Overview
World War I (1914–1918) was a global conflict mainly between the Allies and Central Powers, resulting in significant political, social, and territorial changes and heavy casualties worldwide.
Causes and Outbreak
- Major causes included nationalism, imperialism, militarism, and complex alliances among European powers.
- The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 triggered the July Crisis, leading to declarations of war.
- Austria-Hungary attacked Serbia, drawing in Russia, Germany, France, and Britain through alliance obligations.
Major Participants and Fronts
- The Allies included France, UK, Russia, Italy, US, and others; Central Powers included Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.
- Fighting occurred mainly in Europe (Western and Eastern Fronts), the Middle East, Africa, and the Pacific.
- Trench warfare dominated the Western Front, while the Eastern Front was more mobile.
Key Events and Battles
- Notable battles: Verdun, the Somme, Gallipoli, Tannenberg, and the Brusilov Offensive.
- New technologies: tanks, aircraft, machine guns, poison gas.
- In 1917, the US entered the war; Russia withdrew following the Bolshevik Revolution.
War's End and Aftermath
- Armistices signed in late 1918 ended fighting; Germany surrendered following internal unrest and military defeat.
- The Paris Peace Conference (1919–1920) imposed harsh terms on Central Powers, especially Germany (Treaty of Versailles).
- The League of Nations was established to maintain peace but failed to prevent World War II.
Consequences and Legacy
- Four major empires collapsed: German, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, and Russian.
- New countries formed in Europe and the Middle East.
- Estimated 15–22 million deaths (military and civilian) and 23 million wounded.
- Economic hardship, political instability, and changes in social roles, particularly for women.
- Use of chemical weapons and mass civilian casualties, including from the Spanish flu pandemic.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Triple Alliance/Entente — Military alliances among European powers before WWI.
- Trench Warfare — Static, fortified fighting with trenches, common on the Western Front.
- Armistice — Agreement to stop fighting; the most notable was on 11 Nov 1918.
- Treaty of Versailles — 1919 peace treaty that ended war with Germany.
- League of Nations — International organization formed after WWI to maintain peace.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review major battles and turning points of the war.
- Study the Treaty of Versailles and its impact on postwar Europe.
- Understand connections between WWI and later world events, especially WWII.