First world war

The First World War (1914–1918) was a global conflict that primarily involved Europe but also affected regions in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. It was one of the deadliest wars in history, with an estimated 16 million deaths. Causes of World War I- The war was caused by a combination of factors, including: 1. Militarism– The arms race between European powers, especially Germany and Britain. 2. Alliances – Two major alliances existed: -Allied Powers: France, Britain, Russia (later joined by the U.S. and others). - Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. 3. Imperialism – Competition for colonies and global dominance. 4. Nationalism – Rising nationalism, especially in the Balkans. 5. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand – The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist on June 28, 1914, triggering the war. Major Events of World War I- - 1914: War begins after Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. - 1915:Stalemate on the Western Front, use of trench warfare. - 1917:The U.S. enters the war; Russia withdraws after the Bolshevik Revolution. - 1918: Germany surrenders; the war ends on November 11, 1918. Consequences of World War I- 1. Massive Casualties – Around 16 million dead and 21 million wounded. 2. Fall of Empires – The German, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, and Russian empires collapsed. 3. Treaty of Versailles (1919)– Imposed harsh penalties on Germany, leading to future tensions. 4. League of Nations Formed – An attempt to prevent future wars, though it failed. 5. Rise of World War II – The harsh conditions of the Treaty of Versailles contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Second World War.