World War One (WWI), also called the Great War, was between 1914 and 1918. WW1 was one of the deadliest wars in history, fighting involved countries not just from Europe but from all over the world. WWI changed political systems, destroyed empires, and changed the world in a number of ways that are still felt today.
Causes of the War
There were a number of factors that led to the start of World War One:
Nationalism – Countries such as Germany, France, and Britain had extreme nationalist pride and competition.
Imperialism – European powers were competing for colonies in Africa and Asia, this created rivalry and tension.
Militarism – Countries built up very powerful armies and weapons and believed war was a show of strength.
Alliances – Europe was divided into two large alliances:
Triple Entente: France, Russia, and Britain.
Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
The Spark – Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. This was a significant event that created a domino effect and brought the alliances into a war.
Important Events of The War
1914: Germany invaded Belgium and Britain joined the war. Fighting began on the Western Front.
1915-1916: Trench warfare was dominant across Europe, in particular France. Famous battles like Verdun and the Somme led to millions of deaths.
1917: The United States entered the war after Germany would sink their ships with submarine attacks and the infamous Zimmermann Telegram.
1918: Germany launched a final offensive but was pushed back by the Allied forces. The war officially ended on November 11, 1918, when the armistice agreement was signed.
Consequences of the War
Massive loss of life – Approximately 20 million people died, both soldiers and civilians.
Collapsed empires – Power was lost in the Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary, Germany and Russia.
New nations – New countries emerged, like Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia.
Treaty of Versailles – (1919). Germany was blamed for the war and forced to pay reparations, and lose territory.
Seeds of World War Two – the harsh peace terms and Germany’s economic struggles later led to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Second World War.
Legacy
World War One was referred to as “the war to end all wars”, however, it ultimately sowed the seeds for wars to come. The war also was a turning point in terms of technological advancements, advances in medicine, and put international relations on a new path. World War One will always serve as a reminder of human ambition and the tragedy of conflict.
