World War I

World War I

by: Jonathan Hays, European News, January 8, 2012

On July 28, 1914, one of the worlds largest wars was started: World War I. This was was entirely centered around Europe (being the one of the most, if not, the most, important continent on the world map). Many controversies go around today on how World War I was started. The most popular and well -known reason is the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir of the Austro-Hungarian throne. A group called the Black Hand (a Serbian Nationalist Secret Society) organized and completed the assassination. Austria-Hungary was looking for an excuse at the time to prevent Serbia from growing. They were looking towards weakening Serbia and taking back land in the Balkens that they had lost to Serbia. Soon after the assassination, Austria-Hungary allied Germany in war against the Serbians, and possibly the Russians. Russia then allied Serbia after hearing about this, and the war began to spread. Britain then allied France and Belgium, thus declaring war on Germany. With Britain declaring war, Canada, India, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa entered the war against Germany, due to the fact that they were all colonies of Britain. The US then entered the war fighting against Germany, due to their submarines preventing commercial shipping from the US. This fighting quickly spread around the world.

One main leader during WWI was Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States of America. When the war first began, he tried to not be involved, but Germany's submarines were preventing a lack of commercial trade, causing Wilson to declare war. During the war, he quoted, "We will not choose the path of submission." Another important leader was Vittorio Emanuele Orland, the prime minister of Italy at the time. He demanded more land for Italy, but failed while trying to receive it. One leader who maintained the war was Nicholas II, who was leading Russia. He wanted to claim the world as his, and gain complete power. His negligence led to the loss of Russia. Lastly, Emperor Franz Josef I began the war by making the treaty with Germany to fight against Serbia. 

One main weapon used by the British (and most other countries) was the bolt-action rifle. It is estimated that 15 rounds could be fired per minute per person. The range of this weapon was up to 14,000 meters. Technological advances in weaponry also occurred at this time. Advancements such as tanks and zeppelins were used for attack during this war. Zeppelins were often used by the Germans to bomb other countries. They contained weaponry such as machine guns, and bombs. The first tank was also developed during this time. It could only travel 3 mph, though, and required three people to run it.

At the end of the war, many losses occurred. Russia was now suffering from a social and economic downfall, with their leader killed and 7 million soldiers and civilians dead. Austria-Hungary, however, gain many treaties. Some of which included the Treaty of Saint-Germain and Treaty of Trianon. They did also have losses, though. They lost the Southern half of the County of Tyrol and Trieste to Italy and separated into two separate countries. Overall the losses exceeded the gains. Many countries lost land and had economic issues relating to the war. 8 million soldiers died and an approximate 12 million civilians died from the war.

Sources:
"The home front: Man builds 60ft-long World War I TRENCH in his back garden - and then invites history buffs round for re-enactment," last modified November 1, 2012, accessed January 8, 2013, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2226235/Historian-Andrew-Robertshaw-builds-60ft-long-First-World-War-TRENCH-Surrey-garden-highlight-plight-frontline-Tommies.html.

"Causes of World War I," last updated August 22, 2009, accessed January 8, 2013, http://www.firstworldwar.com/origins/causes.htm.

"Why World War I Started," last updated December 10, 2012, accessed January 8, 2012, http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/12/what-started-world-war-i/.

"Biographies of Military and Political Leaders of World War I," accessed January 8, 2013, http://library.thinkquest.org/10927/leadwwi.htm.