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The First World War (1914-1918): the consequences
The First World War has consequences in France and in the world. It is a world war: it involves states from all continents.
Key points of the sheet
- The United States joins in 1917. The Middle East is also mobilised, and Asian and African soldiers come from the colonies.
- The war is total: it mobilises the whole of society. The whole economy, culture and propaganda take part in the conflict.
- On the human level, there are more than 10 million dead, including 9 million soldiers. There are also millions of wounded and traumatised soldiers, widows and orphans.
- On the economic level, the war causes many debts. Territories in the North-East of France are devastated.
- The Treaty of Versailles makes Germany responsible for the conflict. It loses territories and must pay heavy reparations.
- The treaty founds the League of Nations to keep peace in the world. In Europe, major social waves break out, influenced by the Russian revolution.
Words to know
- total (war) (totale)
- The war is total because it mobilises the whole of society.
- propaganda (propagande)
- It is the will to influence public opinion.
- Treaty of Versailles (traité de Versailles)
- This treaty makes Germany responsible for the conflict and founds the League of Nations.
- League of Nations (Société des Nations)
- It is an organisation to keep peace in the world.
- reparations (réparations)
- Under the Treaty of Versailles, Germany must pay heavy reparations.
- Russian revolution (révolution russe)
- It influences major social waves in Europe.
Test yourself: 3 questions
How many deaths does the First World War cause?
In French, the language of the exam: Combien de morts fait la Première Guerre mondiale ?
The First World War causes more than 10 million deaths, including 9 million soldiers.
Which organisation does the Treaty of Versailles found?
In French, the language of the exam: Quelle organisation le traité de Versailles fonde-t-il ?
The Treaty of Versailles founds the League of Nations to keep peace in the world.
Which part of France is devastated by the war?
In French, the language of the exam: Quelle partie de la France est dévastée par la guerre ?
The war causes the devastation of territories, in the North-East of France.
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Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet
More in this topic (World conflicts and the new world order)
- World conflicts: the Second World War (1939-1945) (2/3)
- World conflicts: the Second World War (1939-1945) (3/3)
- The Second World War (1939-1945): the consequences
Source
Sheet “La Première Guerre mondiale (1914-1918) : les conséquences” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.