To what extent was WWI a turning point in the effectiveness of alliances in determining the
outcome of wars in the period 1792-1945?
● In the period, alliances could determine the outcome of wars through the effective impact of
the combined economic resources they provided (both financial and industrial), and the
coordinated strategy of allied armies.
○ Certainly evidence that WWI was a turning point (that is a striking change with lasting
impact) in the impact of the balance of economic resources (both financial and
industrial) in determining the outcome of war, which was in turn determined by
effective alliances.
○ However, there is not evidence to suggest that WWI was a turning point in the
effectiveness of coordinated strategy of allied armies in determining the outcome of
war, with more striking turning points seen in WWII and the Napoleonic Wars.
Certainly evidence WWI turning point in the impact of the balance of economic resources determine
the outcome of war, which was in turn determined by effective alliances.
● WWI
○ In 1917, as the US join the Entente alliance, Central Powers produced just 19% of
world manufacturing output, while the Entente powers produced 65%.
■ Decisive impact
● while Entente powers had a balance between agricultural and industrial
output, Germany was forced to concentrate on industry while neglecting
agriculture, leading to German surrender in 1918 as insufficient food
had led to over 760,000 citizens dying from starvation.
● Lasting impact of combined economic resources seen in WWII, with the US lend-lease
programme, starting in 1941, proving crucial in determining Allied victory
○ Eg. Perhaps most strikingly, USA supplied USSR with vital economic resources such
as 400,000 trucks, 7,000 tanks and 11,400 aircraft, allowing USSR to counter-attack
German Operation Barbarossa in 1943 at Stalingrad and thus turn the tide of war back
against Germany.
● By contrast, during the 19th Century the impact of alliances was very limited
○ For example alliances in the 1866 Austro-Prussian war had little to do with Prussian
victory, as evidenced by the fact that Prussia's ally Italy suffered multiple defeats to
Austria (such as at Custoza and Lissa in 1866).
● However, it could be argued that a similar economic alliance had played a significant role in
the outcome of the Napoleonic Wars, with Britain lending over £10 million to the 6th coalition
which decisively defeated Napoleon at Leipzig (1813)
○ That said, the economic aspect of this alliance was merely financial, while the impact
of combined industrial strength between allies was not seen until WWI.
● ⇒ Therefore clear evidence that WWI was a turning point in the impact of alliances in
determining the outcome of war through its impact on the balance of resources
outcome of wars in the period 1792-1945?
● In the period, alliances could determine the outcome of wars through the effective impact of
the combined economic resources they provided (both financial and industrial), and the
coordinated strategy of allied armies.
○ Certainly evidence that WWI was a turning point (that is a striking change with lasting
impact) in the impact of the balance of economic resources (both financial and
industrial) in determining the outcome of war, which was in turn determined by
effective alliances.
○ However, there is not evidence to suggest that WWI was a turning point in the
effectiveness of coordinated strategy of allied armies in determining the outcome of
war, with more striking turning points seen in WWII and the Napoleonic Wars.
Certainly evidence WWI turning point in the impact of the balance of economic resources determine
the outcome of war, which was in turn determined by effective alliances.
● WWI
○ In 1917, as the US join the Entente alliance, Central Powers produced just 19% of
world manufacturing output, while the Entente powers produced 65%.
■ Decisive impact
● while Entente powers had a balance between agricultural and industrial
output, Germany was forced to concentrate on industry while neglecting
agriculture, leading to German surrender in 1918 as insufficient food
had led to over 760,000 citizens dying from starvation.
● Lasting impact of combined economic resources seen in WWII, with the US lend-lease
programme, starting in 1941, proving crucial in determining Allied victory
○ Eg. Perhaps most strikingly, USA supplied USSR with vital economic resources such
as 400,000 trucks, 7,000 tanks and 11,400 aircraft, allowing USSR to counter-attack
German Operation Barbarossa in 1943 at Stalingrad and thus turn the tide of war back
against Germany.
● By contrast, during the 19th Century the impact of alliances was very limited
○ For example alliances in the 1866 Austro-Prussian war had little to do with Prussian
victory, as evidenced by the fact that Prussia's ally Italy suffered multiple defeats to
Austria (such as at Custoza and Lissa in 1866).
● However, it could be argued that a similar economic alliance had played a significant role in
the outcome of the Napoleonic Wars, with Britain lending over £10 million to the 6th coalition
which decisively defeated Napoleon at Leipzig (1813)
○ That said, the economic aspect of this alliance was merely financial, while the impact
of combined industrial strength between allies was not seen until WWI.
● ⇒ Therefore clear evidence that WWI was a turning point in the impact of alliances in
determining the outcome of war through its impact on the balance of resources
