World war

M18 tank destroyer fires its 90mm gun point-blank at a Nazi pillbox emplacement to clear a path through a side street in Brest, France. September, 1944. (49811749312)

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General gouraud french army world war i machinegun marne 1918

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The British Army in the Normandy Campaign 1944 B8553

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DF-ST-82-06464 Troops from the 82nd Airborne Division are dropped by parachute during exercise Reforger '80

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Wojciech Kossak The Battle of Zorndorf (1758) 1899

World War refers to a global conflict involving many of the world's nations. The term is most commonly used to describe two major international conflicts of the 20th century: World War I (1914–1918) and World War II (1939–1945). These wars were characterized by their widespread nature, the involvement of multiple countries from different continents, and the significant impact they had on history, politics, and society.

World War I

World War I, also known as the First World War or the Great War, was a global war centered in Europe. It began on July 28, 1914, with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, an event that led to a chain reaction of alliances being activated. Major participants included the Allied Powers, primarily France, Russia, and Britain, later joined by Italy and the United States, against the Central Powers, mainly Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria. The war ended on November 11, 1918, with an Allied victory and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. The conflict was marked by the use of trench warfare on the Western Front, leading to massive casualties without significant territorial changes. It resulted in the dissolution of empires, redrawing of borders, and set the stage for World War II.

World War II

World War II was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations. It was the deadliest conflict in human history, marked by 70 to 85 million fatalities. The war was primarily fought between two major alliances: the Allies, led by the United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom, and the Axis Powers, led by Germany, Italy, and Japan. World War II was notable for acts of genocide, including the Holocaust, the use of nuclear weapons in combat, and the direct and indirect involvement of civilians in the war effort. The war ended with the unconditional surrender of the Axis Powers in 1945, leading to the establishment of the United Nations and setting the stage for the Cold War.

Causes and Consequences

The causes of the World Wars are complex and multifaceted, including militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism. The consequences of these conflicts were profound, leading to the redrawing of borders, the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers, and the beginning of the Cold War era. The wars also led to significant technological and medical advancements, though at the cost of unprecedented destruction and loss of life.

Legacy

The legacy of the World Wars continues to influence global politics, economics, and society. The establishment of international bodies like the United Nations was intended to prevent future conflicts of such scale. Remembrance of the wars, their veterans, and their victims remains an important aspect of the cultural memory of participating countries.