland caused
the fall of Mussolini’s Fascist regime in July 1943.
35 Japan
began its Far Eastern expansion in 1931, and Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party achieved
power in Germany in 1933.
Remember that Japan joined the side of the
Germans, which means, enemies of the Allies.
36 Japan’s
air raid on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec 7, 1941 brought the U.S into the war
against Germany, Italy, and Japan.
This
started the war between the Americans and the Japanese.
37 On June
6, 1944 (D-Day), British, Canadian, and U.S forces invaded German-occupied
Normandy opening the Second Front that resulted in the German surrender on May
8, 1945.
The D-Day
is a famous event during World War 2. This is the day were the Allies invaded
Normandy, which was invaded by Germany. Normandy is in France. The Allies
combined forces, thus crippling Germany and also Italy.
Japan also
was a tough enemy of the Allies. Japan invaded most of Asia, including the
Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Manchuria, etc. The war started in Asia when
Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Pearl Harbor served as a
munitions base for the United States. Their naval forces are in Pearl Harbor.
The United States also has a base here in the Philippines, in Subic Bay. Subic
was also bombed by the Japanese. Many people died during the bombings in Pearl
Harbor and Subic Bay.
The Battle
of Bataan was one of the most fiercest battles here in the Philippines. Heavy
bombings by the Japanese where initiated. Many lives were lost. Bataan fell on
April 9, 1942 to Japan. Then “Death March” came. It started from Mariveles,
Bataan up to San Fernando, Pampanga. The people who were captured by the
Japanese were in this “Death March”. The Japanese did not feed them. When one
of the soldiers stumble to the ground, they either shoot them or skewer them
with the bayonet. The Japanese were brutal. They even kill babies with their
bayonets.
Japan also
had defeats during World War 2. This includes the Battle of Midway and the
Battle of Guadalcanal.
Japan
finally surrendered on September 2, 1945 when the Americans devastated Nagasaki
and Hiroshima with atomic bombs.
This is a poem which was made by a “Prisoner-of-War”
in Mukden, Manchuria after the Bataan Death March. You can reprint this poem if
you like but please indicate the name of the author.
38The Bataan Death March
By Jesse
Knowles
Strange things were done under the tropic sun
By the men in Khaki twill
Those tropic nights have seen some sights
That would make your heart stand still
Those mountain trails could spin some tales
That no man would ever like
But the worst of all was after the fall
When we started on that hike
T'was the 7th of December in '41
When they hit Hawaii as the day begun
T'was a Sunday morning and all was calm
When out of nowhere there came the bombs
It didn't last long but the damage was done
America was at war with the rising sun
Now over in the Philippines we heard the news
And it shook every man clean down to his shoes
It seemed like a dream to begin
But soon every soldier was a fighting man
Each branch was ready to do its part
Artillery, infantry, Nichols and Clark
And then they came on that Monday noon
They hit Clark field like a typhoon
That Monday night the moon was clear
They razed Nichols from front to rear
As the days went by more bombers came
And soon only a few P-40's remained
Then the orders came and said retreat
That no man would be seen on the city streets
So across the bay we moved at night
Away from Manila and out of sight
Deep into the jungles of Bataan
Where 15,000 were to make a stand
Here we fought as a soldier should
As the days went by we spilled our blood
Tho' the rumors came and went by night
That convoy never came in sight
April 7th was a fatal day
When the word went around that we couldn't stay
That the front line was due to fall
So the troops moved back one and all
The very next day the surrender came
Then we were men without a name
You may think here's Where the story ends
But actually here's where it begins
Tho' we fought and didn't see victory
The story of that march will go down in history
We marched along in columns of four
Living and seeing the horrors of war
And when a man fell along the way
A cold bayonet would make him pay
For those four months he fought on bataan
Then they'd kill him 'cause he couldn't stand
The tropic sun would sweat us dry
For the pumps were few that we passed by
But on we marched to a place unknown
A place to rest and a place to call home
Home not that you might know
But home to man that suffered a blow
Then to O'Donnell Camp en masse
Some never back thru' those gates to pass
In Nipa huts we lived like beast
Bad rice and camotes were called a feast
Our minds went back to days gone by
When our throats were never dry
Of our wives, our mothers, and friends
Of our by-gone days and our many sins
And about four thousand passed away
And how many more no man can say
For no tomb stone marks the spot
Where thirty to fifty were buried in lot
Piled together as a rubbish heap
The remains of men
Who were forced to retreat
Now I want to state and my words are straight
And I bet you think they're true
That if you gotta die it's better to try
And take them with you too
It's they that took us that fatal day
It's they that made us pay and pay
It's they that counted us morn and night
It's they that again we wanted to fight
It's they that made us as we are
But it's not they that'll win this war
For the men in khaki will come some day
And take us back to the U.S.A.
This is a wonderful poem made by Jesse Knowles. I
really liked the poem because it reminds us of what happened during the Bataan
Death March, and also what happened during the war in the Pacific. It states
that many people died bravely. They died for their country and they died with
honor. I salute these men.
1
Compton’s Encyclopedia vol.25 p.302
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Encyclopedia Britannica Index p.752
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Encyclopedia Britannica Index p.752
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Microsoft Encarta 98 Section: World War 1-Nationalism
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Compton’s Encyclopedia vol.25 p.313
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Compton’s Encyclopedia vol.25 p.322
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Encyclopedia Britannica Index p.752
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Compton’s Encyclopedia vol.25 p.322
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Compton’s Encyclopedia vol.25 p.322
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Compton’s Encyclopedia vol.25 p.322
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Encyclopedia Britannica Index p.753
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Encyclopedia Britannica Index p.753
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Encyclopedia Britannica Index p.753
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Encyclopedia Britannica Index p.753
38 www.cpsb.org/reources/HSSocialStudies/bataan_death_march.html
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