The Three Major Historical Developments Of 1914

We learned about World War 1, World War 2, the Cold War, the global south, and global challenges. While learning about these wars and challenges of the south, World War 1, World War 2, and the Cold War really stood out as major historical developments since 1914. These three wars are linked in many different ways. Each one has left turmoil behind and economic distain, leading up to another war. The wars listed in order of importance would be, World War 1, World War 2, and the Cold War.

World War 1, also known as the Great War, was the first war to have many countries involved. It had devastating effects on society and the economy of every country involved. America and others have never before seen such destruction with technology until the first Great War. World War 1 was provoked with the assassination of Franz Ferdinand. With Franz’s assassination, a series of events unfolded. “Austria-Hungary along with many other countries around the world, blamed the Serbian government for the attack, hoping to use the incident for justification and settling the question of Serbian nationalism” (History, 2019). Russia supported Serbia during this trying time, waiting for Austria-Hungary to declare war.

When World War 1 began, trench warfare was a major fighting tactic during world war 1. According to The Guardian, “Early trenches were basic: a collection of dugouts and foxholes in which infantry could take over”. They soon became more complex, reaching up to 15 to16 feet deep and 6 feet wide. Connecting to each other by neighboring trenches (The Guardian, 2014). The German army had the advantage of choosing location they wanted to defend, usually choosing land less susceptible to flooding. “Allied trenches were usually 6 to 10 feet deep and 6 feet wide. They were built in a zigzag pattern, so if an enemy assault successfully penetrated the trench, they could not shoot directly down it” (The Guardian, 2014).

Trench warfare from world war 1 carried out to world war 2. Trenches were used very little in world war 2, but still relevant. World War 1 warfare was very brutal as we can see from pictures taken from The Atlantic. Trenches were essentially a “trap” when it came to mustard gas. The very thing troops put such grueling labor into, sacrificing limbs, health, and their lives, only became their graves.

New technology was created during world war 1 as well. Airplanes were products and made primarily of canvas, wood, and wire. They were used to observe enemy troops but were not able to defend themselves since enemy troops can shoot them down from the ground. Tanks were also a big technological advancement. Tanks were great until they were taken to trench warfare and became stuck in the ditches, unable to get out. Tanks became more useful in world war 2 once trench warfare died out. Poisonous gas was the most deadly and inhuman of all technology of World War 1. Gas would kill enemy troops within minutes or seconds, burning individuals alive inside and out. The mixture of gas and trench warfare became an inhumane war tactic. Gas was used throughout world war 1 and transferred over to world war 2 when Hitler’s rein grew.

World war 1 is listed as the most important because the new technology was made during this war and transferred over to world war 2. “The devastation left behind by World War 1 had disabled Europe. World war 2 grew out of issues left unresolved from the Great War. The political and economic instabilities in Germany fueled Adolf Hitler’s rise to power and his socialist followers” (History, 2019). The uprising of Hitler and his Nazi followers became a historical rule, one that is known for the worst of reasons.

Throughout class we looked through Nazi propaganda and the socialist control. Through pictures and posters, we can see how society was changed and influenced. Warfare called for desperate measures, animals became an aid for the military, supplying bandages, messages, and food throughout war. Families are told to grow their own food and have enough supplies for the winter months since the economy is at an all-time low. Rags were precious and salvaged to fix worn out clothes since new clothes are unavailable due to limited resources. Evidence for these struggles are found on posters that were hung up in cities and towns.

Propaganda is a very important factor when talking about World War 2 because many videos and posters were made to change the mindset of individuals. The Nazi group created a video, depicting Adolf Hitler in a god-like fashion, the towns people screaming with joy at his presence. Imagery and video such as this is to create an image of Hitler that was more angelic than he really was. This could change people to follow Hitler’s views and follow the Nazi rule. That is why propaganda was such a relic in war time.

“World War 2 proved to be the most destructive and devasting of international conflicts. With nuclear warfare and war itself, the death toll was up to 35 to 60 million, including the 6 million Jews who died at the hands of Nazi soldiers and camps” (History, 2019). Millions of people were injured and in a state of loss. The war raged on and communist rule from the Soviet Union, spread into Eastern Europe and China. With Europe, the United States, and the Soviet Union all competing near the end of the war, the great race for space, better technology, and nuclear warfare began to emerge in the Cold War.

During World War 2, the United States and the Soviet Union fought together against the enemy powers. But the relationship between the two became tense. America has steered away from the Soviet communism and was more concerned about Russia’s leader. Eventually, the Cold War began. The rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union became so tedious, that household items were used to show off against each other. This rivalry lasted for decades and was strong rivalry at that. This led the two powers to the brink on nuclear war.

When World War 2 ended, American officials made an agreement that the best defense against the Soviets would be to keep watch and import the “duck and cover” strategy into American schools since there was no other known means of protection outside of fallout shelters. Nuclear threats became too real and with the testing of nuclear bombs, the threats became more haunting. Truman and the American government decided that the “duck and cover” strategy would ease the mind of families.

One major historical technology would be the creation of bigger atomic weapons. “In 1949, the Soviets tested their atom bomb, in response to this, Truman declared they would make an even bigger atom bomb, Stalin following suit”. (History, 2019). With each country trying to one up each other, the race for better technology and the introduction to space became an all-out competition war.

The Soviet Union fell apart by 1991 and the Cold War came to an end. Political and economic problems became the flame that burned down the Soviet Union’s connections and power. Another cause to the Soviet’s downfall was over consumption of goods. The United States knew that if they didn’t find ways to save food, clothes, and materials, they would soon lose economically. Blue jeans became a money saver since they were easy to patch and cheaper. Blue jeans were seen on “poor” individuals, even though the wealthy also wore them. The saving of materials helped the Unite States to stay in the war while over consumption weakened the Soviet Union.

Throughout these three wars, technology, warfare, economic, and political factors have been passed down since World War 1. Technology that was made in WW1 has been modified and upgraded for WW2. The Cold War then used these upgraded weapons and made their own, such as a bigger nuclear bomb. These wars have changed society, economics, and warfare itself. Nuclear warfare is something countries have agreed to not partake in since the outcome is so disastrous. Each war is connected and has led up to where we are today. The possibility of a third world war doesn’t seem like it will be any time soon, and hopefully it stays that way.