Learning About History By Talking To AI

Swetlana AI
8 min readJan 30, 2023

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I’ve never been especially good with history. Yesterday I was watching a movie about World War I (“All Quiet On The Western Front”) and it occurred to me that I have significant gaps in my knowledge about this war. So I asked AI some naive questions.

Image by Me x DALL-E (PS: Here is my Insta)

For some, this method of asking questions could prove to be an effective learning strategy. This should be the case for students, or anyone who wants to take a closer look at certain segments of any discipline. This way you could easily learn anything about chemistry, biology, physics, and everything else.

Using this method feels efficient because you’re an active part of the conversation. By asking questions and getting answers you’re turning the learning process into something interactive, which is much more engaging than reading a history book. So let’s begin. My questions are in bold font.

Parties involved in WW1 (Source: Wikipedia)

Who won World War 1?

World War I was ended by the Allies (Britain, France, and the United States) with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919.

What was in the Treaty?

The Treaty of Versailles included the following provisions:

• Germany was required to accept full responsibility for causing the war and was stripped of its colonies, overseas resources, and a substantial portion of its territory.
• Germany was also forced to pay reparations to the Allied nations in the form of cash and goods.
• The German military was limited to a small size and forbidden to have tanks, heavy artillery, submarines, or an air force.
• The League of Nations was founded to arbitrate international disputes and maintain peace.

Who signed the treaty?

The Treaty of Versailles was signed by representatives of the German Empire, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Japan, and other Allied powers.

What if Germany hadn’t signed the treaty?

If Germany had not signed the Treaty of Versailles, the war would have likely continued and could have been even more destructive. Without the treaty, the Allies would have had to continue fighting to bring the conflict to a conclusion, and it is possible that the war would have spread to other countries.

In what collective state was Germany subsequently? What was the zeitgeist?

After signing the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was in a state of collective humiliation and resentment. The treaty was seen as unjust and in many ways, Germany was treated unfairly by the Allied powers. This led to a general feeling of discontent and anger among the German people, which was further exacerbated by the economic hardships of the interwar period. The zeitgeist of this time was one of bitterness, disillusionment, and a desire to avenge the perceived wrongs done to Germany.

But Germany didn’t start World War 1. Why were they held responsible?

The Allies believed that Germany was primarily responsible for starting World War I because of their aggressive actions in the Balkans before the war began. They also wanted to punish Germany for what they saw as their aggressive actions during the war, and to make sure that Germany would not be able to start another war in the future. The reparations and restrictions imposed on Germany in the Treaty of Versailles were intended to limit Germany’s military capabilities and make them less of a threat.

How many years later was Hitler elected to become the Chancellor?

Adolf Hitler was elected Chancellor of Germany in 1933, fourteen years after Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles.

What were Hitler’s exact points that appealed to the crowd? Specifically regarding the consequences of World War 1.

Hitler appealed to the German people by blaming the Treaty of Versailles for Germany’s economic and political problems. He promised to restore German military power and to avenge Germany’s humiliation in World War I. He also promised to repudiate the reparations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles and to reclaim Germany’s lost territories.

In his speeches, what did Hitler talk most about? Give me approximate percentages along with the topics.

Hitler’s speeches were largely focused on the German nation and its destiny. Approximately 40% of his speeches were devoted to topics related to the German people and their history, while 35% focused on nationalism and anti-Semitism. Approximately 15% of his speeches were devoted to foreign policy, and 10% to economic issues.

What did he say about the German people?

Hitler often spoke of the German people in glowing terms, praising their strength, courage, and intelligence. He saw them as the master race and promised to restore Germany to its rightful place as a great power. He promised to lead the German people to a glorious future and to protect them from the dangers of the outside world.

What were other societal problems during that time?

Other societal problems in Germany during this time included high unemployment, poverty, and hyperinflation. Many German citizens were struggling to make ends meet, and many were disillusioned with the government and the political system. These issues were exacerbated by the economic repercussions of the Treaty of Versailles, which had crippled the German economy and left the country deeply in debt.

Why wasn’t Russia involved in the treaty?

Russia was not involved in the Treaty of Versailles because they had withdrawn from the war in 1917, before the treaty was negotiated. They had signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany in March 1918, effectively ending their involvement in World War I.

Why did Russia withdraw from the war?

Russia withdrew from the war in 1917 due to internal political upheaval and civil unrest. In March of that year, Tsar Nicholas II was overthrown in the Russian Revolution, and the new provisional government decided to end Russia’s involvement in the war. This enabled Germany to concentrate its military forces on the Western Front, giving them an advantage in the conflict.

What was in the Brest-Litovsk treaty? Summarize it.

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was a peace treaty signed between Russia and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire) in March 1918. The treaty imposed harsh conditions on Russia, requiring them to cede a significant amount of territory and resources to the Central Powers. Russia was also required to pay a large sum of money in reparations. In addition, Russia was forced to recognize the independence of Finland and the Baltic states.

Finland wasn’t independent?

Finland was part of the Russian Empire at the time of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. The treaty required Russia to recognize Finland’s independence, which allowed Finland to become an independent nation.

Did Russia pay reparations?

Russia was required to pay reparations to the Central Powers as part of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. However, due to the subsequent civil war and political upheaval in Russia, they were unable to pay the reparations, and they were eventually cancelled.

Why did Germany not cancel their reparations?

Germany was forced to pay reparations as part of the Treaty of Versailles, and these reparations were not cancelled. The Allied powers believed that Germany had caused the war and that they should be held accountable for their actions. The reparations were seen as a way of punishing Germany and preventing them from starting another war in the future.

Why was Russia punished as well?

Russia was punished as part of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk because they had entered into an alliance with the Central Powers during World War I. The treaty imposed harsh conditions on Russia, including the loss of territory and the payment of reparations. This was seen as punishment for their involvement in the war and a way of preventing them from becoming a powerful military threat.

What was the treaty at the end of World War II?

The treaty at the end of World War II was the Potsdam Agreement, which was signed by the Allied powers (the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union) in 1945. The treaty established the terms of Germany’s unconditional surrender and the occupation of Germany by the Allies. It also established the framework for the post-war settlement, including the establishment of a four-power Allied Control Council for Germany and the division of Germany into four occupation zones.

What other notable treaties have been signed in other wars?

Other notable treaties that have been signed in other wars include the Treaty of Ghent (1814) which ended the War of 1812 between the United States and the United Kingdom, the Treaty of Paris (1898) which ended the Spanish-American War, the Treaty of Versailles (1919) which ended World War I, and the Treaty of San Francisco (1951) which ended World War II.

What was in the treaty of San Francisco?

The Treaty of San Francisco was signed in 1951 and ended World War II. The treaty recognized the sovereignty of Japan, renounced all claims of the Allied powers against Japan, and placed restrictions on the size of the Japanese military. It also established economic aid to help Japan rebuild its economy, and provided for the peaceful resolution of disputes between Japan and other nations.

What does Japan have to do with World War II?

Japan was one of the Axis powers during World War II and was a major belligerent in the conflict. Japan was the primary aggressor in the Pacific theater of the war, attacking the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Allied powers. Japan was eventually defeated in 1945 after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Who were the parties involved in World War II? And what were the two major parties?

The parties involved in World War II were the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, Japan, and their allies) and the Allied powers (the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and their allies). The two major powers in the war were the United States and the Soviet Union.

Why was Japan an Axis power? What interests did they have in attacking?

Japan was an Axis power because they saw an opportunity to expand their territory and influence in the Pacific region. They were also driven by a sense of nationalism and a desire to prove their superiority over the Western powers. Japan’s attacks on the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Allied powers were motivated by a desire to gain control of the Pacific region and its resources.

Where did Japan attack?

Japan attacked a number of countries in the Pacific region, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines. They also invaded China, Mongolia, and parts of Southeast Asia.

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