World War I: Causes, Battles, and Aftermath
World War I: A Comprehensive Overview
World War I, also known as the Great War, was the first global conflict, mobilizing all human and economic resources. Seventy million soldiers were mobilized. The war imposed a war economy to procure guns and ammunition for the army, while the population suffered rationing and hardship. To obtain resources, the military resorted to public debt issuance.
Phases of the War
War of Movement
The German Schlieffen Plan aimed to win on the Western Front and focus on the Russian front. Moltke’s plan was to enter French territory, but the Allies halted the German advance at the Battle of the Marne. The Germans were defeated, and the French stabilized the Western Front, prolonging the war. In 1914, on the Eastern Front, Russian troops moved into Prussia, surprising the Germans and achieving a victory.
War of Positions
The front stabilized, and armies established positions. Soldiers lived in crowded trenches amidst rats, cold, and damp conditions. New tactics were created to open new gaps or weaken the opposition. The Germans failed in the Battle of Verdun.
Submarine Warfare
American President Woodrow Wilson intervened after the U.S. was hurt. Russia then signed an armistice with Germany. Bulgaria, Turkey, and Austria-Hungary followed.
Causes of World War I
Rivalries between major powers caused the war. Relations between France and Germany were very tense due to French territorial claims and the feud between Austria-Hungary and Russia over control of the Balkans. Germany, for its development, needed new markets and sought to challenge the UK’s colonial empire. The Russian Empire sought an alliance with France.
Block Formation
The major powers were divided into two groups: the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance. The Triple Alliance consisted of Austria-Hungary and Italy, aiming for a European balance favorable to them and to diplomatically isolate Germany. The Triple Entente comprised France, Russia, and the United Kingdom. France and Russia signed a military pact. Britain and France signed the Entente Cordiale, with France relinquishing Egypt in exchange for British support. The Russian Empire joined, forming the Triple Entente. The arms race saw armies, including the United Kingdom, doubling in size on land and sea.
Treaties and Consequences
The Paris Peace Conference (1919-1920) aimed for the suppression of secret diplomacy, freedom of navigation and international trade, arms reduction, entitlement to independence, and the creation of the League of Nations. The Treaty of Versailles regulated peace with Germany: Germany suffered territorial cuts, was responsible for the war, had to pay heavy war reparations, and had to limit its army.
Demographic Consequences
Nine million deaths and sanitary deficiencies due to the flu.
Economic Consequences
Significant costs led to economic collapse.