Major Causes and Events of World War I
World War I
Take a look at the major events that led to World War I, the major alliances, and the outcome of this bloody conflict. Click the player to begin.
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New Weapons Technology
World War I featured new technologies such as machine guns. Rather than engaging the enemy in an open field, each side dug trenches for their men to take cover against this very effective weapon. A large percentage of the war was fought with both sides battling from trenches. Military units would lose thousands of men battling for the few hundred yards of territory between trenches often referred to as "no man's land." Take a look at the following image to see how the British designed their trenches.
Now observe the following photograph of British soldiers fighting in a trench. As you can see, in real life the trenches were not as neat and orderly as designed.
Armies also used tanks and poison gas to attack one another. Germany was particularly successful in using its submarines. Also known as U-boats, these submarines were used to attack the navies of the Allied Powers. U-boats also captured supply ships to prevent them from sending goods and military equipment to the front lines.
Colonial Soldiers
Europeans weren't the only ones fighting the war. World War I even extended to the colonial possessions around the world as battles were fought in Africa and in Asia. Many people in the colonies believed that by fighting for the mother country’s army they would prove that they were equals of the Europeans and gain more rights, or perhaps even independence.
The majority of these colonial soldiers fought in Europe for the colonial powers against their enemies. Well over 100,000 colonial subjects died fighting for the European nations including almost 75,000 from India alone.
Although they fought bravely and many were killed for a war which had little to do with them, none of these colonies were made independent for their efforts. German colonial possessions were merely parceled out amongst the victors as part of the spoils of war. This does not mean that the colonial subjects gave up their dreams of independence; many organized early nationalist movements to push for freedom that would pay off later.
Major Causes and Events of World War I Review
Now that you have explored the causes and major events of World War I, practice what you have learned in this interactivity. Read each question and select the most appropriate answer. Click the player to get started.