Causes of World War I

Intense national pride and desire for self-rule among European nations, especially in the Balkans, fuelled rivalries and made tensions easily escalate.

Competition for colonies and resources, especially between Great Britain and Germany, created antagonism and a willingness to use force to secure interests.

The glorification of military power and an arms race created an environment prone to conflict. Increased military spending and new weapons exacerbated existing tensions.

A complex network of alliances obligated nations to support each other in case of attack. This meant that a local conflict could quickly escalate into a general war involving multiple countries.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by a Serbian nationalist, triggered the immediate crisis that led to war.

Following the assassination, Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia, demanding unacceptable concessions. This action pushed Serbia to the brink and further intensified tensions.

A chain reaction of declarations of war followed the ultimatum, rapidly pulling more countries into the conflict.

National armies were mobilized quickly, sending millions of soldiers into combat. This swift mobilization contributed to the scale and speed of the conflict.

Germany's plan to swiftly defeat France before turning its forces to Russia significantly influenced the early course of the war.

The stalemate on the Western Front resulted in trench warfare, a grueling and devastating form of warfare.

A type of warfare where soldiers fight from deep ditches, characterized by long periods of stalemate and heavy casualties.

The introduction of new technologies such as machine guns, tanks, airplanes and poison gas, dramatically increased the scale and brutality of warfare.

The naval race between Britain and Germany, and the use of submarines, expanded the scope of WWI to the seas, leading to significant battles and impact on global trade.

Battles on the Eastern Front were more fluid and dynamic compared to the static Western Front, with larger movements and varied outcomes.

Millions of soldiers and civilians died during WWI, marking the deadliest conflict in human history.

The war caused widespread economic hardship, leading to poverty and destabilization, particularly in Europe, with lasting financial consequences.

The war led to the collapse of empires, creation of new nations, and significant changes in the global political landscape.

The treaty aimed at ending WWI but imposed harsh punishments on Germany, contributing to resentment and instability.

The war's aftermath fuelled nationalist sentiments and extreme ideologies, contributing to global instability in the following decades.

Created to prevent future conflicts, the League of Nations lacked enforcement power and ultimately failed to stop the outbreak of WWII.

These weapons became highly effective in defending trenches, resulting in massive casualties for attacking forces.

Heavy artillery played a crucial role in both defense and offense, bombarding enemy positions and trenches.

First employed in WWI, these attacks were devastating but ultimately had limited success in significantly affecting the war.

World War I had devastating effects, including massive casualties, political instability, economic hardship, social changes, the rise of totalitarian regimes, and the creation of the League of Nations.

The war led to the collapse of major empires like the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires. European borders were redrawn, changing the political map of the continent.

The war caused widespread economic hardship and strain on national economies. It resulted in immense debt, inflation, and unemployment.

The war significantly shifted gender roles and societal expectations, as women took on new responsibilities in the workforce and contributed to the war effort.

The harsh terms of the treaty imposed on Germany, particularly the war guilt clause, created resentment and instability. This contributed to the rise of extremist ideologies and ultimately fuelled future conflict.

The Treaty of Versailles established the League of Nations, an international organization designed to promote peace and prevent future wars.

The League of Nations lacked the power to enforce its decisions and was unable to prevent the outbreak of World War II.

The Treaty of Versailles imposed heavy reparations, territorial losses, and military restrictions on Germany. This created resentment and economic hardship.

Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles held Germany solely responsible for starting World War I. This clause was a major source of resentment and contributed to the rise of extremism in Germany.

The destruction and instability caused by World War I created fertile ground for the rise of extremist ideologies and totalitarian regimes in post-war Europe.

The Treaty of Versailles, while aiming to end WWI, imposed harsh terms on Germany, such as war guilt and reparations, which led to resentment and instability in that nation. This resentment contributed to the rise of extremist ideologies and, ultimately, the outbreak of World War II.

Various peace treaties signed after WWI aimed to reshape the global order, but they often had unintended consequences. Some treaties imposed strict limitations on defeated nations, leading to instability, while others redrew borders in ways that caused ethnic conflict.

The war destabilized colonial empires, as many colonized populations, inspired by the idea of self-determination, began to demand independence. This led to the rise of nationalist movements, which ultimately challenged colonial rule.

The war devastated economies around the globe. It led to massive debt, inflation, and unemployment. The disruption of trade and global economic systems was profound, particularly in Europe, and it took years for economies to begin to recover.

The global consequences of WWI extended beyond the immediate war itself. It left a legacy of political instability, economic hardship, and a climate of disillusionment and extremism. This made future conflicts, both regional and global, more likely.

Propaganda played a crucial role in shaping public opinion concerning WWI. Governments used various methods, like biased news, posters, and films, to galvanize public support for the war. Propaganda often demonized the enemy and justified the war effort, which ultimately influenced popular perceptions and fueled nationalistic fervor

Efforts to prevent WWI through diplomacy and mediation were largely unsuccessful. Tensions between nations were too high, rivalries were too strong, and national pride made compromise very difficult. Attempts at negotiation were often insincere or based on unrealistic demands.

Nationalism, while often uniting people, fueled rivalries and tensions before WWI. Specific ideologies like pan-Slavism in Serbia and German nationalism led to escalating conflicts.

Designed to maintain peace, alliances like the Triple Entente and Triple Alliance ironically increased the risk of war. Once conflict erupted, the chain reaction of mobilizations and declarations of war pulled more countries into the conflict.

War guilt is a complex issue. Long-term political, economic, and imperial tensions among major powers contributed to the outbreak. Determining the blame is controversial, with arguments for collective responsibility or specific nation-states.

New technologies like machine guns, tanks, and poison gas revolutionized warfare in WWI. They influenced military strategies, tactics, and resulted in devastating casualties and prolonged war.

World War I had a profound impact on social and economic structures. Recruitment impacted working-class life and gender roles, while post-war economic disruptions led to social unrest and revolutions.

WWI led to the collapse of empires like the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman, giving birth to new nations. The war dramatically changed political systems and maps across the globe.

The Western Front was characterized by trench warfare, where soldiers faced constant shelling and lived in horrifying conditions. This deadly stalemate lasted for years, leading to immense casualties.

A local crisis, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, quickly escalated into a global war due to pre-existing alliances. This chain reaction unfolded in a short period, pulling nations into the conflict.