First World War: Causes and Impact on Africa

1. World War I was a military conflict from August 1914 to November 1918 that involved many of the countries of Europe as well as the United States and other nations throughout the world.
2. World War I was one of the most violent and destructive wars in European history and the general use until a second worldwide conflict broke out in 1939 (World War II).
3. Before that year, the war was known as the Great War or the World War.

Immediate causes / short term causes:

1. The assassination of Austrian leader, Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife in June 1914 at the Bosnian city of Sarajevo by Gavrilo Principe, a young Bosnian nationalist.
2. Austria sent an alteration to Serbia demanding Austrian officials to be permitted to investigate and punish the assassination.
3. Serbia refused, so Austria declared war on Serbia (Bosnia) on 28/7/1914.
4. Other countries joined to support Serbia and others to support Austria.

Long term causes

1. Development of capitalism into Monopoly stage in 1870's. During that time European capitalist were struggling for Economic demands such as raw material, markets, cheap labor and areas for investment.
2. Germany Nationalism in 1870's. After the unification of Germany, Germany intensified her military hence posing strong challenge to other capitalist's nations in Europe this led to conflict between Germany and other powers, which were also interested in colonies e.g. France and Britain.
3. The rise of rival Military alliances in Europe. This was the union among imperialist states in Europe in order to obtain collective defense against their enemy states. This means it was the development of Military alliances among the European powers in order to defend each other militarily once they were attacked by other powers, there were two alliances.

Triple alliance

Germany, Austria – Hungary in 1879 and Italy in 1882.

Triple entente

1. Britain, France and Russia. These alliances were enemy to each other and competed in manufacturing of weapons and armies. This situation led to hostility which marked the starting of the war in 1914
2. France wanted to regain Alsace and Lorraine, which she lost in the Franco – Prussian war of 1871. The franco-Prussian war of 1870-1871 led France to lose her two provinces of Alsace and Lorraine which were very potential in production of iron and coal as the result the France economy was badly affected decided to revenge against German for grabbing her precious provinces
3. Morocco crisis between France and Germany led to war. France claimed Morocco as her sphere of influence while Germany wanted Morocco to be independent. Morocco crisis between France and Germany led to war this was the intensive conflicts between Germany and France over the ownership of Morocco in the Northern Africa.
4. Dissatisfaction over territory arrangement. By the 19th century, almost all parts of the world were under the big capitalism nations with exception of Africa which also come to be colonized

Factors which made First World War to spread worldwide

1. Involvement of African colonies to support her European Masters brought war to Africa.
2. The support, which has given by Asian colonies to their colonizing Masters, brought war to Asia.
3. Russian ambitions to occupy Constantinople from turkey in order to allow easy movements of trade strops from the black sea to other parts spread the war in Asia Minor and Middle East.
4. U.S.A role of supplying war equipment has and loans to Europe made the war to experience benefits from the Americans.

Political effects

1. New nations were formed at Versailles e.g. Serbia and Montenegro became a new nation of Yugoslavia were its capital is Belgrade.
2. Germany was prevented from building warship airplanes and tanks. In addition, the number of her soldiers was limited to 100,000 from 1,000,000.
3. The formation of the League of Nations in 1920 to prevent re-occurrence of another World war. Woodrow Wilson the president of USA prepared the league.
4. Alsace and Lorraine were returned to France.

Economic effects

1. Destruction of economic infrastructures e.g. Industries, banks, roads, railways. This led to unemployment.
2. Debts amo49 million, France 2,977 million.
3. Germany had to pay for the war reparation of about 6500 million, to the winners by installment.
4. Great economic depression/slum.
5. Many people were killed about 13 million, while others became orphans and refugees in Europe.
6. Unemployment due to the destruction of industries.

Political effects

1. Change in Colonial Boundaries: The war led to the redistribution of colonies among European powers after the defeat of Germany: Germany lost its African colonies (Togoland, Cameroon, German South-West Africa, and German East Africa) to Britain, France, Belgium, and South Africa under the League of Nations Mandate System. For example: German East Africa (Tanganyika) was handed over to Britain. Rwanda and Burundi were taken over by Belgium.
2. Increased Colonial Control: European colonial powers tightened their control over African territories to exploit resources and ensure loyalty during and after the war. Colonial administrations expanded, and African resistance to colonial rule was suppressed more harshly.
3. Rise of Nationalism: African soldiers who participated in the war were exposed to ideas of freedom and self-determination. These experiences inspired the growth of African nationalism and demands for political rights and independence.
4. Increased Segregation Policies: Many colonial powers introduced stricter racial segregation policies after the war to maintain control over African populations. Laws that marginalized Africans, such as land alienation and labor exploitation, became more entrenched.
5. Weakening of Colonial Powers: The war weakened European colonial powers economically and militarily, making them more vulnerable to resistance movements in the long term.
6. Creation of Mandate Territories: The League of Nations introduced the Mandate System, under which former German colonies were administered by other powers "on behalf of the League." This system solidified colonial rule in Africa and delayed independence movements by placing colonies under "temporary" European control.
7. Political Displacement and Instability: The war disrupted traditional African political systems, as colonial administrators focused on war efforts and neglected local governance. Some African leaders were removed or displaced for opposing colonial policies during the war.
8. Spread of Western Ideologies: Africans exposed to Western political ideologies during the war began to question colonial rule and demand equality, justice, and freedom. Concepts like democracy and socialism gained traction among educated Africans and war veterans.

Social effects

1. Death among Africans soldiers and civilians. Many African soldiers lost their lives in the battle (field of war) over work and others due to the out of diseases such as cholera influenza, and diarrhea. It is estimated about 100,000 people died.
2. Rise of communicable diseases e.g. Plague, influenza and malnutrition about 70,000 people died in Tanganyika.
3. Insecurity among African societies. Many African societies were psychologically affected after they had witnessed their relatives being taken by force to fight for their colonial masters.

Economic effects

1. Destruction of colonial economy production in the settler farms and mines plantations felt because labors were recruited as soldiers.
2. Intensive exploitation of African people because they wanted to recovery their economies, which were ruined by the war such as land alienation and forced labor.
3. Decline of external trade between the European and colonies because there were no ships, which sailed to Europe during and immediately after the war.
4. Destruction of physical infrastructure like railways, roads, harbors ports etc.
5. Decline of overseas trade. External trade between the colonial and Europe failed because there were no shapes, which sailed to Europe during and immediately after the war.
6. Shortage of labor in the plantation areas, European family had suffered a setback with the absence of men at work, in some place's farms had been left and their owners, if they survived the war, were usually deported.