Effects of the First World War Then and Now - Coursework Example

Running Header: UK History Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code: Date of Submission: UK History Introduction In 1707, there was the political union of three states. They included England, Wales and Scotland. This was recorded in the Acts of the Union 1707 (Black 1996). This merger was held onto until 1800, when the Kingdom of Ireland decided to join the merger. The confederates held onto the merger until 1927 (Bogdanor 2005). It was at this time that the states under the merger broke away to form their own independent states. Historically, there are very many things that have affected the UK or Britain as it is fondly named. The historical observations and opinions have influenced the way that the country relates to other countries and solves internal and external disputes. This paper aims to look at three selected issues and how they have affected the UK. One of the issues to be observed includes the entry of the UK into the First World War. This was in the 19th century, and the specific reasons that led the country to join in the war. They had made a decision not to join any of the allied or axis powers in the First World War (Welsh 2003). The paper will also look at the effects of the Great Depression in the UK. This is to understand what has led to the economic and industrial strength of the country to date. The third issue that will be looked at includes the act by Tony Blair to join forces with the American troops in 2003. This was during the time when America was struggling greatly with terrorism and all its activities. The paper will look at the three mentioned issues because they offer insight and analysis into the political, economic and social journey of the United Kingdom. First World War The First World War has been defined as a war that was started by two nations. These nations included Serbia and Australia. Franz Ferdinand was the archduke of Australia until his assassination. This was in 1914 (Bogdanor 2005). At this time, his assassination was linked to a Serbian national. The death then sparked a war between the two nations. It should be realized that there were very many factors that were involved in the entry and participation of the First World War. There were allied, central and axis states. After the assassination, the unity was formed under the principles of either central, allied or axis states. The United Kingdom, France and Russia were on one side. Countries for example Germany and the Austrian- Hungary and the central powers were on the other side (Pagden 1998). After the assassination of the archduke, Austrian-Hungarian Empire went on the offensive and attacked the nation of Serbia. The union of the empires had seen the unions and their allies strengthened against their known or unknown foes. The attack on Serbia was very offending to the Russians. They joined the fray by swearing to avenge the attack of their allies, the Serbians. This meant that they were on the warpath with the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. By this declaration, they were attracting the Germans into the war. This is because for the longest time, the Germans had strong ties with the Austrian-Hungarian Empire (Welsh 2003) Germany decided that it was crucial to declare war on the Russians. At this point the United Kingdom and France were monitoring issues from the sidelines. After the declaration of war on Russia by Germany, their alliance and allegiance to the state of Russia was tested. France entered the war at this point. UK on the other hand, took time before it entered the war. It has been analyzed that the Germans wanted the United Kingdom to join the war. This is one of the reasons as to why the attacked Belgium which had nothing to do with the Serbia and Austrian-Hungarian conflict. The Germans knew of the treaty between the states of UK and Belgium. The treaty stated that the UK would protect the Belgium state using all costs and means. They chose to attack Belgium because they knew that there was no way the country could defend itself. They also knew that the UK would definitely join the war. The allied forces of British and France caused a lot of damage and turmoil on the German team and their partners. Many people were killed as a result. The Germans made many mistakes as they continued to fight off the French and British forces and their allies. They attacked ships that were travelling to other areas in the British waters. The US lost many civilians who were travelling in ships across the UK waters (Lawrence 2001). At this point the US has not joined any forces that were participating in the war. The UK and France lost many of their civilians and soldiers who had enlisted in the war. Their economies were hard hit as they struggled to make adjustments to win the war. Finally in 1918, the Germans surrendered to the British troops and all her allies. This was because after the entry of the US into the war in 1917, the pressure on the Germans was very high (Welsh 2003). The United States and the power she commanded ensured that the ability to push out the Germans and her partners was felt in all the ways and means. The surrender meant that the UK and her partners had effectively participated in the First World War and emerged victorious. Effects of the First World War then and Now Many people may not understand the connection of the events of the First World War in the UK then and now. However, the effects of the war are many and varied. After the war there were very many alliances that were formed to help get through the tough economic times after the war. Currently the UK administration ensured that it formed very many policies as a result of its general involvement in the First World War. The sacrifices of all those that participated in the war were not appreciated at that time. Britain takes the time to appreciate each and every person who has made contributions to the growth and sustainability of the country. The strained relationships between the country and many others have been straightened out. This is especially the case when the United Nations gave the UK the mandate to spearhead the League of Nations. This advocated for peaceful talks and negotiations before the introduction and use of armed conflict between nations. The effects of the First World War have also ensured that Britain remains a purely neutral state. Its neutrality is witnessed in the way that it is rarely drawn into battles that it does not understand. It takes time before it accepts the invitation to take sides. This has led to the growth and maturity of the political decisions that it has made over the years. This is through the experience and consensus of the leadership structure of the UK governance structure (Lawrence 2001). This means that all the decisions made have to be agreed upon by all the involved parties. The state of the nations and its citizens is always put first. This is a lesson learnt from the very many lives that were lost during the First World War. References Black, JA, 1996, A history of the British Isles, US, Macmillan Publishers.   Bogdanor, V, 2005, The British Constitution in the Twentieth Century, Oxford, Oxford University Press.   Lawrence, J, 2001, The Rise and Fall of the British Empire. Chicago, Abacus Press. Pagden, A, 1998, The Origins of Empire, The Oxford History of the British Empire, Oxford, Oxford University Press. Welsh, F, 2003, The Four Nations, A history of the United Kingdom, New York, Yale Publishers.  Read More