PRESENTATION

WORLD HISTORY CIVILIZATION

The First WORLD WAR 1

Submitted to:
MS.Irum javed
Submitted by:
Bibi Afroza
Sameen Naz
Zainab khan
Sundas
Hafsa faraqat
 Introduction

World War I (1914–1918), known as the "Great War," was a global conflict
involving over 30 countries. Rooted in militarism, alliances, imperialism, and
nationalism, the war was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz
Ferdinand of Austria on June 28, 1914. The conflict began on July 28, 1914, and
featured unprecedented warfare, such as trench battles and chemical weapons,
causing an estimated 17 million deaths. It ended on November 11, 1918, with the
Treaty of Versailles signed on June 28, 1919, reshaping global politics and
societies while laying the groundwork for future conflicts.

Causes
The causes of World War I were deeply rooted in the political and social dynamics
of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Key factors included:
 1. Militarism: The aggressive build-up of armed forces and the glorification of
military power created an arms race among European powers.
2. Alliances: The formation of rival blocs, such as the Triple Entente (France,
Russia, and Britain) and the Triple Alliance (Germany,
Austria-Hungary, and Italy), heightened tensions.
3. Imperialism: Competition for colonies and global dominance fueled
rivalries among nations.
4. Nationalism: Intense national pride and ethnic tensions, particularly in the
Balkans, acted as a powder keg for conflict.

Invention of World War:

The "invention" of World War is not about the creation of a specific tool or event
but rather the emergence of a concept—a global conflict involving multiple nations
on an unprecedented scale. World War I and World War II marked the first
instances of such wars in modern history, stemming from the interplay of
technological, political, and social advancements.
1 . Machine Gun:

The machine gun was a revolutionary weapon that had a profound

impact on the nature of warfare during World War I. It transformed the
battlefield, making traditional tactics obsolete and leading to the
development of trench warfare.

Impact on Warfare:

* Defensive Dominance: Machine guns were incredibly effective

defensive weapons. They could fire hundreds of rounds per minute,
creating a dense curtain of fire that was almost impossible for infantry to
penetrate. This made it difficult for attackers to advance, leading to the
development of trench warfare.

* Psychological Impact: The constant threat of machine gun fire had a

significant psychological impact on soldiers, instilling fear and anxiety.

Key Machine Gun Models:

* Maxim Gun: One of the most famous machine guns of the era, the
Maxim was a heavy, water-cooled weapon that could fire up to 600
rounds per minute.

* Vickers Machine Gun: The British Vickers machine gun was

another powerful weapon that was widely used during the war. It was
more reliable and easier to maintain than the Maxim.

* Lewis Gun: The Lewis gun was a lighter machine gun that could be
carried by a single soldier. It was often used by infantry units to provide
close-range support.

2. Flamethrower:
The flamethrower was a terrifying weapon introduced during World War I. It was
first used by the German army in 1915 and quickly became a feared weapon on the
battlefield.

How it worked: Flamethrowers worked by pressurizing a tank of flammable

liquid, usually gasoline, and then expelling it through a hose and nozzle. The liquid
was ignited as it left the nozzle, creating a long, fiery stream that could reach up to
30 meters.

Impact on Warfare:

* Psychological Weapon: The flamethrower was as much a psychological

weapon as it was a physical one. The fear of being burned alive was terrifying, and
it could demoralize enemy troops.

* Clearing Trenches: Flamethrowers were particularly effective at clearing

enemy trenches. The intense heat and flames could drive out defenders and destroy
their positions.

* Limited Range and Duration: However, flamethrowers had limitations. They

had a short range and a limited amount of fuel, so they had to be used strategically.

3. Synthetic Chemicals (Ammonia)

● Introduction: The Haber-Bosch process, invented in the early 20th century,

allowed for the synthetic production of ammonia, initially for fertilizers.
● War Application:
 o During World War I, Germany used ammonia for explosives (e.g.,
TNT) when cut off from natural sources like Chilean nitrates.
o Ammonia became essential in manufacturing chemical weapons and
munitions.
● Impact:
o The process supported prolonged warfare by enabling sustained
ammunition production.
o It also laid the groundwork for post-war agricultural advancements.

4. Tank

● Development: Tanks were introduced during World War I to overcome the

stalemate of trench warfare. Early models like the British Mark I debuted in
1916.
● Advancements:
o By World War II, tanks like the German Panzer, American Sherman,
and Soviet T-34 were highly mobile and heavily armored.
● Impact:
o Tanks revolutionized ground warfare, enabling rapid offensives (e.g.,
Blitzkrieg tactics).
o They became central to modern military strategies, combining
firepower, mobility, and protection.

The Impact of World War I

World War I (1914–1918) left a profound mark on the world, shaping the
sociopolitical landscape and setting the stage for major global changes. Key
impacts include the rise of sociopolitical movements and the geopolitical
consequences of the Treaty of Versailles.

1. Sociopolitical Change

The Russian Revolution:

● The immense strain of the war on Russia's economy and society led to the
collapse of the Romanov dynasty in 1917.
● The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, seized power in the October Revolution,
establishing a communist government. This marked the beginning of the
Soviet Union and inspired socialist movements worldwide.

Women’s Empowerment in Britain:

● As men went to war, women took on roles traditionally held by men, such as
working in factories, driving ambulances, and participating in other essential
services.
● This shift contributed to the suffrage movement, leading to British women
over 30 gaining the right to vote in 1918.

Austria-Hungary and Germany Become Republics:

● The war's conclusion saw the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire,

leading to the formation of republics such as Austria, Hungary, and
Czechoslovakia.
 ● In Germany, the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1918 ended the
monarchy, and the Weimar Republic was established, though it faced
significant political and economic instability.

2. The Treaty of Versailles and Its Impact on Germany

● The Treaty of Versailles (1919):

o Signed on June 28, 1919, the treaty officially ended World War I. It
imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including:
▪ Accepting full blame for the war (the "war guilt clause").

▪ Paying heavy reparations (132 billion gold marks).

▪ Losing significant territory, including Alsace-Lorraine to

France.
▪ Military restrictions, reducing the German army to 100,000

troops and banning conscription, tanks, and an air force.

● Impact on Germany:
o Economic hardship: Reparations devastated Germany’s economy,
contributing to hyperinflation and mass unemployment in the 1920s.
o Political instability: Public resentment of the treaty fueled extremism,
paving the way for Adolf Hitler and the rise of the Nazi Party.
o Geopolitical tensions: The treaty's punitive measures sowed the seeds
of World War II by fostering hostility and a desire for revenge in
Germany.

Battles of World War I

● The battles of World War I were large-scale military engagements fought
between 1914 and 1918 across various fronts, including Europe, the Middle
East, and Africa. These battles were characterized by trench warfare,
massive casualties, and the use of modern weaponry such as machine guns,
artillery, tanks, and chemical weapons.
● One notable example is the Battle of the Somme (1916), a pivotal and
devastating engagement on the Western Front, symbolizing the brutality and
stalemate of the war. These battles reshaped military tactics and had
profound political, social, and human consequences.

● The Battle of the Somme (1916)

The Battle of the Somme, fought from July 1 to November 18, 1916, was a
major World War I conflict on the Western Front. The Allies, led by Britain and
France, aimed to weaken German forces and relieve pressure on French troops
at Verdun. Despite a massive artillery bombardment, the offensive saw heavy
Allied losses, with 57,000 British casualties on the first day alone, the highest
in British military history.
Over four months of trench warfare and repeated offensives, the Allies advanced
only 6 miles (10 km) at the cost of over 1 million casualties (623,000 Allied and
465,000 German). The battle introduced tanks to warfare and highlighted the
deadly efficiency of modern weaponry like machine guns and heavy artillery.
While the battle failed to deliver a decisive victory, it significantly weakened
German forces and exposed the limitations of traditional military strategies.

End of World War I and the Role of the USA

World War I ended on November 11, 1918, with the signing of an armistice
between the Allies and Germany, marking the cessation of hostilities. The war's
official conclusion came with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in June 1919,
which imposed harsh penalties on Germany and redrew the political map of
Europe.

Role of the USA:

● The United States initially remained neutral in the conflict, but its
involvement significantly impacted the outcome of the war.
● Entry into the War: In April 1917, the US declared war on Germany after
unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany (including the sinking of the
Lusitania) and the interception of the Zimmermann Telegram, in which
Germany tried to persuade Mexico to attack the United States.
● Military and Economic Support: The US provided critical military support
and resources to the Allies, including fresh troops, ammunition, and food
supplies, which helped tip the balance in favor of the Allied powers.
Impact on the War's End: American troops and resources helped break the
stalemate on the Western Front, and their arrival in large numbers in 1918
contributed to the final push that led to Germany's surrender.

Conclusion

World War I, one of the deadliest conflicts in history, reshaped the world in
profound ways. The war caused immense human loss, technological advancements
in warfare, and dramatic sociopolitical changes. The United States played a pivotal
role in the conflict's conclusion, providing the necessary support that helped the
Allies achieve victory. However, the Treaty of Versailles, while ending the war,
created political instability, particularly in Germany, leading to future global
conflicts, including World War II. The war left lasting scars and set the stage for
significant shifts in global power, ultimately transforming the international order.