Discover detailed information about the First World War (1914–1918) — its causes, major battles, global impact, key events, and the Treaty of Versailles that reshaped world history.
Introduction
The First World War, also known as World War I or the Great War, was a global conflict centered in Europe that lasted from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918. It involved the world’s major powers and caused unprecedented destruction and loss of life.
Major Causes
- Militarism – Arms race and the glorification of military power.
- Alliances – Complex web of alliances between major powers:
- Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (Italy later switched sides).
- Triple Entente: France, Russia, Great Britain.
- Imperialism – Competition for colonies, especially in Africa and Asia.
- Nationalism – Ethnic groups demanding independence; national pride.
- Assassination – Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated on 28 June 1914 in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist.
Major Powers
- Allied Powers (Entente): Britain, France, Russia, later joined by Italy, Japan, and the USA (1917).
- Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria.
Events
1918: Germany launches Spring Offensive, but fails. Armistice signed on 11 November 1918.
1914: War begins after Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.
1915: Trench warfare on the Western Front; sinking of Lusitania by German U-boat.
1916: Battle of Verdun and Battle of the Somme – extremely bloody.
1917: USA enters war; Russia exits after Bolshevik Revolution.
The First World War, also known as World War I, was a devastating global conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918, involving many of the world’s major powers. It was sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary, but its deeper causes included militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism. The war saw the Central Powers, led by Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire, fighting against the Allied Powers, including Britain, France, Russia, and later the United States. Much of the fighting took place in trenches on the Western Front, where soldiers endured horrific conditions. New weapons such as machine guns, tanks, poison gas, and airplanes made the war incredibly deadly. In 1917, the U.S. joined the war, while Russia exited after its revolution. The war ended on 11 November 1918, with the defeat of the Central Powers. The Treaty of Versailles in 1919 blamed Germany for the war and imposed harsh penalties, setting the stage for future conflict. The war caused immense human suffering, redrew borders, and led to the fall of empires, marking a turning point in world history.
Military Strategies & Warfare Techniques
1. Trench Warfare
- Most iconic on the Western Front (France-Belgium border).
- Soldiers lived in muddy, rat-infested trenches.
- “No man’s land” – deadly area between opposing trenches.
- Led to stalemate; very little territorial gain.
2. New Weapons of War
- Machine guns: High casualties in frontal assaults.
- Poison gas: First used by Germans in 1915 (chlorine, mustard gas).
- Tanks: Introduced by the British in 1916 at the Battle of the Somme.
- Submarines (U-boats): Germany used them to blockade Britain.
- Airplanes: Used for scouting, later bombing and dogfights (e.g., Red Baron).
🔥 Major Battles
🟤 Western Front
- Battle of the Marne (1914): Stopped German advance to Paris.
- Battle of Verdun (1916): Longest and one of the deadliest battles (France vs. Germany).
- Battle of the Somme (1916): Over 1 million casualties; first tank use.
🔵 Eastern Front
- Germany and Austria-Hungary vs. Russia.
- Vast territories, mobile warfare, harsh conditions.
- Russia withdrew after the 1917 revolution.
🟡 Middle East & Africa
Notable figure: T.E. Lawrence (“Lawrence of Arabia”).
British and Arab forces fought the Ottoman Empire.