The First World War: Causes, Impact, and Key Events

Introduction to the Great War

Between 1871 and 1914, intense rivalries among European nations led to the formation of two powerful alliances that ultimately clashed during the First World War.

The First World War was fought by these two opposing alliances, involving various European countries, as well as the USA and Japan.

Pre-War Tensions and Causes

The period of uneasy peace in Europe at the end of the 19th century was marked by several significant sources of tension:

• Franco-German Rivalry

  France sought to recover the region of Alsace-Lorraine, which it had lost to the German Empire in 1871.

• Balkan Nationalism

  Between 1878 and 1908, the Austro-Hungarian Empire occupied and then annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina. This action fueled nationalist protests from Serbians living in Bosnia and angered Russia, Serbia's traditional ally.

• Imperial Competition

  Industrialized European countries expanded their empires and fiercely competed for control of colonies, particularly in North Africa.

• Naval Arms Race

  Britain and Germany engaged in a significant naval arms race. Both nations built a range of powerful new battleships known as dreadnoughts.

As a direct result of these escalating disputes, two major alliances were established across Europe.

The Spark: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was assassinated by a Serbian gunman in Sarajevo, a city in Bosnia. His death triggered a rapid sequence of events that led to the First World War: the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia, holding the Serbs responsible for the archduke's death.

Impact and Transformations of the War

• Wartime Economy

  The economy during the war was entirely dominated by military needs. Many 19th-century industrial and technological advances were repurposed to manufacture weapons and other military equipment on a massive scale.

• Societal Changes

  Society underwent profound transformations due to the war. For instance, while men served in the armed forces, many women entered the workforce, particularly in factories, filling crucial roles.

• Russia's Ordeal and Revolution

  Russia's participation in the First World War had severe effects on its population, contributing significantly to the causes of the Russian Revolution.

• Spain's Neutrality and Challenges

  Spain remained neutral throughout the First World War. However, its government still faced a series of internal political, economic, and social problems, alongside ongoing military conflict in North Africa.

• Cultural Influence: The Avant-garde

  During this tumultuous period, the Avant-garde movement exerted a significant influence on art and culture across Europe.