Compare and Contrast Wwi and Wii

Compare/Contrast Essay Ever since the dawn of mankind there have been wars. WWI and WWI were two of the most lethal and devastating wars in our history. In both wars, the Allied Powers defeated Germany in hopes of terminating German expansion and dominance. Although somewhat similar, WWI and WWII were drastically different from each other. WWI was caused by an issue between countries for control of colonies, territories and resources. WWII began due to nationalistic tensions and unresolved issues from WWI.

The “Great War” or the First World War launched the transformation of the world, but not until after the Second World War was anything really accomplished. WWI and WWII were similar in that they both exceedingly devastated many countries of the world. In both wars, Europe was destroyed. People were left homeless; farmland and industry were eradicated. Germany was also broken up as a result of both wars. After WWI, Germany no longer had colonies, and they lost the Alsace-Lorraine territory that formed Poland.

After WWII, Germany was divided up into four zones run by the Allied Nations: Britain, The United States of America, France, and the U. S. S. R. They did this to make sure that the Nazi party would not gain control again. The total expenditure for all countries involved in both WWI and WWII was colossal. Countries like Germany, Britain, France and Russia suffered tough economic problems after both world wars. In most European countries prices increased greatly after the wars. International trade in Europe declined and therefore created an obstacle in their economic recovery.

Unlike Europe, the United States was strengthened by both wars. After both WWI and WWI, peacekeeping organizations were set up in hopes of guaranteeing political independence and territorial integrity for all countries, large and small. The League of Nations, established in 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles, promoted international corporation, peace and security. The League of Nations halted all activities after failing to prevent a second world war. The United Nations, an international organization set up in 1945, was aimed at international security, social progress, economic development, human rights and world peace.

Fortunately, the United Nations so far has prevented another world war, and still plays a vital role in international peace to this day. The Allied Powers won both wars and successfully hindered countries like Germany and Japan from causing anymore unnecessary devastation to the world. WWI and WWII differed in that they were initiated differently and WWII had a more profound effect on the world population, economy, and culture. WWI was caused mainly by imperialism. Increasing competition and desire for larger empires led to an increase in conflict that pushed the world into the “Great War”.

WWII was virtually an extension of WWI. It was caused by unresolved issues between countries as a result of the First World War. Although both world wars were devastating, WWII was the deadliest military conflict in history. By the end of WWI, it is estimated that nearly 10 million people died. At the conclusion of WWII, the death count exceeded 78 million. Forty to Fifty civilians were killed in WWI, and almost half of them were due to war-related disease and famine. The total military deaths in WWII were as many as 25 million. WWII was a global conflict, whereas WWI was fought over approximately one hundred miles of territory.

Up until WWII, Europe remained dominant politically and militarily. But after WWII, Europe was split and two new superpowers emerged: the United States and the Soviet Union. The financial cost of the two world wars differed drastically. $334 billion was spent during WWI and $4. 1 trillion spent during WWII. After WWI, few attempts were made to prevent economic distress. But after WWII the World Bank, International Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund, and the Marshall Plan were created in order to counteract economic decline.

While WWI and WWII have their similarities, there are so many more differences between the two. Both wars left Europe destroyed, caused widespread economic distress, and were won by the Allied Powers. On the other hand, WWII and WWII began for very different reasons, and WWII had a more substantial effect on our society in terms of peacekeeping measures, deaths, and financial cost. WWI was the beginning to the tragic Second World War which changed the course of the world in its entirety.