First World War

Introduction

Many nations took part in a large conflict known as the Great War or World War I from July 1914 to November 1918. Nearly 17 million people had died by the time the war was over. War's origins are significantly more complex than that, and they cannot be adequately explained by a concise list of factors. The struggle was the deadliest and most horrific in human history. The conflict altered the global political landscape and helped prepare the path for numerous revolutions in many of the participating countries

In this tutorial, we will be briefing you on many such aspects of World War I. The reasons, immediate cause, uniqueness of the war, repercussions, and what happened after the war.

Reasons which Led to the Great War or World War I

There were many reasons responsible for World War I, but they all can be categorized into 4 major categories −

• Militarism − As the 20th century began, an arms race began. By 1914, Germany had increased its military expenditures the most. Germany and Britain also saw a large increase in their vessel populations during this period. Additionally, in Germany and Russia, the military establishment began to have a bigger influence on public policy. The militarization of the world played a significant role in the countries at war.

• The alliance system − Europe's nations eventually agreed to mutual defense pacts that would push them into war. In the case of an attack, these agreements mandated that allied governments defend one another.

The following alliances predated World War 1 −

• Serbia and Russia

• Austria-Hungary and Germany

• Russia and France

• Belgium, France, and Great Britain

• Britain and Japan.

After Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia stepped in to protect the country. Germany saw Russia mobilize and then declared war on it. The war between Germany and Austria-Hungary then included France. Germany used Belgium as a launchpad for an assault on France, which involved Britain. Japan then joined the conflict. Italy and the United States eventually fought with the allies.

• Imperialism − When a country conquers additional territories and utilizes them to increase its power and wealth, it is called imperialism. Prior to World War I, Europe had territorial disputes with Africa and with parts of Asia. Given the accessibility of raw resources in these areas, this was especially important for various nations. Growing competition and the drive for more powerful empires led to an increase in violence that eventually led the world into World War I.

• Nationalism − One important reason for the war to start was the Slavic population's desire for Bosnia and Herzegovina to join Serbia rather than Austria-Hungary. In this aspect, nationalism was the catalyst for the War. But on a larger scale, the numerous nationalistic countries outside of Europe had a role in both the start and the growth of the European conflict. Each country made an attempt to develop its influence and might.

Immediate Cause of World War I

The rising rivalry between European countries became all too clear around the end of the 19th century. After Germany's unification in 1871, other European countries, especially France and Britain, felt threatened by its rise as an economic superpower. Around this period, the Ottoman Empire collapsed, leading to the emergence of new countries in the Balkans.

One of them, Serbia, was expanding its territory and influence at the expense of the Austrian-Hungarian empire. The Austro-Hungarian Empire joined forces with Germany and Italy to defend one another in order to fight this threat as well as any foreseeable ones. In response, the Triple Entente was established with the same goals by Britain, France, and Russia. Britain and Germany both improved and grew their fleets of battleships throughout the 1900s. The rest of Europe did the same. The majority of European nations possessed war-ready militaries by 1914.

With all of this going on, all it took to ignite a war was a spark, and the assassination of Austria-Hungarian heir to the throne Archduke Franz Ferdinand provided that spark. The Archduke was slain in June 1914 by the Black Hand, a terrorist organization with Serbian nationalist leanings. Their first effort failed when a driver was able to flee after a bomb was thrown at their car. But later that day, in Sarajevo, Bosnia, which at the time was a part of Austria-Hungary, a Serbian nationalist by the name of Gavrilo Princip murdered him and his wife.

Serbia was at war with Austria-Hungary as a result of this killing. In this conflict, Russia supported Serbia while Germany supported Austria-Hungary. Thus, the internationalization of the conflict started.

Uniqueness about World War I

Many European nations at the time, as well as their colonies abroad, participated in the conflict. The Allied Powers and the Central Powers were separated into two categories.

• Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Turkey comprised the Central Powers, while

• the Allies were Britain, France, Japan, the United States of America, Italy, and Japan.

There were two main fronts or lines of battle in the conflict. There was the Eastern Front, which stretched from the Baltic to the Black Sea, and the Western Front, which spanned Belgium, France, and Switzerland. In addition, there were occasional battles in the Middle East and near the border between Austria and Italy.

The fact that World War I was fought from parallel trench lines that were only separated by a small area of land known as "no man's land" was what set it apart from other conflicts. Because both sides' weapons were so powerful, quick, and accurate, trench warfare was required because it was difficult to engage in open combat. When soldiers did leave the trenches to make an offensive, they frequently only gained a few meters, and the cost of lives was high. As a result, negotiations came to a standstill, which lasted from the end of 1914 through the summer of 1918. Even the use of cutting-edge weapons like tanks, nerve gas, and airplanes failed to significantly alter the situation.

Repercussions of the World War I

Economic repercussions

The cost of World War I was high for the participating nations. Approximately 60% of the money that Germany and Great Britain's economies produced was spent. Governments were forced to increase taxes and borrow money from their people. Additionally, they produced cash to acquire guns and other battle necessities. After the war, inflation resulted from this.

Social Repercussions

The Second World War fundamentally altered society. Due to the death of millions of young males, birth rates decreased. After losing their land, people moved out of their homes. Roles for women did changed as well. They significantly contributed to the replacement of males in offices and manufacturing. Many countries after the war gave women additional rights, such as the right to vote. The affluent lost their position as the social elite. Young people from the middle and lower classes desired a voice in the post-war formation of their nation.

Political Repercussions

As a result of World War I, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany, Czar Nicholas II of Russia, and Emperor Charles of Austria all had to abdicate their thrones. New nations were born out of old empires. Austria-Hungary was divided up into several separate states. Poland received land from Germany and Russia. Great Britain and France were given authority over nations in the Middle East. Turkey was created from the Ottoman Empire's remnants.

End of the War

Food and fuel were in scarce supply in Germany. There was significant turmoil after the German fleet rebelled. November 9 saw the abdication of German Emperor Kaiser William II, and November 11 saw the signing of an armistice that put an end to the war between Germany and the Allies. The war was formally ended by the Allies in January 1010 at the Paris Peace Conference.

FAQs

Qns 1. Who is to be blamed for World War 1?

Ans. World War 1 blame can be directly credited to the conflict between Austria and Serbia. Also, additional factors like Russia supporting Serbia and Germany supporting Austria in the conflict can be looked upon as the escalating factors of the war.

Qns 2. Write down 2 reasons for the escalation of World War 1?

Ans. The 2 reasons for the escalation of the Great war are −

• 1894 alliance between France and Russia, and

• The Naval race between Germany and Britain.

Qns 3. What sparked the first world war?

Ans. The Murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary triggered world war 1.

Qns 4. Group the major countries on both sides of the war?

Ans. Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Turkey comprised the Central Powers, while the Allies included Italy, France, Britain, Russia, the USA, and Japan.

Qns 5. Mention the geographies where the war was fought?

Ans. There were two main fronts or lines of battle in the conflict. There was the Eastern Front, which stretched from the Baltic to the Black Sea, and the Western Front, which spanned Belgium, France, and Switzerland. In addition, there were occasional battles in the Middle East and near the border between Austria and Italy.