World War I, often referred to as The Great War, was a global conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918. It involved most of the world's great powers, organized into two coalitions:
Causes of the War
The war's origins are complex, involving:
Major Events
- The Outbreak: War was declared after the assassination on July 28, 1914, when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.
- Trench Warfare: Much of the war was characterized by trench warfare, especially on the Western Front.
- Key Battles:
- Entry of the United States: The Zimmermann Telegram and unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany led to the U.S. entering the war in 1917.
- The End: The Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, ending the hostilities.
Aftermath
- The Treaty of Versailles (1919) officially ended the war with Germany, imposing harsh conditions.
- Massive loss of life, estimated at around 9 million soldiers and 7 million civilians.
- The war led to the fall of four empires: German, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, and Ottoman.
- The League of Nations was established to prevent future wars.
- The economic and political instability set the stage for World War II.
Legacy
World War I introduced new military technologies like poison gas, tanks, and aircraft. It also marked the beginning of the end for colonial empires and influenced political boundaries in Europe and the Middle East.
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