Causes of World War I
World War I, which lasted from 1914 to 1918, was one of the most impactful conflicts in human history. Various factors contributed to the outbreak of this war. First, nationalism which gave rise to rivalry between European countries can be considered as the main cause. Large countries such as Germany and France competed with each other for influence and power.
Second, military alliances formed between countries fuel tensions. This alliance system, including the Triple Entente alliance (Britain, France, Russia) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy), created divisions that made the situation worse when conflict occurred.
Third, imperialism makes big countries compete with each other to control colonies in Africa and Asia. Competition for new resources and markets adds to the tension. Fourth, the incident of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria on June 28 1914 was the trigger that sparked war. This action prompted Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia, which was supported by Russia.
Impact of World War I
The impact of World War I was profound and widespread. First, the loss of life in this war reached around 10 million soldiers and 7 million civilians. The injuries and psychological trauma experienced by many soldiers created a ‘lost generation’ who shared their bitter experiences. Second, significant geopolitical changes occurred, with many of Europe’s great empires collapsing, including the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Russian Empire.
Third, World War I changed the social and political map of Europe. The emergence of new states, including Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia, made the situation even more complex. The Treaty of Versailles in 1919, which established terms of peace with Germany, exacerbated tensions, creating a sense of injustice that contributed to the emergence of World War II.
Fourth, economic aspects are also affected. Many European countries experienced post-war economic collapse, inflation, and high unemployment. Long-term impacts are also seen in social changes, such as the increasing role of women in society, as they replaced the roles of men who went to war.
Fifth, this war encouraged the rapid development of military technology. Modern weapons such as tanks, automatic rifles, and fighter aircraft were widely used, setting new standards in future armed conflicts and wars.
Sixth, psychologically, the war left a deep mark on society, with many people questioning their destiny and purpose in life after witnessing the emptiness of war. World War I was not only an armed conflict, but also a cultural and ideological transformation for the entire world.
Understand that the impact of World War I can still be felt today, both in global politics, economics and relations between countries.