Aftermath of WW1 — Social Studies 8 Q4

• First Russian Revolution (1905)


  • Citizens politely asked Tzar Nicholas II to give them food
  • Generals sent soldiers to stop the revolution
  • Soldiers shot the civilians although the Tzar did NOT command them to
  • This angered the civilians and grew their hatred for the Tzar more
  • The once peaceful protest ended in a bloody protest, causing numerous casualties
• Tzar Nicholas II


  • Tried his best to gain support from the citizens but all attempts failed due to poor management
  • Admitted to the public that he wasn't ready to become the Tzar
  • Was a weak leader due to familial influence
• Tzar Nicholas II's family

  • Grandfather (brutal leader, focused on getting parties with monarchs, killed those who protested against him, citizens starved during his rule, died due to assassination by protestors)
  • Father (brutal leader, heir to the throne when his father was assassinated, was an improvement from his father, did not teach Tzar Nicholas II how to properly lead and economics)
• Second Russian Revolution (1917)


  • Russia experienced a civil unrest brought by the shortage in food and fuel
  • Money was prioritized to the military in war while other sectors suffered
  • People started to protest, which led to the abdication of Tzar Nicholas II in February 1917
  • A provisional government was established to replace the Tsarist Rule
  • Headed mostly by the Bourgeoisie (middle class) and was created in response to the fear that the old Tsarist rule would call on its troops and suppress the rebellion
  • The provisional government encountered crisis in its own as there had been political factionalism (opposing ideals) within the left and right wings
• Political factions in the provisional government

  • Mensheviks (right-wing, democratic)
  • Bolsheviks (left-wing, communist, headed by Vladimir Lenin, gained supporters by advocating for an end to war, distribution of land, and food, seized all power / won between the 2 wings)
• Bolsheviks' seizure of power

  1. Conducted an armed insurrection (violent uprising) involving workers and soldiers in Petrograd and overthrew the provisional government

  2. The new government ended the involvement of Russia in the war through a truce with Germany
• Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (March 1918)


  Officially ended the involvement of Russia in WW1 and the war in the Eastern Front
• End of WW1

  1. Allies launched a counterattack to Germany and were able to advance towards Germany

  2. Ottomans and Bulgarians were the first to surrender

  3. Austria-Hungary faced an internal revolution

  4. Germany's soldiers protested against the Kaiser (emperor), who was forced to step down and Germany became a republic

  5. Germany was the last to surrender in WW1

  6. German Government met with the French commander and both signed an agreement ending the war
• World War I officially ended

  November 11, 1918
• Aftermath of World War I

  • Advancements in technology such as x-ray machines and high-powered war machineries
  • 9 million soldiers died due to WW1; 21 million were wounded; starvation, diseases, and slaughter became common
  • People experienced severe insecurities and despair
  • Political, cultural, economic, and social change occurred across Eurasia, Africa, and areas outside direct involvement
  • Brought political transformation to most of the principal parties involved in the conflict, transforming them into electoral democracies
  • Brought near-universal suffrage for the first time in history
• Treaty of Versailles (January 18, 1919)


  • Presented by President Woodrow Wilson in the Paris Peace Conference
  • Attended by delegates from 32 countries
  • President Woodrow Wilson outlined a plan to achieve and maintain peace in a document called the "Fourteen Points"
  • Ended war between Germany, France, Italy, Britain, and other minor allied powers
  • Great Britain and France did not welcome the provisions, both being more concerned with national security
  • On June 28, 1919, Germany and the Allies signed the Treaty of Versailles but with provisions, most being harsh on Germany (Germany is to be stripped of territories, restrictions on Germany's military, surrender German territories in Asia and Africa until they are ready for independence, pay all reparations around 33 billion dollars (war guilt))
• League of Nations


  • Primary role was to prevent another world war
  • Was a fail from the beginning due to the original 14 points being rejected and revised
  • Suggested ways to deal with conflicts caused by the issues through communication and negotiation
  • Promote international cooperation in relation to cross-border drug trafficking, human trafficking, and humanitarian aid
  • More than 60 countries joined the league except for Russia, Germany, and USA