Expectations of a Short War in 1914
World War I was the first major global battle of the twentieth century. It began in July 1914 when Austria-Hungary attacked Serbia (Lecture: World War I, n.d.). This resulted in mobilization and war between European countries. The war started with several rapid advances and retreats but quickly became a long, violent battlefield stalemate on the Western Front.
The war featured many significant events and battles, including the Battle of the Bulge, the Battle of Verdun, and the sinking of the Lusitania (Lecture: World War I, n.d.). The expectation of a short war was high, as many conflicts in the past had finished quickly. The impacts of modern weapons were not acknowledged, and many people in the administration, soldiers, and the general public assumed that the armed conflict would be short.
Widespread Enthusiasm for War Across Nations
Furthermore, all the countries that entered the war were enthusiastic because of the rise of nationalism in Europe. Secondly, it created the idea that war was needed to resolve conflicts and prevent future wars, and propaganda claimed that the war should have ended before Christmas (Lecture: World War I, n.d.). Moreover, Europe’s economic and social conditions at the time were such that many individuals saw the war as a way to save themselves from poverty. There was a belief that the war would bring economic prosperity and create new jobs.
The Nature of World War I: A Modern Conflict
The First World War was the most significant and most prolonged conflict that had occurred until then. It lasted five years and resulted in the deaths of more than 10 million people. The First World War was the first contemporary war in history, as it was aimed not only at the destruction of enemy troops but also at the destruction of nations. In addition, it was the first war in which many people died due to new technologies, such as poisonous gases and aviation.
Trench Warfare and Its Transformative Impact
Moreover, the general nature of this war was trench warfare, as the use of new bullets and artillery in 1914 forced the enemy to create trenches for shelter (Lecture: World War I, n.d.). Trench warfare became characteristic of the First World War and changed the war in many aspects. The preparation of the war effort included the production of millions of kilometers of trenches explored on both front-line flanks.
These trenches were very complex in structure, complicated or even impossible to breach, and they were the scene of many brutal battles. Trench warfare also resulted in a change in warfare tactics, including the use of new weapon systems such as guns, mortars, aircraft, and poison gas (Lecture: World War I, n.d.). These new weapon systems forced troops to stay in the trenches for long periods, resulting in a vast number of deaths.
Transformations on the Home Front During the War
Finally, significant social, economic, and political changes took place on the home front that significantly impacted the countries involved in the war. For instance, the war led to an increase in the role of women in production and greater independence for many people (Lecture: World War I, n.d.). The war also stimulated the development of science and technology, which played an integral role in the further development of the world. The First World War was a highly controversial period in human history that resulted in many casualties and changed the world order. It revealed how dangerous nationalism and imperialism can be and how quickly a war can lead to disaster.
Reference
Lecture: World War I. (n.d.). [Lecture notes].