modern world history nts

Modern World Overview

  • The 20th century was marked by significant upheaval and rapid change.

  • Shift in measuring national power:

    • 1900s: Power measured by number of colonies.

    • End of 20th Century: Power measured by influence in world affairs based on wealth.

  • United States emerged as the most influential and wealthiest country.

World Powers Comparison

  • 1900s Major Powers:

    • Great Britain

    • Russia

    • France

    • Italy

    • Japan

    • Germany

    • Austria-Hungary

  • 1990s Major Powers:

    • USA

    • France

    • Italy

    • UK

  • Richest Countries in the 1990s:

    • Finland

    • Switzerland

    • Luxembourg

    • United Arab Emirates

Major Events in the Twentieth Century

  • The 20th century witnessed two major world wars:

    1. First World War: 1914-1918

    2. Second World War: 1939-1945

  • Civil wars also occurred, notably in various nations.

Ideologies: Communism vs Capitalism

  1. Communism:

    • Advocates for collective ownership and profit sharing.

  2. Capitalism:

    • Based on a worker-boss model focusing on profit for bosses.

  • Cold War (1945-1991):

    • USA supported capitalism, USSR supported communism.

    • Cold War ended as USSR began abandoning communism in 1991.

The First World War (1914-1918)

Causes of the War

  1. Alliances:

    • Major powers formed alliances for mutual defense.

    • Triple Alliance: Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy.

    • Triple Entente: Britain, France, Russia (USA joined in 1917).

  2. Arms Race:

    • Nations built up military forces. Kaiser Wilhelm II declared war on Russia on August 1 and on France two days later.

    • Invaded Belgium, violating its neutrality, which prompted Britain's declaration of war on Germany.

    • Many British Empire nations joined in support of Britain.

  3. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand:

    • Shot in Sarajevo, leading Austria-Hungary to invade Serbia, subsequently drawing in Russia and Germany in support of their respective alliances.

    • Italy later joined the Allies in 1916.

Key Theatres of War

  • Western Front:

    • Major battles involving Germany against Britain, France, and later the USA.

  • Eastern Front:

    • No fixed line; combat with Russia amid internal revolution.

  • Middle East:

    • Control of Suez Canal was crucial.

Notable Events

  • Submarine Warfare:

    • Germany's use of submarines led to sinking of US ship Lusitania, prompting US entry into the war.

  • Battle of Jutland:

    • Major naval battle with no clear victor.

  • Italy's Shift:

    • Initially allied with Germany, Italy switched sides in 1915.