World War I, also known as the Great War, began on July 28, 1914, and ended on November 11, 1918. Here’s a brief overview of how it started and concluded:
How World War-l Started
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (June 28, 1914)
The immediate trigger for the war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist, in Sarajevo. This event heightened tensions between Austria-Hungary and Serbia.
Alliance System and Escalation
Austria-Hungary, backed by Germany, issued an ultimatum to Serbia, which Serbia partially rejected. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914.
The complex system of alliances drew other nations into the conflict:
- Russia mobilized in support of Serbia.
- Germany declared war on Russia (August 1) and France (August 3).
- Germany invaded Belgium to attack France, prompting Britain to declare war on Germany (August 4)
Global Conflict
The war quickly expanded as more countries joined, including the Ottoman Empire, Italy, Japan, and eventually the United States.
How World War-l Ended
U.S. Entry (1917)
The United States entered the war in April 1917 after Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram (a secret German proposal to Mexico to join the war against the U.S.).
Allied Offensives (1918)
In 1918, the Allies launched a series of successful offensives, including the Hundred Days Offensive, which pushed back German forces.
Armistice (November 11, 1918)
Facing internal unrest, economic collapse, and military defeat, Germany agreed to an armistice on November 11, 1918, effectively ending the fighting.
Treaty of Versailles (1919)
The war officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, which imposed harsh penalties on Germany and redrew national borders.
Key Outcomes:
- Casualties: Over 16 million people died, including soldiers and civilians.
- Political Changes: The war led to the collapse of empires (Austro-Hungarian, Russian, Ottoman, and German) and the rise of new nations.
- Seeds of World War II: The harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles contributed to economic and political instability in Germany, setting the stage for World War II.
World War I reshaped the global order and had profound social, economic, and political consequences.
Causes for World War-l
World War I started due to a combination of long-term tensions and short-term triggers. Here are the key factors that led to the outbreak of the war:
Long-Term Causes:
Militarism
European powers had been building up their military forces and weapons in the years leading up to the war. This arms race created a sense of competition and mistrust among nations.
Alliances
A complex web of alliances divided Europe into two major camps:
- The Triple Entente: France, Russia, and Britain.
- The Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
- These alliances meant that a conflict between two countries could quickly escalate into a wider war.
Imperialism
European powers competed for colonies and resources around the world, leading to rivalries and tensions, particularly between Britain and Germany.
Nationalism
Strong nationalist sentiments fueled rivalries between countries and inspired independence movements within multi-ethnic empires like Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire.
Short-Term Trigger
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (June 28, 1914
The immediate spark for the war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist, in Sarajevo. Princip was part of a group seeking independence for Slavic peoples from Austro-Hungarian rule.
Austria-Hungary’s Ultimatum to Serbi
Austria-Hungary, with Germany’s support, issued a harsh ultimatum to Serbia, demanding severe concessions. Serbia accepted most of the demands but refused some, leading Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia on July 28, 1914.
Escalation Through Alliance
- Russia, an ally of Serbia, began mobilizing its forces to support Serbia.
- Germany, allied with Austria-Hungary, declared war on Russia (August 1) and France (August 3).
- Germany’s invasion of Belgium (to attack France) prompted Britain to declare war on Germany (August 4).
Summary
World War I started because of a combination of underlying tensions (militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism) and the immediate trigger of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The alliance system turned a regional conflict into a global war, as countries were drawn into the fighting one after another.