History has shown us time and time again that societies will go to war with other territories to improve their economic status. Whether this is to obtain land, to capture slaves, to steal wealth, to break from oppressive control from others or to overthrow the leaders and seize power over a region – all have some economic basis. All war and conflict appears to have some link to an improvement in technology, the acquisition of land or territories and the growth of societies. For societies to thrive they do need some form of economic improvement; but the question of whether war is a necessary element for that growth can be questioned. However, if we look all major wars through history, it does seem obvious that war is necessary for economic development to take place and can be caused by inadequate economic progress.
The causes of World War 1 were predominantly economic, as most countries at this time were extremely Nationalistic and wanted the best for their homeland. (TOPIC SENTENCE) Imperialist notions of expanding the wealth of a Nation were appealing, as expanding the military, grabbing land and colonising foreign regions to increase the resources of a country, was seen as a means of economic expansion to secure a better position in the world. (EXPLAIN) Some believe that‘Nationalism became a faith filling a spiritual void'[1]after the decline of the power of the Church. (To insert footnotes, then go to ‘References’ and press ‘Insert Footnotes’, each time you add in a reference or information from somewhere else). However, hatred of other nations and opposing political ideologies relates to the desire to protect an advantageous position in the world or to obtain one and to do this, a nation must protect or develop its economy; and the basis for all economies begins with land and who controls it. ETC ETC
(EVIDENCE – Specific example or reference)
(LINK – RETURN TO TOPIC – How was the initiation of WW1 related to economics? How aHo
Were the causes of WW1 economic? (Paragraph 1 – economic reasons why WW1 began)↓
How did WW1 generate economic growth in Europe? (Paragraph 2 – explain with reference to specific countries (Europe), the factors of economic progress)↓
How did WW1 influence economic development in Australia? (Paragraph 3 – Australia’s development during WW1)↓
Explain how the roaring twenties and the development of modern America were linked to war. (Paragraph 4 – Discuss the economic developments of the 1920s)↓
How did the Treaty of Versailles create an Economic reason for WW2? (Paragraph 5 – Discuss how this treaty influenced Germany economically and provided reasons for further conflict)↓
How was The Great Depression related to WW2? (Paragraph 6 – Discuss the depression and how war turned this around)↓
What economic developments took place in WW2 that changed the world? (Paragraph 6 – Discuss in a general way the relationship between economics and WW2)↓
CONCLUSION – Evaluate your discussion. What is the relationship between war/conflict and economic progress? What associations have you identified throughout history?[1]