Causes of the First World War
- Nationalism and Imperialism: Strong feelings of national pride and the desire to expand empires led to tensions between European powers.
- Militarism: Arms races and alliances between countries fueled fears and increased the likelihood of conflict.
- Triple Alliance and Triple Entente: Alliances between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (Triple Alliance) and France, Russia, and Great Britain (Triple Entente) divided Europe into opposing blocs.
- Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand: The assassination of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne in Sarajevo, Bosnia, on June 28, 1914, triggered a chain of events leading to war.
Course of the First World War
- Schlieffen Plan: Germany's plan to quickly defeat France through a massive invasion through Belgium, but it failed.
- Trench Warfare: Most of the fighting took place in trenches, characterized by long periods of stalemate and intense battles for small gains.
- Technology: New weapons such as machine guns, artillery, and submarines had a devastating impact on warfare.
- Eastern Front: Heavy fighting and massive casualties on the Eastern Front between Germany and Russia.
- Middle East and Asia: The war extended to other continents, including the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, where colonial powers clashed.
Consequences of the First World War
- Deaths and Injuries: Approximately 17-26 million people died, and over 18 million were injured or maimed.
- Political Changes: Monarchies in Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, and Turkey collapsed and replaced by republics or constitutional monarchies.
- League of Nations: The League of Nations was established to prevent future wars, but it proved ineffective.
- Treaty of Versailles: The harsh terms imposed on Germany led to resentment and instability, contributing to the rise of Nazism.
- Economic Devastation: The war had a profound impact on the global economy, causing massive inflation, unemployment, and poverty.
- Social and Cultural Changes: The war accelerated social and cultural transformations, including the increased role of women in society and the rise of modernism in art and literature.