World War I
World War I, also known as the First World War, was a global conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918. It involved many of the world's great powers, divided into two main alliances: the Triple Entente (comprising France, Russia, and British Empire) and the Central Powers (including Germany, Austria-Hungary, and later Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria).
Origins and Causes
- Imperialism and Colonial Rivalries: Competition for colonies and territories in Africa and Asia fueled tensions among European powers.
- Nationalism: The rise of nationalism in Europe, particularly in regions like the Balkans, where ethnic groups sought independence or unification.
- Militarism: An arms race and a general increase in military spending and readiness.
- Alliance Systems: Complex network of alliances that obligated countries to support each other in case of attack.
- Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand: The immediate trigger was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Serbian nationalist group Black Hand, on June 28, 1914.
Major Events
Impact and Aftermath
- Casualties: Over 9 million soldiers died, with millions more wounded or missing. Civilian deaths from starvation, disease, and genocide (such as the Armenian Genocide) also numbered in the millions.
- Political Changes: The war led to the fall of four major empires: German Empire, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Russian Empire. New states emerged, and existing ones were redrawn.
- Treaty of Versailles: Signed in 1919, it imposed heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany, which contributed to economic and political instability in the following decades.
- Social Changes: Women's roles expanded due to men's absence, leading to suffrage movements. Technological and medical advances were spurred by wartime needs.
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