SOCIAL SCIENCE 3

IMPACT OF WORLD WAR I MODULE 1 LESSON 1.2

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

 determine the extent and impact of World War I to the different aspects of life.

Suggested Time: 1 min | Actual Time Spent: ____min(s)

If you were living in the times when WWI happened and you were given a chance to write a letter for
the future generations, what piece of advice would you give to avoid war? How will you encourage
them to promote peace?

Suggested Time: 1 min | Actual Time Spent: ____min(s)

In our previous discussion, you have learned about the causes of World War I. In this section,
we will be studying the impacts of the war. When the war ended, many nations hoped that it would also
be the “end of all wars.” You will find out as we go on with our lessons if it really did so.

EFFECTS OF THE GREAT WAR

According to Beck, et al. (2012), around 8.5 million combatants died due to the war, more or
less 21 million were wounded, and an estimation of $338 billion were lost because of the war. Let us
not also forget the 10 million civilians who died, and millions of others who survived, but lost their
livelihoods and properties.
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.
WORLD WAR I STATISTICS

The illustration was lifted from World History: Patterns of Interaction

If we look at the statistics above, it is so sad to think that millions of people died because of
war. With the heavy casualties from both sides, manpower became a great concern. Germany and
France were two of the nations that were greatly affected in Eastern and Central Europe. Russia on the
Eastern side was also badly hurt. The Ottoman Empire lost much of its territories. These nations have
sent most of their male populations (between the ages of 15 and 49) into battle, which really impacted
their human resources (History.com). The war caused the collapse of four empires (Ottoman Empire,
Russian Empire, Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the German Empire).

LEGACIES OF THE WAR

Despite its dreadful effects, here are some of the significant changes brought by war which can
still be seen today.

A. Establishment of international organizations. After World War I, the League of Nations was
established to promote long lasting peace. Though it did not really achieve its goal, it gave realizations
that nations may form a stronger organization that could give them protection from aggressive nations.
At present, we have the United Nations and other international organizations that aim to promote peace
and the preservation of human lives.

B. Engagement of women in the workplace. The death of millions of men necessitates millions of
women to enter the workforce. Manpower literally sank, and the job must still go on. Economies must
thrive for societies to survive. For so long, many European societies viewed women as inferior to men,
but after the war, everybody’s presence and contribution to whatever work there was suddenly became
important.

C. Advancement of technology. Warfare materials, radio communications, and other

telecommunication tools were introduced during World War I. After the war, different nations devoted
themselves in developing technologies that would help them cope with the demands of time. Since some

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PSHS Social Science 3: World History 2 | Page 2 of 5

of their properties, and livelihoods were destroyed by the war, it encouraged people to become
innovative. In the long run, these innovations aided their economies.

D. Many nations became independent. After the war, many nations gained their independence.
Tanzman (2018) identified some of the effects of the war in the different regions:

a) Europe: many nations emerged from Austria-Hungary (Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia,

Yugoslavia, Poland, and three Baltic countries (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia- these got their
independence due to the revolutions in Russia, and were granted independence after WWI).

b) Africa: United Kingdom, France, Belgium, and South Africa controlled former German
colonies in Africa.

c) Asia: Germany lost its control over Shandong (in China), German colonies in the Pacific such
as Samoa and New Guinea were given under the care of the United Kingdom, New Zealand,
and Australia.

We may not have personally witnessed the war, but the fact that we can imagine how hard it
was for survivors to rebuild their lives after that catastrophe should compel our minds and hearts to
commit ourselves in the promotion of peace. The horrors of the war left a deep scar in every person
who have seen the cruelty of the human mind and the hatred of the human heart that surely haunted
them for the rest of their lives. The thought that it was not caused by a natural disaster, but that of
humans’ failure to reconcile their differences and ambitions makes it unbearable to think if humans are
still considered as rational beings.

Suggested Time: 15 min | Actual Time Spent: ____min(s)

Short Response: GRADED (5/5)

“All war is a symptom of man’s failure as a thinking animal” – John Steinbeck

Do you agree with John Steinbeck’s statement? Briefly explain your answer. Be guided by the given
criteria.

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 INDICATORS 5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points
ORGANIZATION Ideas are presented Most of the ideas Some ideas are Ideas are not
in logical order with are in logical order not presented in presented in
effective transitions with adequate proper order. proper order.
between major transitions between
points. most major points.
CONTNENT Content is Content is Limited content Minimal content
substantial, specific, sufficiently with inadequate
and illustrative developed with elaboration or
demonstrating adequate explanation.
strong development elaboration or
of ideas explanation
ARGUMENTATION Arguments/insights Arguments/insights Arguments/insigh Minimal
provided are provided are ts provided are arguments/insight
sensible and well somewhat sensible very limited s provided in the
explained and well explained essay.
This criteria is adopted from Mr. Erin dela Cruz.

Suggested Time: 12 min | Actual Time Spent: ____min(s)

The death of millions of people, and the unimaginable destruction of lives and properties
supposedly encouraged leaders to think about policies and treaties to promote long lasting peace; but
undeniably, even the League of Nations failed to fulfill its ultimate goal-to promote long lasting peace.
The defeated nations were punished, and were stripped off large colonies by the victors which heightened
hatred and revenge that would soon fuel another war.

Suggested Time: 1 min | Actual Time Spent: ____min(s)

References:
*Lay-out and Design of Learning Guide Credit: Nneka B. Evangelista, SS 5 Teacher, PSHS-
CALABARZON Campus

Beck, R. B., Black, L., Krieger, L., Naylor, P. C., & Shabaka, D. I. (2014). Chapter 20 Section 2
European Nations Settle North America. In World history: Patterns of interaction. Orlando,
FL: Holt McDougal/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

History.com Editors. (2009, October 29). World War I. Retrieved January 08, 2021, from
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/world-war-i-history
Tanzman, H. (2018, November 29). How World War I Changed Map of the World. Retrieved January
08, 2021, from

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released to third parties with approval of management. Document is uncontrolled unless otherwise marked; uncontrolled document are
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 https://www.realclearhistory.com/articles/2018/11/29/how_world_war_i_changed_map_of_the
_world_389.html

Prepared by: Zandra B. Lid-ayan Reviewed by: Joemar C. Ramos

Position: Special Science Teacher II Position: Special Science Teacher II
Campus: PSHS-IRC Campus: PSHS-WVC

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