World War I Aftermath, 1919

Detailed Timeline of European History

Pre-World War I (1816-1914) << World War I (1914-19) >> Inter-War Period (1919-39)

Great War/World War I (1914 - 1919)
A New Terrible Type of Warfare, New Nations Created in Europe

WWI Timeline: | 1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 |

Irish War of Independence (vs United Kingdom) Begins (1919): Ireland desired autonomous rule within the United Kingdom, which was postponed due to the outbreak of WWI. A revolt was attempted in 1916 during the war, but was brutally suppressed by the British, souring Irish public opinion of its place in the UK. Revolts would break out in 1919, escalating into a full-scale war of independence. Irish independence would be achieved in 1921, although the northern portion of the island would remain part of the revised UK.

(Timeline Continued Below)

Polish-Soviet War (1919): In 1919, the British established a theoretical border between the Russians and Polish. However, neither side was satisfied, so war was sparked. The war was largely fought to a stalemate, with the Russians suing for peace in 1920. Both sides agreed upon a border that closely approximated the British-drawn border.

Polish-Ukraine War Ending in Poland Victory and Territorial Increase (1919): The Allies did not specify how the former Austrian territory of Galacia would be split. It primarily consisted of substantial Polish and Ukraine communities. In reality, it was split, with West Galacia coming under Polish control, and East Galacia under control of the Ukraine People's Republic. In the ensuring war, the Polish proved victorious, annexing all of Galacia.

Internal Strife & Instability in Germany (1919): Various factions battled for control of Germany following the emperor's resignation in November of 1918, and the civil strife (including outbreaks of armed conflict) continued throughout much of 1919 until a new democratic was established in August of 1919. The new democratic government was unable to end Germany's dismal state of affairs, as the post-war economy continued to suffer mightily, and violent demonstrations and revolts commonly occurred.

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Soviet Union Formation (1919): As the Communist Bolsheviks (Red Army) gain the upper hand in the Russian Civil War against the White Army, their new Soviet Republic becomes the de facto government. In 1919, the organized and cohesive Communist movement continued to build steam, overwhelming the disjounted White Army, which consisted of a variety of ideologies. The UK, France and the U.S. would all withdraw from the war in 1919, supporting the Whites with finances and supplies only. Although the Whites were able to menace Communist strongholds, they could not seriously threaten Soviet rule, which now covered all the important population centers throughout Russia.

Organization of the Turkish Resistance Preceding Turkish War of Independence Against Allies (1919): The Sultan and his government were completely subordinate to the British. By early 1919, as the government began passing along Allied orders, officials organized resistance groups to defy the Allied-controlled sultan. When the British became aware of such revolutionary activities, they increased troops throughout Anatolia (modern Turkey). The tension would continue to build, culminating into armed conflict in 1920, which would utlimately result in the independence of Turkey and the eviction of the allied forces.

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Greco-Turkish War Begins (1919): Part of the Turkish War of independence. Greek troops landed on the western coast of Anatolia in 1919 in order to assert the territorial gains promised by the Allies. The Greek occupation would provoke counter attacks by Turkish revolutionaries. The fighting would continue through 1922, when the Greek would be forced out of Anatolia, losing its temporary gains as well as the lands on the European side of Turkey gained by Greece at the end of WWI.

United Kingdom Loses Afghanistan (1919): Afghanistan had long been weary of British rule, and finally revolted in 1919. The United Kingdom fought the Afghans to a stalemate, but ceded control of the country rather than continue fighting, as it was war-fatigued from WWI.

Allies Transfer North Schleswig From Germany to Denmark: Allies award to Denmark in 1920, based on referendum, where most voters preferred to be part of Denmark.

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A Further Understanding of World War I

New Type of Warfare:
A new terrible type of warfare was born with the onset of the Great War (WWI), fueled by new technologies, an increase in competing superpowers, and rising urbanization as populations became more dense. As a result, more devastating weapons (technology) were brought to population centers, rather than empty fields (population density), resulting in a greater number of deaths, especially in terms of civilian deaths.

Peace Treaties:
The Central Powers had ceded defeat, and agreed to end combat by November of 1918. Treaties with Germany, Austria and Bulgaria would not be finalized until 1919, while the peace treaty with Hungary would not be signed until 1920. The Ottoman Empire would also sign a peace treaty in 1920, but its government would be overthrown as part of the Turkish Wars of Independence, requiring a new peace treaty after the end of this war in 1923. All the defeated parties would lose large amounts of territory to Allied nations and newly-created nations.

Treaty of Versailles:
Germany agrees to peace treaty which made it financially responsible for all damage caused during the war. They also agreed to reduce their army to a mere 100,000 troops, and their navy to 15,000. The Germans also lost most of their pre-war export business, along with valuable territories which supplied essential raw materials. The Alsace-Lorraine (ceded to the French) provided much of its coal used to operate its manufacturing plants. Many other critical raw materials were lost with its African colonies.

WWI Timeline: | 1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 |

Effect of World War I on Each Country

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