THE GREAT WAR
The fratricidal European conflict called "the First World War," or "the Great War," endured for
about four years-from 1914 to 1918-June to November. During this terribly drawn-out period,
the hostilities transcended the European boundaries mainly involving major European powers
together with their colonies and allies. This had seen the world war being fought primarily
between two different alliances;
The Allies: First, it consisted of France, the United Kingdom, and Russia, who solely were
concerned about their relationship with their allies and the very real threat of Central Powers'
hostility, preserved balance by incorporating Italy, Japan, and, most suddenly, and with lasting
impact, the United States.
The Central Powers: Mainly Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.
1. Causes of World War I:
Scholars often cite the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand as the immediate cause;
however, the reasons for the war lay much deeper and ran along tensions and rivalries that had
existed among the European powers for decades:
Militarism; European powers had amassed and were constructing up large military forces for
internal rivalry, building up weapons; an arms race. Of specific importance among these
countries were Germany and Britain, concentrating powers on their navy-building whereas
others were occupied with land military power. This armament activity nurtured kinds of
conducive environment for an outbreak.
Alliances: In the years preceding the war, many nations formed alliances to assist one another
in case of attack. The Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy) stood opposed to
the Triple Entente (France, the United Kingdom, and Russia). These alliances meant, that any
conflict between two countries could quickly become a much larger war, as other nations
would be dragged in to support their allies.
Imperialism: While fighting among nations to get as much territory as possible in any territory,
whether in Africa or Asia, this practically sowed the seeds of ruin for the great states in their
competition and conflict over territories and imperialism.
Nationalism: National pride of the countries and ethnic tensions played big roles in the genesis
of World War I. Rise of nationalist movements in the Balkans, with particular reference to
Serbia, led to increased friction with Austria-Hungarya. Nationalists insurrection among various
ethnic groups dwelling within the boundaries of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Ottoman
Empire deepened the crisis.
On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated in Sarajevo
by Gavrilo Princip, a member of a Serbian nationalist movement. Backed by Germany, Austria-
Hungary presented an ultimatum to Serbia, which, due to partial compliance, led to the war
declaration against Serbia by the former. This war declaration, in turn, compelled Russia to
mobilize itself to defend Serbia, which led to the involvement of Germany, France, and
eventually Britain in the war.
2. Major Fronts and Key Battles:
Western Front: The fighting within the West primarily between the Germans and the French
(with British support) became infamous for trench warfare, wherein the soldiers wallowed
throughout mud-ridden unsanitary-like environments, gaining near-total casualty levels at the
cost of some battlefields. This includes several key battles-the battle of the Somme and the
battle of Verdun, occurring almost simultaneously and stockpiling devastation with almost nil
strategic success.
Eastern Front: It was larger and less fortified than the other fronts.
