World War I, commonly referred to as WWI, was a major conflict that started on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918. The conflict has been a source of great controversy since the outbreak of the First World War, when thousands of people died and millions were displaced. While this war was a tragedy for both sides, its causes remain a mystery to this day. In this article, we’ll explore some of the main causes and effects of this conflict.
As the First World War began, Europe greeted the war with open arms. Very few people had any idea that the conflict would last four years. Most believed that their country would win within months. In addition to this, they welcomed the war on patriotic grounds as a necessary defensive measure and idealistically as one that would protect the sanctity of treaties and international morality. Despite the initial enthusiasm for war, the effects of the war were not positive for many countries.
During the first year of the war, Germany and Austria-Hungary declared war on each other, but this was quickly counterbalanced by events on the eastern front. Two revolutionary movements occurred in Russia during 1917: one overthrew the imperial government and the second brought the Bolsheviks to power. These events are now collectively known as the Russian Revolution. They resulted in the destruction of many cities, including Paris and London.