New countries were formed from the Ottoman, German, Russian and Austro-Hungarian Empires. For the first time, nations had the opportunity to govern themselves. Hungary, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Finland all benefitted from Wilson’s belief in self- determination. Other new countries such as Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia were created by the Allies although they broke up again 70 years later.
4. Rise of the USA
The entry of the USA into the war in 1917 ensured victory for the Allies. As Europe fought an expensive and damaging war, the USA became one of the most powerful economic countries in the world. Europeans bought weapons and goods from the USA. After the war, the Americans followed a policy of isolationism. This meant that they did not want to get involved in the problems of the European countries.
5. The League of Nations
There was great hope that the League of Nations would mean the end of conflicts between countries. However, neither Russia nor Germany was allowed to join the League and the USA’s policy of isolationism meant they chose not to join. Without three of the world’s most powerful countries, the League found it difficult to operate successfully.
6. The rise of communism
Russia withdrew from World War I in 1917 due to the rise to power in Russia of Vladimir Lenin’s Bolshevik Party. The rise of Russia as the leader of the communist movement in Europe had great consequences for the whole world over the rest of the twentieth century.
RECALL
1. What was the War Guilt Clause? 2. What does reparation mean? 3. List the lands that Germany lost following the Treaty of Versailles. 4. What happened to the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires after the Treaty of Versailles? 5. What did the Allied leaders hope the League of Nations would achieve? 6. Why were people in Germany angry with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles? Give three reasons. 7. List three countries that were created after the Treaty of Versailles. 8. What is meant by isolationism? 9. Why did the League of Nations find it difficult to operate successfully?