Albania
Before WWI: Tenuous independence after Balkan Wars, when it
became independent for first time since being subjected to Ottoman rule
centuries earlier. Unable to defend itself against all the regional
powers (such as Serbia) that wanted to absorb Albania, but its
independence was upheld by Western European powers, the UK in
particular. During and After WWI: Invaded by several nations during WWI,
including Austria and Italy. With the intervention of the U.S., it would
retain independence (although tenuously, as regional powers such as
Yugoslavia and Italy would jockey for control), not wanting to be part
of a Christian kingdom due to its largely Muslim population.
(Continued Below)
Austria Before WWI: Comprised the western half of Austria-Hungary.
Austria was weakened after loss to Prussia during Austro-Prussia War
(1866) where it was evicted from German Confederation (resulting in
Prussia-led Germany). Forced to concede equality to Hungary, then a
junior partner of the empire. Formed alliance with Germany, to offset
Russian threat, Austria’s primary enemy at the time. During WWI: Invaded Serbia to fulfill ambition of assuming
control of kingdom. Did not expect Russia to follow through with threats
to come to aid of fellow Slav nation, but when it did, triggered a
series of military alliances that started WWI. Maintained stalemate with
Italy, but suffered devastating defeat toward end of war, precipitating
its acknowledgement of defeat and withdrawal. After WWI: Austria would be forced to cede large parts of empire,
including Hungary and Balkan territories (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia),
minimizing it to a fraction of its size going back centuries, trimmed
down to primarily cover areas dominated by Austrian-German populations.
Austria-Hungary Casualties:
Total Deaths: 1,567,000 (Rank = 5 / 16)
Total Deaths % of pop.: 3% (Rank = 8 / 16)
Troops: 7,800,000 (Rank = 4 / 16)
Troops % of pop.: 15.2% (Rank = 7 / 16)
Military Deaths: 1,100,000 (Rank = 4 / 16)
Military Deaths % of Troops: 14.1% (Rank = 8 / 16)
Civilian Deaths: 467,000 (Rank = 4 / 16)
Civilian Deaths % of pop.: 0.9% (Rank = 9 / 16)
Belgium Before WWI: Like Netherlands, opted to remain neutral, as it did
not have the military might to defend itself from either France or
Germany. During and After WWI: Invaded by Germany, as the most effective
route for an invasion of France was through Belgium. Devastated by the
Germans in WWI, and further damaged when Germany refused to pay war
reparations after the war. Belgium Casualties:
Total Deaths: 104,987 (Rank = 13 / 16)
Total Deaths % of pop.: 1.4% (Rank = 12 / 16)
Troops: 267,000 (Rank = 13 / 16)
Troops % of pop.: 3.6% (Rank = 14 / 16)
Military Deaths: 42,987 (Rank = 12 / 16)
Military Deaths % of Troops: 16.1% (Rank = 6 / 16)
Civilian Deaths: 62,000 (Rank = 13 / 16)
Civilian Deaths % of pop.: 0.8% (Rank = 10 / 16)
Bulgaria Before WWI: Suffered heavy losses in Balkan Wars preceding WWI,
where it lost many of its historical territories. Joined the Central
Powers at the onset of WWI, due to promises of regaining these lost
territories. During WWI: Initially successful in retaking lands from Romania,
Serbia and Greece with the help of the Ottomans and Austrians. But the
war became wildly unpopular with the general public, unsettled with the
idea of fighting alongside the Muslim Ottomans against its fellow
Christian Slavs. After WWI: When the allies broke through, Bulgaria was forced to
give up lands captured during WWI. A democratic government was formed. Bulgaria Casualties:
Total Deaths: 187,500 (Rank = 10 / 16)
Total Deaths % of pop.: 3.4% (Rank = 7 / 16)
Troops: 1,200,000 (Rank = 9 / 16)
Troops % of pop.: 21.8% (Rank = 1 / 16)
Military Deaths: 87,500 (Rank = 11 / 16)
Military Deaths % of Troops: 17.3% (Rank = 13 / 16)
Civilian Deaths: 100,000 (Rank = 11 / 16)
Civilian Deaths % of pop.: 1.8% (Rank = 5 / 16)
Czechoslovakia Before WWI: Under Austria-Hungary rule, with Czechs part of
Western Half (Austrian dominion), and Slovaks part of eastern half
(Hungary dominion). After WWI: When Austria-Hungary loses WWI, forced to grant
independence to all client states. The Slovaks choose to consolidate
with Czechs, for added strength, protection and economic viability. The
Czechs formed the Bohemian province of Austria, a strategically
important industrial sector. Therefore, it was well developed. The
Slovaks on the other hand were a neglected and underdeveloped as part of
Hungary. Therefore, the Slovaks were not prepared to stand on their own,
becoming part of the Czech-dominated Czechoslovakia instead.
Denmark Before WWI: Neutral. During and After WWI: Traded with both sides, but also saw
decline in commerce due to war disruptions. Did not prosper the same way
Sweden did. Awarded small amount of territory (North Schleswig) from
Allies which was lost to Germanic states in 1864 Schleswig wars. Denmark Casualties:
Total Deaths: 722
Troops: 0
Military Deaths: 0
Civilian Deaths: 722
Estonia Before WWI: Occupied by Russia. During WWI: Abandoned by the Russians during their withdrawal
from the war, and the Russian Civil War. Occupied by the Germans as a
result. After WWI: Germans withdraw at the conclusion of the war. Estonia
successfully asserts independence, achieving victory in the War of
Independence against Russia.
Finland Before WWI: Russian province/client state. During and After WWI: With Russian Revolution, Finland claimed
independence, approved by provisional Russian government. Resulted in
civil war between democratic republicans and Russia-leaning socialists.
Republicans won, instituting democratic republican government.
France Before WWI: Still experiencing political upheaval, but also
re-establishing itself as a power after a century where it suffered
major defeats (Napoleonic Wars, Franco-Prussian War). Expanded empire by
becoming a leading colonizer of Africa. Pre-occupied with the German
threat and competition. Interested in regaining territory lost during
Franco-Prussian War. Strikes alliances with Russia and UK to hem in
Germany. During WWI: Immediately lost ground to the invading Germans, but
halted their progress early in the war, keeping the front lines just
inside their eastern borders. Fought successful campaigns against the
Germans in Africa and the Ottoman Empire in the Middle East. After WWI: Although a victor (regaining territory along
France/German border lost during Franco-Prussian War), utterly
devastated by the trench warfare fought against the Germans on French
lands. Suffered a high loss of life, destroyed industrial region and
economic devastation. France did gain additional territories though. In
addition to lands along the Rhine (from Germany), also gained part of
Germany’s African territories, and multiple territories in former
Ottoman Empire (Middle East). France Casualties:
Total Deaths: 1,697,800 (Rank = 4 / 16)
Total Deaths % of pop.: 4.3% (Rank = 4 / 16)
Troops: 8,410,000 (Rank = 3 / 16)
Troops % of pop.: 21.2% (Rank = 2 / 16)
Military Deaths: 1,397,800 (Rank = 3 / 16)
Military Dealths % of Troops: 16.6% (Rank = 5 / 16)
Civilian Deaths: 300,000 (Rank = 8 / 16)
Civilian Deaths % of pop.: 0.8% (Rank = 11 / 16)
Germany Before WWI: Expanding super power, beginning to challenge UK,
even as a naval power. Riding added strength gained from consolidation,
and defeat of France in 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War (gaining new
territories). Gains an overseas empire for the first time. Surpasses UK
as Europe’s leading industrial power. Also becoming increasingly
belligerent and aggressive, committing genocide in SW Africa colony, and
threatening posturings against other European powers. During WWI: Pre-emptively invaded France at beginning of war, in
anticipation they would enter against them. Enjoyed the upper hand
during most of the war on all fronts, but the tide turned against them
at the very end, with the entry of the U.S., and the defeat of each of
their allies. After WWI: Severely weakened due to loss in WWI. Loses its
overseas territories. No longer a serious challenger to the UK and USA
as leading world powers. Loses territory to France. But the loss is not
utterly devastating. Still had most military and industrial capacity in
place, just unable to reach potential in these areas due to peace treaty
signed to end war. Germany’s economy and morale would decline, giving
rise to Nazi party, which would crank up war machine again, becoming
dominant once more in the 1930s, precipitating WWII. Germany Casualties:
Total Deaths: 2,462,897 (Rank = 3 / 16)
Total Deaths % of pop.: 3.8% (Rank = 5 / 16)
Troops: 11,000,000 (Rank = 2 / 16)
Troops % of pop.: 16.9% (Rank = 3 / 16)
Military Deaths: 2,036,897 (Rank = 1 / 16)
Military Deaths % of Troops: 18.5% (Rank = 4 / 16)
Civilian Deaths: 426,000 (Rank = 7 / 16)
Civilian Deaths % of pop.: 0.7% (Rank = 12 / 16)
Greece Before WWI: Coming off successful campaign of Balkan Wars, where
it gained substantial territories from Bulgaria. During WWI: Joined Allied powers against Ottomans and Bulgaria.
Lost territory to Bulgaria (with help from Ottomans), but when Allies
broke through into Balkan Peninsula, it was able to defeat Central
Powers, regaining its recently lost territories. After WWI: Moved in to occupy lands in Asian Minor (modern
Turkey), where the Ottoman Empire was near the point of total collapse,
resulting in combat with the Turks. In the ensuing Greco-Turkish War,
Turkey achieves victory, driving the Greeks out of Asia Minor. A
population exchange is agreed upon at the conclusion of the war, where
those considering themselves to be Greek or Turkic are allowed/forced to
relocate to Greece/Turkey. Greece Casualties:
Total Deaths: 176,000 (Rank = 11 / 16)
Total Deaths % of pop.: 0.4% (Rank = 14 / 16)
Troops: 230,000 (Rank = 14 / 16)
Troops % of pop.: 4.8% (Rank = 13 / 16)
Military Deaths: 26,000 (Rank = 13 / 16)
Military Deaths % of Troops: 11.3% (Rank = 11 / 16)
Civilian Deaths: 150,000 (Rank = 9 / 16)
Civilian Deaths % of pop.: 3.1% (Rank = 4 / 16)
Hungary Before WWI: Comprised the eastern half of Austria-Hungary.
Austria weakened after loss to Prussia during Austro-Prussia War (1866)
where it was evicted from German Confederation (resulting in Prussia-led
Germany). Forced to concede equality to Hungary, then a junior partner
of the empire. Austria-Hungary formed alliance with Germany, to offset
Russian threat, Austria-Hungary’s primary enemy at the time. After WWI: Upon the loss of Austria-Hungary in WWI, it was forced
to divide into natural states according to ethnic groups. Therefore,
Hungary became independent at conclusion of war, but lost possession of
significant Hungarian population inside Transylvania, which was awarded
to Romania by the Allies. Austria-Hungary Casualties:
Total Deaths: 1,567,000 (Rank = 5 / 16)
Total Deaths % of pop.: 3% (Rank = 8 / 16)
Troops: 7,800,000 (Rank = 4 / 16)
Troops % of pop.: 15.2% (Rank = 7 / 16)
Military Deaths: 1,100,000 (Rank = 4 / 16)
Military Deaths % of Troops: 14.1% (Rank = 8 / 16)
Civilian Deaths: 467,000 (Rank = 4 / 16)
Civilian Deaths % of pop.: 0.9% (Rank = 9 / 16)
(Continued Below)
Italy Before WWI: Suffered domestic troubles as a new nation (1861),
but fervent nationalism fueled expansion into Africa. Initially remained
neutral in WWI, as it was somewhat friendly with UK, France, Germany and
Austria, but was lured to the side of the Allies due to promises of
Austria-Hungary lands. During WWI: Invaded Austria-Hungary along its NE border,
remaining in a stalemate most of the war, before inflicting a
devastating victory upon the Austrians at the end of the war. Resulted
in Austria-Hungary defeat and withdrawal in WWI, and consequential break
up of the empire. After WWI: Awarded small tracts of Austrian territories from the
leading Allies (US & UK), but not Dalmatia which it had coveted.
Difficulties after the war led to violent protests by the rapidly
growing socialist party, facilitating a coup led by Mussolini's Fascist
Party. This would push Italy more toward Germany, especially since it
was discontent with the meager territorial gains offered by the Allies.
As a result, Italy would become a primary partner of the Axis Powers,
leading them into WWII on the Nazi side. Italy Casualties:
Total Deaths: 1,240,010 (Rank = 6 / 16)
Total Deaths % of pop.: 3.5% (Rank = 6 / 16)
Troops: 5,615,000 (Rank = 6 / 16)
Troops % of pop.: 15.8% (Rank = 4 / 16)
Military Deaths: 651,010 (Rank = 7 / 16)
Military Deaths % of Troops: 11.6% (Rank = 10 / 16)
Civilian Deaths: 589,000 (Rank = 3 / 16)
Civilian Deaths % of pop.: 1.7% (Rank = 6 / 16)
Latvia Before WWI: Occupied by Russia. During WWI: Fights on behalf of Russia during WWI until Russian
withdrawal and commencement of the Russian Civil War. Russians abandon
Latvia, leaving it open to German occupation. After WWI: At conclusion of WWI, Germans withdraw, and Latvia
resists Russian attempts to reassert control, enabling Latvian
independence.
Lithuania Before WWI: Occupied by Russia. During WWI: After Russians withdraw from WWI, becoming embattled
in the Russian Civil War, Lithuania is left open for German occupation.
After WWI: Becomes independent at conclusion of WWI, as the
Germans withdraw, and the Russians unsuccessfully attempt to reassert
control.
Luxembourg Before WWI: A Netherlands possession - neutral. During and After WWI: Occupied by Germany. Forced to provide
soldiers to fight for Germany. Liberated by Allies, given independence
after war.
Netherlands Before WWI: Strong economy but weak military. Therefore, elects
to remain neutral. During and After WWI: Never invaded, but blockaded, as they
traded with nations on both sides. Constitutional monarchy remains
intact. Germany did not dare invade, knowing that the more strategic
location of the Netherlands (possessing the mouth of major rivers
originating in France and Germany) would certainly invite a
counter-invasion.
Norway Before WWI: Neutral. Traded frequently with both UK and Germany.
During and After WWI: Remained neutral, but continued to trade
with Allies, and supported Allied war effort (UK in particular) through
trade. Lost several merchant ships to German submarine attacks. Enjoyed
peace on the domestic front, with constitutional monarchy led by
democratically-minded King Haakon VII. Norway Casualties:
Total Deaths: 1,892
Troops: 0 Military Deaths: 0
Civilian Deaths: 1,892
Poland Before WWI: Most of Poland is a Russian client state, with other
parts (due to Partition of Poland before Napoleonic Wars) subservient to
Austria and Germany. During and After WWI: Forced to fight against each other, as
partition placed part of Poland on Allied side, and part on other side.
Poland devastated during WWI, since it served as battleground, but gains
independence upon conclusion of war.
Portugal Before WWI: Neutral. In a state of political turbulence as
Republican (democratic) government tries to establish rule. During WWI: War declared by Germany and Austria when Portugal
cooperates with UK. Fought Germans in Africa, gaining territory from
them. After WWI: Civil war ensues as monarchists fight against
republicans, descending nation into chaos before dictatorship takes hold
in 1926. Portugal Casualties:
Total Deaths: 89,222 (Rank = 14 / 16)
Total Deaths % of pop.: 1.5% (Rank = 11 / 16)
Troops: 65,166 (Rank = 15 / 16)
Troops % of pop.: 1.1% (Rank = 16 / 16)
Military Deaths: 7,222 (Rank = 14 / 16)
Military Deaths % of Troops: 11.1% (Rank = 12 / 16)
Civilian Deaths: 82,000 (Rank = 12 / 16) Civilian Deaths % of pop.: 1.4%
(Rank = 7 / 16)
Romania Before WWI: Kingdom of Romania, having gained independence from
Ottoman Empire in 1881, after several centuries of Ottoman rule. During WWI: Joined the side of the Allies, but were quickly
overrun by Germany/Austria. Occupied throughout most of the war,
although continually resisted. After WWI: Regained sovereignty when Germany/Austria were
defeated, and were forced to withdraw forces. Significant additional
territories were awarded to Romania, including Transylvania (long under
Austria-Hungary rule), which nearly doubled the size of Romania, and
Bessarabia (eastern half of modern Moldava), which elected to join
Romania during Russian Civil War. Romania Casualties:
Total Deaths: 680,000 (Rank = 9 / 16)
Total Deaths % of pop.: 9.1% (Rank = 3 / 16)
Troops: 750,000 (Rank = 11 / 16)
Troops % of pop.: 10% (Rank = 9 / 16)
Military Deaths: 250,000 (Rank = 9 / 16)
Military Deaths % of Troops: 33.3% (Rank = 2 / 16)
Civilian Deaths: 430,000 (Rank = 6 / 16)
Civilian Deaths % of pop.: 5.7% (Rank = 3 / 16)
Russia Before WWI: Tumultuous times. Suffering economic and social
problems at home (1905 revolution after loss to Japan in Russo-Japanese
War), while threatened by an expanding Germany to the west. Russia had
long been in expansionist mode, attempting to gain territories and
influence in Balkans, through the Slav connection, placing it in
opposition with German/Austrian expansionist designs in Balkans. Enters
military alliance with UK and France to counterbalance the
German/Austrian threat. Ukraine and Belarus have been under Russian rule
for centuries. Their language and culture survive, despite being
repressed by Russia. During WWI: Russia is outclassed by the German and Austrian
armies, losing significant ground. Suffering from a high loss of life
and severe economic problems leads to revolution, enabling the
communists to gain power. The communists withdraw Russia from the war,
ceding vast territories to Germany/Austria. The Russian Civil War
ensues, as other factions attempt to assume power. Ukraine and Belarus
come under German control, but are given autonomy. After WWI: As communists secure their hold on power within
Russia, they attempt to reassert authority over pre-war territories lost
to the Central Powers. Soviet Russia is unable to prevent the
independence of several former dependent states, such as Poland,
Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland. It does manage to reassert
control over Belarus and Ukraine. Russia Casualties:
Total Deaths: 3,311,000 (Rank = 2 / 16)
Total Deaths % of pop.: 2.1% (Rank = 10 / 16)
Troops: 12,000,000 (Rank = 1 / 16)
Troops % of pop.: 7.6% (Rank = 11 / 16)
Military Deaths: 1,811,000 (Rank = 2 / 16)
Military Deaths % of Troops: 15.1% (Rank = 7 / 16)
Civilian Deaths: 1,500,000 (Rank = 2 / 16)
Civilian Deaths % of pop.: 0.9% (Rank = 8 / 16) Russian Civil War:
Total Deaths: Estimated 15,000,000
Military Deaths: More than 1,500,000
Civilian Deaths: More than 13,000,000
Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and
Slovenes Before WWI: Serbia and Macedonia form the Kingdom of Serbia.
Montenegro independent. Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia & Herzogovenia
provinces within the Austria-Hungary Empire. During WWI: War triggered when Bosnian/Serb independent movement
carries out assassination of heir to Austrian throne, inviting invasion
from Austria, sparking WWI. Serbia falls to Austria. After WWI: Upon the defeat of Austria-Hungary, the Allies demand
that Austria grant its subsidiaries independence. The South Slav ethnic
groups/nations elect to combine into a consolidated South Slav state, as
it had long envisioned. Serbia Casualties:
Total Deaths: 725,000 (Rank = 8 / 16)
Total Deaths % of pop.: 16.1% (Rank = 2 / 16)
Troops: 707,343 (Rank = 12 / 16)
Troops % of pop.: 15.7% (Rank = 5 / 16)
Military Deaths: 275,000 (Rank = 8 / 16)
Military Deaths % of Troops: 38.9% (Rank = 1 / 16)
Civilian Deaths: 450,000 (Rank = 5 / 16)
Civilian Deaths % of pop.: 10% (Rank = 2 / 16)
Spain Before WWI: Developing industrial nation, neutral in continental
affairs/rivalries. During WWI: Largely unaffected. Did generate revenues by selling
goods to allies, but also suffered losses with several commercial ships
sunk by German U-boats. After WWI: Like most European nations, Spain suffered greatly
from the global, postwar economic downturn.
Sweden Before WWI: Neutral. Growing industrialization. During and After WWI: Remained neutral. Prospered by trading with
both sides in the war, as war and other related products from Sweden
were in high demand. Sweden Casualties:
Total Deaths: 877 Troops: 0
Military Deaths: 0
Civilian Deaths: 877
Switzerland Before, During and After WWI: Remains neutral.
Turkey/Ottoman Empire
Before WWI: The Ottoman Empire was in rapid decay leading up to
WWI. An alliance was struck with Germany as a desperate move to
re-establish itself as major power, to regain territories lost in the
Balkans and to Russia in recent decades. During WWI: The UK and France invade the Ottoman Empire by way of
Palestine. The Ottomans initially maintain their defenses, but
eventually give way to the advancing Allies, forcing them to surrender
in 1918. After WWI: The Ottoman Empire is forced to accept an Allied
occupation of Anatolia (modern Turkey - the heart of the Ottoman
Empire). France and the UK annex Palestinian and Mesopotamian
territories. This capitulation by Sultan causes a revolutionary movement
in Turkey to drive out Allies and to drive the Greeks out of western
Asia Minor, establishing modern Republic of Turkey. However, it was
drastically reduced compared to the days as the Ottoman Empire. Ottoman Empire Casualties:
Total Deaths: 5,000,000 (Rank = 1 / 16)
Total Deaths % of pop.: 23.5% (Rank = 1 / 16)
Troops: 2,850,000 (Rank = 8 / 16)
Troops % of pop.: 13.4% (Rank = 8 / 16)
Military Deaths: 800,000 (Rank = 6 / 16)
Military Deaths % of Troops: 28.1% (Rank = 3 / 16)
Civilian Deaths: 4,200,000 (Rank = 1 / 16)
Civilian Deaths % of pop.: 19.7% (Rank = 1 / 16)
United Kingdom Before WWI: World’s greatest power, largest colonial empire.
Primary concern – increasingly aggressive Germany. During WWI: Remains dominant at sea, keeping German navy in
check. Instrumental in defeating Ottoman Empire in the Middle East.
Substantially supports France along western front. After WWI: Victorious, gains even more territory (especially in
Middle East), but weakened due to high loss of life and financial
damage. Experiences increasing difficulty in controlling its overseas
empire. While distracted with WWI, Ireland begins Independence movement,
leading to Irish Independence in 1921. United Kingdom Casualties:
Total Deaths: 994,138 (Rank = 7 / 16)
Total Deaths % of pop.: 2.2% (Rank = 9 / 16)
Troops: 7,100,000 (Rank = 5 / 16)
Troops % of pop.: 15.6% (Rank = 6 / 16)
Military Deaths: 885,138 (Rank = 5 / 16)
Military Deaths % of Troops: 12.5% (Rank = 9 / 16)
Civilian Deaths: 109,000 (Rank = 10 / 16)
Civilian Deaths % of pop.: 0.2% (Rank = 13 / 16)
United States Casualties:
Total Deaths: 117,465 (Rank = 12 / 16)
Total Deaths % of pop.: 0.1% (Rank = 15 / 16)
Troops: 4,743,826 (Rank = 7 / 16)
Troops % of pop.: 5.2% (Rank = 12 / 16)
Military Deaths: 116,708 (Rank = 10 / 16)
Military Deaths % of Troops: 2.5% (Rank = 15 / 16)
Civilian Deaths: 757 (Rank = 14 / 16)
Civilian Deaths % of pop.: 0% (Rank = 14 / 16)
