World War I: The Beginning of a Global Conflict

World War I, which lasted from 1914 to 1918, marked a dramatic change in global history. Involving more than 30 countries, this conflict arose from political, military and social tensions in Europe. The collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the rise of nationalism in the Balkans were the main triggering factors. The shooting of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Gavrilo Princip on 28 June 1914 in Sarajevo was the immediate trigger that sparked the war. A complex network of alliances between European countries, such as the German Allianz and the Triple Entente consisting of France, Russia and Britain, exacerbated the situation. When Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia, Russia immediately expressed support for Serbia, while Germany, as an ally of Austria-Hungary, declared war on Russia on 1 August 1914. This caused a domino effect throughout Europe. When the battle begins, traditional war tactics collide with modern technology. Machine guns, heavy artillery, and poison gas were used on a large scale for the first time. Battles such as Verdun and the Somme depict the unimaginable horrors of war, with millions of casualties on both sides. In addition, trench warfare became a hallmark of the Western front, where soldiers were trapped in terrible conditions for years. The emergence of new states and changes in the world’s political map were also impacts of World War I. The Russian Revolution in 1917 changed alliances, and the newly established Bolshevik state negotiated peace with Germany through the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Meanwhile, the United States, initially neutral, finally entered the war in 1917, providing a significant boost to the Allies. The economic and social crisis resulting from the war affected the stability of many countries. The Treaty of Versailles of 1919, which resulted in the collapse of the German Empire, created fertile conditions for the rise of extremism in Europe. The sanctions imposed by the victory shook the social economy, resulting in the emergence of totalitarian ideologies in the affected countries. World War I was not just a regional conflict but was the beginning of a new era of global conflict. Its impact is felt into the 21st century, shaping geopolitics, international relations, and ideas about war and peace. These changes have much to teach us about the instability that can result from conflict, as well as the need for diplomacy and international cooperation in preventing similar tragedies in the future.