World War One
World War I was fought in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. On one side were the Central Powers, led by Germany; on the other were the Allies, led by Britain. The world had never experienced such a wide-ranging and deadly war. Millions of people died, and the financial cost was enormous. Before World War I, nationalism had flourished in Europe. Many historians believe that nationalism and people's beliefs about their national interest were important causes of this war.
European governments, for example, believed that expanding their territory in Europe, as well as their colonial possessions, was in their national interest. This belief was a foundation for their foreign policy, which led them to form alliances with other European countries. Alliance members agreed to help one another when one country was threatened. This system of alliances was one factor that brought so many countries into the war so quickly.
Most people affected by World War I had had no say in the decision to go to war. If you lived in the Ottoman, Russian, or Austro-Hungarian empires, for example, you were at war when your rulers declared war. If you live in Canada, you were included in Britain's declaration of war. Your national interest were not considered. After more than four years of brutal fighting, an armistice - truce - was declared at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918, and the war ended.
European governments, for example, believed that expanding their territory in Europe, as well as their colonial possessions, was in their national interest. This belief was a foundation for their foreign policy, which led them to form alliances with other European countries. Alliance members agreed to help one another when one country was threatened. This system of alliances was one factor that brought so many countries into the war so quickly.
Most people affected by World War I had had no say in the decision to go to war. If you lived in the Ottoman, Russian, or Austro-Hungarian empires, for example, you were at war when your rulers declared war. If you live in Canada, you were included in Britain's declaration of war. Your national interest were not considered. After more than four years of brutal fighting, an armistice - truce - was declared at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918, and the war ended.
Brewing Nationalism Before the War
National Interest in the Middle East
In the years before World War I, Arabs in the Ottoman Empire had suffered political, cultural, and linguistic persecution at the hands of ruling Turks. During the war, Arab nationalism - based on shared traditions, religion, language, and history - had been growing. The Arabs' goal was self-government. To further this dream, they had helped the Allies fight the Turks and Germany in the Middle East. In return, they had been promised an independent homeland.
From 1916 to 1918, Prince Emir Faysal, a song of Sharif Husayn ibn 'Ali of Mecca, had led Arab fighters against the Ottoman Turks and helped the British gain control of Palestine in 1917. But at the time, Faysal did not know that Britain and France had secretly agreed to divide up the Middle East and control it themselves. Although Faysal travelled to Paris in 1919 to try to persuade the treaty negotiators to keep their promise to his people, he was unsuccessful.
From 1916 to 1918, Prince Emir Faysal, a song of Sharif Husayn ibn 'Ali of Mecca, had led Arab fighters against the Ottoman Turks and helped the British gain control of Palestine in 1917. But at the time, Faysal did not know that Britain and France had secretly agreed to divide up the Middle East and control it themselves. Although Faysal travelled to Paris in 1919 to try to persuade the treaty negotiators to keep their promise to his people, he was unsuccessful.
The Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was controversial. Some people believe that it was too harsh. Others, such as Ferdinand Foch, the Allies' supreme commander, who had accepted the German surrender on November 11, 1918, believed that it was too lenient. Foch feared that Germany would rebuild its military strength. He said, "This is not a peace treaty. It is an armistice of 20 years."