The end of World War I brought many changes not only in Europe, but throughout the rest of the world. These include economic, political, and social changes. Under all these categories is geographical changes in Europe. This is one of the most significant changes after the war because of how much it affected the world today. An example of this is the creation of many new countries after the Paris Peace Conference. The Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye signed on September 10, 1919 divided the Austro-Hungarian empire into different countries including Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Yugoslavia. The latter is important because it united the Slavic people of Europe in one country under one government, which is something they had been demanding for years. Yugoslavia was invaded during World War II on April 6, 1941 as part of a German imperial movement. The country was broken up on January 31, 1946 into smaller countries (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia). The creation of Yugoslavia is significant because it gave the South Slavs of Europe what they wanted only to be destroyed by Germany as a part of World War II. It led to the widespread of communism from the Soviet Union into Yugoslavia under the rule of Tito and therefore contributed to the fight against communism throughout the 1900s.
Another country that was created after World War I is Iraq. It was a part of the Ottoman Empire until that was dissolved at the end of the war. It then became a British Mandate until 1933, when it became the Kingdom of Iraq. The creation of Iraq is significant because unlike Yugoslavia, it grouped many different ethnicities under one government without asking for their opinion on the matter. Iraq then had Kurds, Sunnis and Shias in the same land under one government, which was bound to lead to conflict. Ever since, Iraq has been in conflict. As of right now, Iraq is going through a war with radical Sunni Muslims (ISIS) going against Kurds not only in Iraq, but also Turkey. The creation of Iraq is significant because it forcefully united opposing ethnicities and religious groups and led to conflict that is still very alive today. The world has seen the Iraqi government be in conflict with Iraqi Kurds and Iraqi Shias against other groups in the country.
Hi Tidiane,
I really like the fact that you talked about another treaty over the one imposed on Germany, since, we talked a lot about it in class. Furthermore, you make links with WW2 which was one of the effect of WW1 and the destruction of Yugoslavia. You also brought a recent event that is link to the birth of Iraq so, therefore, to the dismantlement of the Ottoman Empire. You should, maybe have talked about self-determination for that matter because we had to talk about two topics of the effects of WW1.
Charles Mercier
Overall I enjoyed reading your post as you brought outside knowledge that was not discussed in class, which added to my understanding of the infliction that these ‘new’ nations made on certain populations. As they did leave a large impact on the minorities, whom were essentially all bundled up within common borders, and as you mentioned eventually led to conflict. Yet to add to the significance bit of your post, I would mention self-determination to bring in the perspectives of these groups of people. That could bring in the idea of how it was unfair and can be described as an injustice to the ‘outcasts’ following the war; it can make your post more personal describing it from their point of view but otherwise it was well written and a pleasure to read.
Hi Tidiane,
You successfully challenged yourself with these choices. Both demonstrate relevant content and the conceptual analysis is thoughtful and detailed. The link you made between the Treaty of St. Germain and the Cold War may prove very useful in both Paper Two topics. The triangulation of the demise of the Ottoman Empire, British Mandates and modern Iraq also show sophisticated analysis. Well done, and keep up the terrific analysis!