The First World War, fought from 1914 to 1918, was one of the largest conflicts in human history. The roots of this conflict can be traced to a number of intersecting factors, including nationalism, imperialism, military alliances, and militarism. Rivalry between great powers, such as England, France, Germany, and Austria-Hungary, created tensions that led to widespread war. One of the main factors is the nationalism that is raging in Europe. Countries such as Germany and Italy, which had recently united, had ambitions to increase their influence on the international arena. On the other hand, Slavic states, especially Serbia, fueled tensions through the desire to maintain their identity and independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria on 28 June 1914 by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist, was the immediate trigger that sparked the conflict. Imperialism also played an important role in the First World War. Great powers struggle for control of territory and resources around the world, resulting in disputes and tensions. A clear example of this conflict was seen in Africa and Asia, where European countries competed for colonies. This dominance is characterized by the desire to exploit resources and expand markets. Militarism, or the policy of maintaining a strong and armed army, further increases the chances of war. Large countries increased their defense budgets and built large armed forces. In this context, military alliances also become very influential. A complex alliance system consisting of the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Russia, and England) resulted in the involvement of many countries in this war even though the conflict began in the Balkans. The impact of the First World War was far-reaching and profound. Millions of lives were lost, the country’s economy was drained, and geopolitical changes occurred dramatically. The creation of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 attempted to end the conflict and redesign the map of Europe. However, harsh provisions against Germany created a sense of dissatisfaction that accumulated and led to the rise of the Nazis. The war also encouraged the emergence of new ideas, including feminism which grew stronger as women entered the workforce to replace the men who fought in the war. Apart from that, social movements have also gained fresh air, giving rise to reflections on human rights and social justice. Modernization in the field of war technology, such as the use of tanks and aircraft for the first time, also changed the way war would be fought in the future. Overall, the First World War was not only an armed conflict, but also appears to be a turning point in world history that brought about major political, economic and social changes. This war illustrates how unresolved tensions can lead to unexpected chaos.
