World War I (1914–1918)
World War I, often called the "Great War," was a global conflict primarily
fought in Europe. It began on July 28, 1914, and ended on November 11,
1918. The war was one of the deadliest conflicts in history, reshaping
nations, economies, and politics worldwide.
Causes of the War
1. Militarism: European nations expanded their military forces, creating
an arms race and fostering tension.
2. Alliances: Two major alliance systems developed:
o Triple Entente: France, Russia, and Britain.
o Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (though
Italy switched sides in 1915).
3. Imperialism: Rivalries over colonial territories heightened tensions,
particularly in Africa and Asia.
4. Nationalism: Intense pride and competition among nations, as well as
ethnic tensions in multi-ethnic empires like Austria-Hungary.
5. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand: The heir to the
Austro-Hungarian throne was assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo
Princip, a Serbian nationalist, sparking the war.
Major Participants
Allied Powers: France, Britain, Russia, Italy (from 1915), Japan, and
later the United States (1917).
Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and
Bulgaria.
Key Fronts and Battles
1. Western Front: A stalemated front in France and Belgium dominated
by trench warfare. Major battles included:
o Battle of the Somme (1916)
o Battle of Verdun (1916)
o Second Battle of Ypres (1915)
2. Eastern Front: A more mobile conflict between Germany, Austria-
Hungary, and Russia.
3. Gallipoli Campaign (1915–1916): A failed Allied attempt to secure a
route to Russia through the Dardanelles.
4. Other Fronts: Conflicts extended to the Middle East, Africa, and the
seas (notably the Battle of Jutland in 1916).
Technological and Tactical Advancements
Introduction of tanks, airplanes, and chemical weapons like mustard
gas.
Widespread use of machine guns and artillery led to devastating
losses.
Submarine warfare, especially Germany's unrestricted U-boat
campaigns, impacted trade and brought the U.S. into the war.
The End of the War
The war ended with the defeat of the Central Powers:
In 1917, the U.S. entered the war, bolstering Allied forces.
Russia exited after the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, signing the Treaty of
Brest-Litovsk.
The Central Powers suffered severe defeats in 1918, leading to
armistice agreements.
The Armistice of November 11, 1918, brought an end to fighting, though
formal peace came with the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.
Consequences of the War
1. Human Cost: Over 16 million deaths (soldiers and civilians) and
millions more wounded.
2. Political Changes: Collapse of empires (Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman,
German, Russian) and the creation of new nations like Yugoslavia,
Czechoslovakia, and Poland.
3. Economic Impact: Massive economic devastation in Europe, laying
the groundwork for future crises.
4. Versailles Treaty: Imposed harsh penalties on Germany, leading to
resentment and setting the stage for World War II.
5. League of Nations: Formed to prevent future conflicts, though its
effectiveness was limited.
