Kelly Zhao

3/14/18

Thematic Essay

There have been many events throughout history that had both positives and negative

effects on the history of mankind. Two of the most influential events that had the most impact

were the first World War and the second World War. Both wars led to advancement in

technology, medicine, science, and diplomacy.

Historians would likely agree that the First World War was the most devastating and led

to many changes. There were several reasons why WWI has started known as M.A.N.I.A. M-for

military, A-for alliances, N-nationalism, I-imperialism, A-assassination. The event that lead to

the war is the assassination of the archduke of Austria by a siberian spy. Austria declared war on

Serbia, and the war started. There were two alliances in Europe, the Central power and the

Allies. The Central power consisted of Germany, Austro-Hungary, and Italy, although Italy left

and joined the Allies. Britain, Russia, France, and in the end United States were the Allies.

Military was also of the events that lead to WWI, the Allies and the Central power were

competing in how many weapons they produced. Mass production of weaponry led to tension

between neighboring countries, and because opposing allies were afraid that they would have

less weapons, the production of weapons did not stop. The end of nineteenth century and the

beginning of twentieth century was the era of imperialism. Europeans invaded Africa and

colonized it. Countries needed raw resources and they were desiring places in Africa that had the

most resources. This led to arguments between countries and Africa was divided in the end.

Tension increased making it much more complicated than it already was. Countries became more
isolated and some even wanted independence, which led to nationalism, countries were too

proud of themselves and wanted to be the superior nation. Serbians were trying to get their

independance, thinking it’s absurd being under Austro-Hungarian. Those long-lasting events and

a quick spark, which had killed Archduke of Austria, led to WWI.

The World War One is also known as the Great War because it had great effects that still

affect people nowadays. There were both positive and negative effects. Although during the

WWI 37 million people have died, weapons and technologies that have been invented during

WWI were much more advanced than its used to be. Tanks, airplanes, chemical weapons, and

battleships were invented, and even though they were meant for warfare purposes, now people

use them in peaceful ways like transportation. Medicine also improved, to withstand the effects

of chemical weapons people have invented new medical treatments which caused less casualties

that there would have been. One of the biggest negative effects that this war caused is the death

of millions of people and the destruction of Europe. The winning nations, the Allies, decided to

blame Germany, since Austria was destroyed and the king was assassinated, in the treaty of

Versailles. The treaty had two effects, positive and negative. The positive effect was the way

diplomacy was handled, instead of sending ambassadors that would likely be killed, the treaty

was more peaceful; even now leaders gather to discuss world problems. The negative effect was

that after Germany got blamed, germans were so angry that they would listen to anyone who

desires to bring greatness to Germany, and that man was Hitler. Hitler has conquered the people

and the government, he disobeyed all the promises made by Germany to the Allies and

increased the army and finally declared the war that was known as the second World War.
 The WWII started in the year of 1939 and ended in 1945. Germany or as better known

the Nazis, started the war which resulted in death of 50 to 80 million people in total, that includes

civilians and soldiers. The long-lasting effects on the history that WWII had are improvements in

mathematics, as well as technologies, medicine, and sciences. Although it might look the same as

WWI but the effects of WWII were much better, and did not cause another world war. There

were several causes of WWII. First, Germany was destroyed, devastated, angry with their

politicians, and was largely in debt, because the treaty of Versailles, that was supposed to come

to a peaceful agreement, decided to make Germany pay for war. Germany started printing

money, but the more you print the lesser the value of the bill gets, so german currency dropped,

making money worthless. After WWI ended, it took Germany 10 years to rehabilitate, but in

1932 very popular at the time candidate became a president after the death of the former

president. Hitler rose to power. He immediately broke all the agreements made by the treaty and

increased the army as well as weaponry. German Nazis invaded Poland, and Britain and France

declared war on them in 1939.

WWII caused a lot of casualties, it wasn’t as devastating as WWI but still destroyed half

of Europe. On the other side WWII had more long-lasting effects more positive than negative.

Because nations were suspicious of another Hitler coming to power, the created United Nations

that would prevent wars and any problems in the world. Something similar was created after

WWI but it failed because United States did not join. New United Nations included all of the

countries that participated in the war, including United States and Germany. The Allies did not

blame all destruction on Germany this time. Some of the positive effects of WWII were the

advancement in sciences, medicine, and diplomacy. During the WWII Albert Einstein was
working for Nazis, but his discoveries made by him still impacts the world. New engineering

inventions like nuclear weapons allowed the world of trying to research for nuclear alternative

for oil, and nuclear sciences have apperied. WWII had both positive and negative effects that

have changed the world.

Two of the most influential events that had the most impact were the first World War and

the second World War. Both wars led to advancement in technology, medicine, science, and

diplomacy. Both wars were similar, technologies have advanced and help out people nowadays

like airplane transportation or cargo ships. Warfare weapons still protect countries and help make

money for the government. Doctors are now able to treat more severe diseases that they could

before WWI and WWII. Because of competitive nature, countries were able to advance and even

send a first person to moon. There were a lot of long-lasting effects caused by WWI and WWII,

which makes them one of the most influential events in the history of the world.