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World War I, also known as the Great War, began in 1914 and lasted until 1918. It was caused by a complex web of political, economic, and social factors, often categorized into four key causes:

Militarism: European nations had built up massive militaries in the early 20th century, leading to an arms race, especially between Germany and Britain. The aggressive buildup of armies and navies created a tense and volatile atmosphere.
Alliances: Europe was divided into two major alliances:
- Triple Entente: France, Russia, and Britain
- Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy
These alliances meant that a conflict involving one nation could quickly escalate to involve all the major powers.
Imperialism: Competition for colonies and resources among European powers increased tension. European nations, particularly Britain, France, and Germany, were competing for global dominance and resources in Africa, Asia, and other regions.
Nationalism: Nationalist movements, especially in the Balkans, caused significant unrest. Nations like Serbia sought independence and territorial expansion, leading to conflicts with larger empires like Austria-Hungary.

Chronological Events of World War I

1914: Outbreak of War

June 28, 1914 – Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand: Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated in Sarajevo by a Bosnian Serb nationalist, Gavrilo Princip. This act triggered a chain reaction of diplomatic crises.
July 28, 1914 – Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia: After issuing an ultimatum to Serbia, Austria-Hungary declared war, marking the official start of the conflict.
August 1-4, 1914 – Widespread Declarations of War: Germany declared war on Russia (August 1) and France (August 3). Britain declared war on Germany on August 4 after Germany invaded Belgium, a neutral country.
September 6-12, 1914 – First Battle of the Marne: German forces advanced through Belgium and France but were stopped near Paris by French and British troops in the First Battle of the Marne. This halted Germany’s Schlieffen Plan and ended hopes of a quick victory.

1915-1916: Stalemate and Major Battles

April 22-May 25, 1915 – Second Battle of Ypres: Germany used chemical weapons (chlorine gas) for the first time in modern warfare during this battle in Belgium. It marked the start of widespread use of gas warfare.
April 25, 1915-January 9, 1916 – Gallipoli Campaign: British and French forces, with ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) troops, launched a failed campaign to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula from the Ottoman Empire, leading to heavy casualties.
February 21-December 18, 1916 – Battle of Verdun: One of the longest and bloodiest battles of the war, the Battle of Verdun between France and Germany resulted in heavy casualties (over 700,000) without any significant strategic gains.
July 1-November 18, 1916 – Battle of the Somme: The Battle of the Somme was another brutal and inconclusive battle on the Western Front, resulting in over 1 million casualties. It saw the first use of tanks by the British army.

1917: Turning Points

April 6, 1917 – The United States Enters the War: After the sinking of American ships by German submarines and the interception of the Zimmermann Telegram (in which Germany tried to persuade Mexico to join the war against the U.S.), the United States declared war on Germany, shifting the balance of power.
November 7, 1917 – Russian Revolution and Withdrawal: The Bolshevik Revolution in Russia led to the fall of the Romanov dynasty. The new Soviet government, led by Vladimir Lenin, signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany in March 1918, ending Russia’s participation in the war.

1918: The End of the War

March-July 1918 – German Spring Offensive: Germany launched a final series of offensives on the Western Front, hoping to secure victory before American forces could fully engage. Though initially successful, these offensives ultimately failed as the Allies regrouped.
August-November 1918 – Allied Hundred Days Offensive: The Allies, now reinforced by fresh American troops, launched a counter-offensive known as the Hundred Days Offensive, breaking through German lines and pushing them back.
November 11, 1918 – Armistice Signed: With German forces in retreat and morale collapsing, the German government signed an armistice with the Allies, effectively ending the fighting on the Western Front. The armistice took effect at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918 (the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month”).

How World War I Ended

Treaty of Versailles (June 28, 1919)

The formal end to World War I came with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. The treaty imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including significant territorial losses, military restrictions, and the infamous War Guilt Clause, which placed full blame for the war on Germany and its allies. Germany was also forced to pay large reparations.

Impact:

The war had profound and far-reaching effects on the world. It led to the collapse of four empires (German, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, and Russian), redrew national borders, and sowed the seeds for future conflicts, most notably World War II. The harsh conditions of the Treaty of Versailles contributed to political instability in Germany, paving the way for the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in the 1930s.

Key Outcomes of World War I

Over 16 million people died as a result of the war, with millions more wounded.
The war drastically changed global politics, leading to the creation of the League of Nations, an international body designed to prevent future conflicts (though it failed to stop World War II).
The war also accelerated social changes, including women’s suffrage in many countries and shifts in class structures due to the demands placed on societies during wartime.