World War I

Causes of World War I

Territorial Conflicts

France sought to reclaim Alsace-Lorraine from Germany. Austria-Hungary and Russia both aimed to expand their influence in the Balkans. Italy desired Trento and Istria, territories held by Austria-Hungary.

Nationalist Conflicts

Tensions arose from the diverse nationalities within large empires, particularly in the Balkans.

Economic Rivalries

Germany's industrial growth posed a threat to the British and French economies, further fueled by competition in colonial expansion.

Arms Race and Alliances

An arms race and the formation of two alliance systems—the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente—contributed to the escalating tensions.

Key Stages of World War I

The War of Movement (1914)

Germany's Schlieffen Plan aimed for a swift conquest of France. German forces occupied Ypres, Ghent, and Bruges, drawing Great Britain into the war. Japan, seizing the opportunity, declared war on Germany, targeting German possessions in China and the Pacific.

The War of Position (1915-1916)

The front lines stabilized into extensive trench systems. Costly offensives, including the use of poison gas, resulted in heavy casualties but failed to significantly shift the front.

Changes in 1917

Russia's withdrawal following the Bolshevik Revolution allowed Germany to concentrate its forces on the Western Front. This advantage was offset by the United States' entry into the war on the Allied side, prompted by Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare.

The End of the War (1918)

An Allied offensive across all fronts led to the gradual surrender of the Central Powers. The war concluded with Germany signing an armistice and the abdication of Emperor Wilhelm II, leading to the proclamation of a German republic.

Triggering Event

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo in June 1914 triggered the conflict. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, prompting Russia to intervene in support of Serbia. The alliance system quickly escalated the conflict into a global war. Two main factions emerged: the Central Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary) and the Allied Powers (France, Russia, Great Britain, and Serbia, joined by the USA in 1917).