Turning Moments Of The War
The ebb and flow of conflict in three continents, over four years, shifting frontlines, final conclusions
An overview: the hope, the turning points, the causes, the belligerents, the impact, the futility...
Turning Moments Of The War
The ebb and flow of conflict in three continents, over four years, shifting frontlines, final conclusions
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
The Great War started with hope for a final, speedy solution to perceived wrongs. It ended up crowning every hope with bitter irony. In all, over 12 million soldiers died.
The War ended with an overwhelming sense of futility over the millions of lives lost in heedless frontal assaults. Its memorials are couched in solemn epitaphs.
Q How and where did World War I start?
The decades before 1914, under Kaiser Wilhelm-II, were marked by strident German militarism, reactive arms races from France, Britain, Russia, and an interlocking system of alliances that split colonial-era Europe into warring camps. The Balkan states—Serbia, Montenegro, Romania—carved out of the Ottoman empire, were coveted by both Austria and Russia. In 1908, Austria annexes Bosnia-Herzegovina. Six years later, Autrian heir Franz Ferdinand is shot down in its capital Sarajevo. An angry Austria is goaded by Germany to serve an ultimatum to Serbia. Europe is on the warpath.
Q Who were the main belligerents?
The Central powers: Germany, with Austria-Hungary or the Habsburg Empire, as well as the Ottoman Empire, on its side. Entente powers: Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Japan and later the United States ended up on the other side. Since most of them were imperial powers, they mobilised large numbers of men and resources from their colonies in different parts of the world for the war effort. Thus, though essentially a European war, it spread to the colonies, notably Africa, Palestine and Iraq. As a British colony, India had its allegiance decided ipso facto.
Q What was the main impact of the war on the world?
The consequences of the war were many—it helped create the situation for the Communist revolution in Russia in 1917 (which descended into Stalinism), and fascism in Italy and Germany. It also led to attempts by Britain and France for expansion in West Asia, whose dire consequences are still felt. And it thrust global hegemony on the US. It also deepened Sino-Japanese tensions, and merely papered over fissures in the Balkans. It created the League of Nations—aimed at stopping strife between ‘great powers’. Many historians believe WW-I also set India on the freedom path.