1st WORLD WAR HISTORY

 

 World War I — History Overview

📅 Duration:

July 28, 1914 – November 11, 1918

⚔️ What Was It?

World War I was a global conflict primarily centered in Europe, involving many of the world’s major powers. It was one of the deadliest wars in history, marked by trench warfare, new weapons, and massive loss of life.

🔥 Main Causes (M.A.I.N.)

1. Militarism – Arms race and glorification of military power

2. Alliances – Complex system of treaties pulled many countries into conflict

3. Imperialism – Competition for colonies and global dominance

4. Nationalism – Ethnic tensions and national pride, especially in the Balkans

💥 Immediate Spark

• Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (heir to Austro-Hungarian throne)

  • Date: June 28, 1914

  • Location: Sarajevo, Bosnia

  • By: Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist

• Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia, declared war → triggered a chain reaction among alliances

🌐 Major Powers Involved

Allied Powers (Entente):

• France

• United Kingdom

• Russia (until 1917)

• Italy (joined in 1915)

• United States (joined in 1917)

• Serbia, Belgium, Japan, and others

Central Powers:

• Germany

• Austria-Hungary

• Ottoman Empire

• Bulgaria

🧱 Key Features

• Trench warfare on the Western Front (France and Belgium)

• New technologies: machine guns, tanks, poison gas, submarines, aircraft

• Massive casualties: Over 16 million dead (soldiers + civilians), 21 million wounded

• Global impact: Fighting also occurred in Africa, Asia, and at sea

🇺🇸 U.S. Entry

• Initially neutral, the U.S. joined in April 1917 after:

  • Unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany (sinking of the Lusitania)

  • The Zimmermann Telegram (Germany urging Mexico to attack the U.S.)

🕊 End of the War

• November 11, 1918 – Germany signed an armistice (ceasefire)

• The war ended without Germany being invaded, leading to myths of betrayal later

📜 Treaty of Versailles (1919)

• Officially ended the war

• Germany forced to:

  • Accept full blame (War Guilt Clause)

  • Pay heavy reparations

  • Give up territory and overseas colonies

  • Limit military

• Created the League of Nations (precursor to the UN)

💣 Consequences

• Collapse of empires: German, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, and Russian

• Economic ruin and political instability

• Set the stage for World War II

• Redrew national borders, especially in Europe and the Middle East

• Led to revolutions (e.g., Russian Revolution in 1917)

🕯 Legacy

• Known as “The Great War” or “The War to End All Wars” (ironically)

• Changed the nature of warfare permanently

• Left deep scars across Europe — physical, economic, and emotional