The Great War: WWI - The First World War

1914. The Origin of The War The industrial revolution, started in the last decades of the eighteenth century, triggered the economic expansion towards the colonies, particularly those in the African continent. Nationalism, imperialism and militarism had provoked different colonial conflicts among the European powers, which however managed to maintain a period of tranquillity known as “Peace through strength”, which broke irreparably on the 28th of June of 1914.

1915. Globalization of the Conflict This was the first year of war. On the Western front, the Germans had managed to establish firm positions and in the East. The Italians and Austro-Hungarians clashed in the battles of the Isonzo River, while the British troops suffered a disaster in Gallipoli, in the Middle East, in a battle with the Turks.

1916. The Great Offensives Throughout the year, the Allies deployed a huge military force in the areas of the Ottoman Empire in Mesopotamia, Arabia and Palestine.

1917. Changes in the Fronts The Russian revolution was a decisive development for both fronts.

1918. The Ending Year The armies of the Central European Empires were exhausted, as well as the French and British troops. On the Eastern front, the Russians withdrew from the fight and the Germans moved their forces towards the Western front, where they attempted several desperate offensives before the arrival of the American troops. Germany ended up being the great looser. As the war ended, four empires disappeared, Russia had become a communist state and in central Europe the German population was bitter with rancour.

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Lydbog: 18. december 2020