World War I, fought from 1914 to 1918 between the Allies (Britain, France, Russia, Italy and the United States) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire).

Answer 1

World War I, often referred to as the Great War, was a global conflict that erupted in 1914 and lasted until 1918. The war involved two main alliances: the Allies and the Central Powers.

The Allies

The key members of the Allies included:

• Britain: Joined the war largely in response to Germany's invasion of Belgium.
• France: Motivated by a desire for revenge against Germany after the loss of Alsace-Lorraine in the Franco-Prussian War.
• Russia: Entered the war to support Serbia and counter Austro-Hungarian expansion.
• Italy: Initially part of the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary, Italy joined the Allies in 1915 after being promised territorial gains.
• United States: Entered the conflict in 1917, primarily motivated by unrestricted submarine warfare and other aggressions by Germany against American interests.

The Central Powers

The main members of the Central Powers included:

• Germany: The dominant military power in the alliance, seeking to assert its influence in Europe.
• Austria-Hungary: Its conflict with Serbia over nationalist movements triggered the war.
• Bulgaria: Joined the Central Powers in 1915 to regain territory lost in previous Balkan conflicts.
• Ottoman Empire: Sought to regain lost territories and suppress internal nationalism, joining the war in late 1914.

Major Causes of the War

1. Militarism: Nations built up their military capabilities, leading to an arms race.
2. Alliances: Complex alliances committed countries to support one another in case of conflict.
3. Imperialism: Competition for colonies heightened tensions between European powers.
4. Nationalism: Ethnic groups sought autonomy, leading to conflicts such as the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in 1914.

Major Events

• Trench Warfare: The Western Front became characterized by entrenched positions leading to stalemate and massive casualties.
• Battle of the Somme and Battle of Verdun: Among the bloodiest battles, epitomizing the horrors of trench warfare.
• Entry of the U.S.: Provided fresh troops and resources crucial to the Allies' eventual victory.

Conclusion

World War I ended on November 11, 1918, with an armistice. The conflict resulted in significant political changes, including the collapse of empires (Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, German, and Russian) and set the stage for World War II due to unresolved issues. The Treaty of Versailles in 1919 imposed heavy reparations on Germany, sowing discontent that would contribute to future conflicts.