Democracy After World War 1

Lesson Plan - Get It!

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Origins of Democracy

Democracy started in Ancient Athens over two thousand years ago.

It came in many forms over the centuries, but Europe mainly had ditched it by the Middle Ages. Back then, kings and queens ruled, living lavish lives with much power.

But this didn't mean people didn't want a say in their government. The American colonies were so unhappy about not being represented that they broke away and formed their own country based on democratic values.

A few years later, the French also had enough of their king. They kicked him out and started the first democracy in a major European country.

In the 19th century, European monarchs tried hard to stop democratic movements. Revolutions popped up everywhere, but most of them failed. However, by 1900, France had firmly established itself as a stable democracy.

Across the English Channel, Great Britain had a unique Constitutional Monarchy system. Starting with the Magna Carta in 1215, Parliament slowly limited what the king could do. By 1900, only wealthy white men could vote.

World War I

Part of World War I was fought along the Western Front, which barely moved.

Trench warfare and new weapons made the German invasion of France almost impossible. To get a feel for what it was like, watch the video below and consider how mass destruction might weaken monarchies and strengthen democracy.

People could feel the shockwaves of the war across the English Channel in London. Not only did they know what these vibrations were, but they could also feel how destructive the war had become.

After thousands of square miles of land were destroyed and millions of soldiers died, people began to distrust the governments that sent them into these deadly battles.

The popular belief was that if young men were going to war, they should have representation in the government making those decisions.

Repercussions

French soldiers fought hard for their government because Germany invaded France. This war strengthened the unity of the French people behind their democracy.

The French economy stayed strong, and after the war, France was more confident than ever in their democratic government.

In the United States, victory in WWI made Americans believe they were progressing. The U.S. had never lost a war, and this win showed voters they had elected the right leader, Woodrow Wilson.

While many Americans initially didn't want to join the European War, the victory suggested getting involved in wars might be beneficial.

In Great Britain, the situation was different.

Without a revolution, England slowly gave more rights to its population. However, when WWI started, most British soldiers didn't have representation in the government.

After the war's massive destruction, the British monarchy had to give up more power.

Parliament finally allowed all men over 21 to vote, regardless of land ownership or social status. Within ten years, all women gained the right to vote, too.

Result

In a world war, everyone in a country has to work hard for the war effort. But you can't expect soldiers or factory workers to give their all if they have nothing to lose.

The need for women to work in factories and the desire to draft millions of men meant people now expected a say in their government.

While universal suffrage didn't come immediately after WWI, the expectation of representation spread democracy to more people than ever before.

Head over to the Got It? section to ensure you understand how representation helped these three countries succeed in the war.