History of the First World War: Causes and Impact

The history of the First World War, starting from 1914 to 1918, was one of the most devastating conflicts in world history. The primary causes of the First World War were complex and involved a variety of political, military and social factors. One of the main causes is the alliance system formed in Europe. There were two major blocs: the Allies, consisting of France, Britain, and Russia, and the Central Powers, led by Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. Tensions between these two blocs increased due to colonial rivalry and widespread nationalism in Europe. In addition, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914, was the immediate trigger for war. This assassination caused Austria-Hungary to issue an ultimatum to Serbia, which was rejected, triggering a declaration of war. The consequences of these actions continued with chain attacks, drawing various countries into world war. Not only that, the First World War was also marked by major battles on the Western and Eastern Fronts, with famous battles such as the Battles of the Somme and Verdun resulting in huge casualties. The impact of the First World War was far-reaching, changing the political and social map of the world. Directly, more than 16 million people died and millions more were injured. The countries involved experienced a severe economic crisis, especially Germany, which faced a heavy reparations burden as a result of the peace agreement. The Treaty of Versailles in 1919 not only resolved the conflict, but also created new tensions, which would later become one of the causes of the Second World War. Socially, the war resulted in major changes, including a shift in the role of women in society. Women began taking jobs in industry, filling the gaps left by men leaving for war. Additionally, the legacy of the First World War includes the birth of the League of Nations, an attempt to prevent future conflict, although it proved ineffective. The formation of new states in Eastern Europe created new national identities, but also left behind ethnic tensions. Technological changes resulting from war also cannot be ignored. Innovations in artillery, armored vehicles, and aircraft changed the way warfare was fought. This resulted in new military doctrine and influenced future conflicts. As a global event, the impact of the First World War is still felt today, shaping geopolitics and modern world society. The First World War was an important lesson in the impact of armed conflict, showing that war changed not only the map of the world, but also the fate of humanity.