The Social Effects of World War I on Europe

1. The Social Effects of World War I on Europe “The First World War killed fewer victims than the Second World War, destroyed fewer buildings, and uprooted millionsinstead of tens of millions—but in many ways it left even deeper scars both on the mind and on the map of Europe. The old world never recovered from the shock.” -Edmond Taylor, The Fossil Monarchies

2. SOCIAL EFFECTS OF WWI ON EUROPE • Devastation of Population

4. SOCIAL IMPACT OF WWI ON EUROPE • Devastation of Population • QUESTION: If this whole class were to go to war and 57% of the troops that were mobilized were killed in the war, then how many students in this class would not have survived? • If the casualties were all men, what impact would that have on society? • Marriage? • Families?

5. Statistics 127,000 Widows 224,000 parents who lost sons "Killed in Action" (Drawing by Kathe Kollwitz, 1919)

6. SOCIAL IMPACT OF WWI ON EUROPE • Devastation of Population • QUESTION: If this whole class were to go to war and 57% of the troops that were mobilized were killed in the war, then how many students in this class would not have survived? • If the casualties were all men, what impact would that have on society? • Marriage? • Families? • Mental Trauma

7. b. If the casualties were all men, what impact would that have on society? • 1. Marriages? • 2. Families? • Mental Trauma • Of Soldiers

8. Statistics From 1938 on WWI 442,000 men were alive but were maimed, gassed, shell shocked and could not work. They depended on the state for $

9. Statistics from 1938 on WWI 15,000 men had head injuries with metal plates for protection

10. Statistics from 1938 on WWI 8,000 men lost 1 or both legs 3,600 men lost 1 or both arms 90,000 men had limbs that were damaged to a marked degree 2,000 men suffered from frostbite

11. Statistics from 1938 on WWI 10,000 eyesight injuries 2,000 of which were blind

12. b. If the casualties were all men, what impact would that have on society? • 1. Marriages? • 2. Families? • Mental Trauma • Of Soldiers • Of Civilians • Crisis in Morale • Nihilism

14. 3. Crisis in Morale • Nihilism • Acceptance of Scapegoats • a. In the Beginning—Versailles

15. Versailles Treaty—Major Players British Prime Minister David Lloyd George, French Premier Georges Clemenceau & President Woodrow Wilson @ Versailles

16. Appeared in the German magazine Simpliccimus on June 3, 1919. The principal judges and executioners were (from left to right) the American president Wilson, the French president Clemenceau and the British prime minister Lloyd George.

17. 3. Crisis in Morale • Nihilism • Acceptance of Scapegoats • In the Beginning—Versailles • In Germany—Dolchstosslegende • People Distrusted Traditional Institutions • Banks • Governments

18. People Distrusted Traditional Institutions • Banks • Governments • Art • a. Dadaist movement

19. Jean Arp Called “Hitler”

20. The Hero 'Jack fell as he'd have wished,' the mother said,And folded up the letter that she'd read.'The Colonel writes so nicely.' Something brokeIn the tired voice that quivered to a choke.She half looked up. 'We mothers are so proudOf our dead soldiers.' Then her face was bowed. Quietly the Brother Officer went out.He'd told the poor old dear some gallant liesThat she would nourish all her days, no doubtFor while he coughed and mumbled, her weak eyesHad shone with gentle triumph, brimmed with joy,Because he'd been so brave, her glorious boy. He thought how 'Jack', cold-footed, useless swine,Had panicked down the trench that night the mineWent up at Wicked Corner; how he'd triedTo get sent home, and how, at last, he died,Blown to small bits. And no one seemed to careExcept that lonely woman with white hair. Siegfried Sassoon, 1917

21. In class writing assignment: In your opinion, which social effect of WWI do you feel had the greatest impact on Europe and why?