The first half of the 20th century is a time of great change worldwide. In the First World War the great capitalist bourgeoisies of the powerful countries clashed for economic and political control of the world , which caused an economic, political, social and cultural crisis in the capitalist system. On the other hand, the organized and politically aware working classes carried out revolutions to achieve political power and from there change the entire economic, social and political system.
The current world (the 1980s and 1990s and the beginning of the 21st century) has not changed much in essence because the struggles between the great capitalist power groups of the powerful countries still continue, the economic crisis continues on a world scale, a crisis of culture and education and social degradation. But it still remains in force, that spirit of change of reality in men (scientists, artists and workers) who seek to create a new economy, new society, new government and new education different from the one that has been established in capitalism.
Definition of the First World War
War between capitalist powers for a new distribution of colonies (sources of raw materials and markets).
Causes of the First World War
- Imperialist Expansion:The struggle to get colonies between the capitalist power countries.
- Commercial Disputes:Which provoked fights for the control of markets and sources of raw materials.
- Social Problems:The advance of social workers' organizations in Europe, as well as the formation of the "International Workers".
- Territorial Conflicts:Like the problem of Morocco, the struggle for Alsace and Lorraine and the control of the Balkans.
- The Formation of Military Alliances:Which gave rise to the emergence of blocs:the Triple Alliance (1882) made up of Germany, Austria, Hungary and Italy and the Triple Entente (1907) made up of England, France and Russia.
- The Armed Peace:An arms race was adopted, in the midst of an apparent peace.
- Pretext:Assassination in Sarajevo of Prince Franz Ferdinand, Austrian heir, committed by the nationalist organization “Black Hand”, an ally of Russia.
Development of the First World War
Initial Movements Campaign, Western Front
The German invasion of Belgium and France begins . The Germans are stopped in the first Battle of the Marne. Italy breaks with the central powers and suffers the defeat of Caporetto.
On the Eastern front, Russia invades East Prussia, but its armies are defeated at Tannemberg and Mazurian Lakes
Position War (1915-1917)
The French wage a war of attrition against Germany through the trenches.
Sea War
Germany unleashed submarine counteroffensive to guarantee the supply of raw materials to your industry. He sank ships of various nationalities, for example the Lusitania; this fact was taken as a pretext for the military intervention of the United States in the war.
Eastern Front:
Russia withdraws from the war , after the triumph of the Bolshevik revolution, signing the Brest-Litovsk treaty with Germany.
Final Campaigns
The United States intervened to protect international trade and its foreign investment privileges.
Germany initiates a ground counteroffensive. The siege of France takes place, but the Germans are defeated in the second battle of the Marne.
Consequences of the First World War
- Fall of European absolutist monarchies such as in Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia.
- Heavy war compensation to Germany imposed by the victorious powers in the Treaty of Versailles (1919).
- The imperialist war is transformed into a revolutionary war in Russia, with the emergence of the first socialist state.
- New world powers emerge, such as the US and Japan.
- The League of Nations arises, to preserve world peace; but it failed to prevent the new world conflagration.
- Emergence of the fascist ideology contrary to the social movement of workers.