World War I

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World War I

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Chamberlain University

HIST405N

Dr. Powell

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Introduction

 

World War I was an international struggle that broke out in 1914 and lasted for four years, wreaking havoc on a number of countries in Europe and beyond. It was brought on by an intricate web of alliances and rivalries between significant European countries, and whether the conflict in 1914 was inescapable is still up for dispute (Corbett et al., 2019). This paper will examine the causes of World War I, evaluate the U.S.’s neutrality during the conflict, examine the Treaty of Versailles, and decide whether the U.S. Senate should have accepted the Treaty.

Paragraph 1 – Origins of World War I

 

The intricate alliances and rivalries between the major European countries in the 19th century were the precursors of World War I. Underlying tensions between the Triple Entente of Britain, France, and Russia and the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy led to a succession of crises and errors that ultimately resulted in war in July 1914. By this time, both sides had accepted that war was inevitable and were taking steps to get ready for it, leading to the escalation of hostilities (Corbett et al., 2019). Whether World War I was inevitable in 1914 is difficult to say; Although events like the murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand undoubtedly contributed to the outbreak of war, underlying tensions between the continent’s major powers had been escalating for years and made conflict inevitable.

Paragraph 2 – United States Neutrality

 

The development of nationalism in Europe and the fall of the Ottoman Empire are considered to be the primary causes of World War I. European countries attempted to increase their political and military sway over the world in the late nineteenth century. As a result, there was an increase in the struggle for resources and influence, which finally resulted in alliances being formed and wars between the great countries. Among them, the Triple Alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy was the most significant. The Triple Entente made up of France, Great Britain, and Russia, fought back against this. The 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary served as the ignition source for the powder keg (Yonkman, 2021). This served as Austria-Hungary’s justification for attacking Serbia, which resulted in the involvement of the other major powers.

It was not inevitable that World War I would start in 1914. The struggle for resources, the rise of nationalism, and the forging of alliances were some of the elements that led to it. The diplomatic failings of the European countries, such as their inability to amicably resolve the conflict between Serbia and Austria-Hungary, also played a role in the start of the war. If different diplomatic tactics had been used, the conflict might have been avoided, although this is difficult to say. In the end, more than any single issue, a number of variables contributed to the start of World War I.

Paragraph 3 – United States Entry to World War I.

Some people argued that the United States choice to join globe War I was essential to ensuring that the globe was safe for democracy. When the U.S. entered the conflict, the Entente Powers had been battling the Central Powers for three years and were finding it difficult to advance. Because of the U.S.’s robust economy and military, it was believed that their entry would assist the Entente in winning the war (Yonkman, 2021). Although it is hard to tell what would have happened if the U.S. had not intervened, it is likely that their involvement helped to put an end to the conflict and, in the end, safeguard democratic values throughout the world.

Paragraph 4 – Treaty of Versailles

In some ways, the Treaty of Versailles, which required Germany to pay reparations and relinquish its colonies and military in exchange for the chance to join the League of Nations, was a just resolution. It was not a successful resolution, though, since it further aggravated German animosity, which eventually sparked the rise of Hitler and the outbreak of World War II. The treaty also ignored the key reasons for violence in the region—minority rights and the right to self-determination. The Treaty of Versailles aimed to promote cooperation between the Allied Powers and bring about long-lasting world peace by punishing the Central Powers. Due to its tough sanctions, which many nations, especially Germany, felt were excessive, it was unable to accomplish its purpose (Yonkman, 2021). There was a tremendous degree of animosity among the German people as a result of the economic and social problems the treaty placed on Germany, particularly the reparations, and this eventually led to the establishment of Nazi Germany.

Paragraph 5 – United States Approval of the Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles needed to be adopted by the U.S. Senate in order for there to be a genuine and long-lasting peace between the European powers that fought in World War I. The Treaty included a series of clauses that would limit the development of armaments, reduce the size of the German military, and establish the League of Nations to advance friendly international relations. The Treaty ultimately offered a framework for peace and stability and was a better option than carrying on with the war, despite certain contentious clauses like the War Guilt Clause (Yonkman, 2021). The Treaty should have received Senate approval because it served the interests of both the United States and the entire world.

 

Conclusion

The events of World War I had far-reaching effects and changed the trajectory of human history. It is challenging to say with certainty that the war in 1914 was inevitable, notwithstanding the underlying tensions between the main countries that predated it. The Treaty of Versailles was a just but fruitless endeavor to restore peace to Europe, and the U.S.’s neutrality proved impossible to uphold. The Treaty should have received Senate approval because it benefited both the U.S. and the rest of the globe.

 

 

References

Coffman, E. M. (2014). The war to end all wars: The American military experience in World War I. University Press of Kentucky.

Corbett, P.S., Janssen, V., Lund, J. M., Pfannestiel, T., Waskiewicz, S., Vickery, P. (2019). U.S. History. Retrieved from https://openstax.org/details/books/us-history

Yonkman, M. (2021). The Treaty of Versailles and the Rise of Nazism in Germany, 1918-1933.

 

 

QUESTION

Required Resources

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

  • Textbook: Chapter 18, 21, 23
  • Lesson
  • Minimum of 3 scholarly sources (in addition to the textbook). The sources associated with each topic selection below can be used as part of the 3 scholarly sources.

Optional Resources to Explore
Feel free to review the library guide for scholarly sources and videos at the following link:

Introduction

The purposes of each case study assignment include the following:

  • To hone your abilities to research using scholarly sources
  • To advance critical thinking and writing skills
  • To compile a response to the prompts provided
  • To explore a historical topic and make connections to change over time

Instructions

Pick one (1) of the following topics. Then, address the corresponding questions/prompts for your selected topic. Use at least one (1) documented example of the corresponding primary source in your writing.

 

Option 1: Big Business (Monopolies) and Exploitation of Workers
View the following resource:

Browse and read one (1) of the following:

Then, address the following:

  • Explain if big business leaders were “captains of industry,” “shrewd businessmen,” or “robber barons.”
  • Based on one of the resources noted for this option, assess American working conditions and exploitation of workers in the Age of Industry.
  • Analyze the role that government played in reforming American working conditions.
  • Explain the benefits of the Federal Government regulations of monopolies.
  • Analyze which progressive presidents attained economic justice and reform for workers.

Option 2: Who is A Progressive?
Review the following site:

Then, address the following:

  • According to Roosevelt, what are the characteristics of a progressive?
  • Explain and give examples of the characteristics of “anti-progressives.”
  • Trace what types of activities “anti-progressives” engaged in?
  • Analyze the goals of progressivism.
  • Explain what areas of society progressives addressed?
  • Analyze the progressive achievements Roosevelt highlights in his speech?

Option 3: World War I
Review the following resources:

Then, address the following:

  • Trace the origins of World War I, and assess if the world war was inevitable in 1914?
  • Explain if it was possible for the United States to maintain neutrality in World War I. If yes, explain how. If no, explain why not.
  • Analyze if the United States should have entered World War I to make the world safe for democracy.
  • Analyze if the Treaty of Versailles was a fair and effective settlement for lasting world peace.
  • Explain if the United States Senate should have approved of the Treaty of Versailles.

Requirements

  • Length: 3-4 pages (not including title page or references page)
  • 1-inch margins
  • Double spaced
  • 12-point Times New Roman font
  • Title page
  • References page
  • In-text citations that correspond with your end references

CHOOSE ONE OPTION AND COMPLETE THE TEMPLATE MATCHING THE CHOSEN OPTION

TEXTBOOK REQUIRED IS  https://openstax.org/books/us-history/pages/1-introduction

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