The war which broke out in August 1914 was not the first global conflict that mankind had ever waged. Suffice it to recall the Seven-year War in the XVIII century or the Napoleonic Wars in the XIX, raging in different continents and implicating hundreds of thousands of human beings, to make the above point clear.
Yet, there was something quite distinct in the nature of First World War, something going beyond the mere scale (staggering as it was), something which earned the war from its very outset the cognomen "the Great War."
I would like to ask you then what it was that distinguished this conflict from all other preceding conflicts. Why, after all, was it dubbed "the First World War" and what was so "universal" about it if not a mere scale of it?
Yet, there was something quite distinct in the nature of First World War, something going beyond the mere scale (staggering as it was), something which earned the war from its very outset the cognomen "the Great War."
I would like to ask you then what it was that distinguished this conflict from all other preceding conflicts. Why, after all, was it dubbed "the First World War" and what was so "universal" about it if not a mere scale of it?
The First World War, which Europeans call “Great War”, had a huge implication for all countries over the world. What was so significant in this war, that it can be called so? Firstly, the war took place exclusively in Europe, Europe, at that time, was the center of the world, so this war could no longer be considered as the world war. Secondly, the First World War predetermined future fights. So Nazism, Fascism, II World War are direct generations of the First World War. Thirdly, The Great War completely destroyed the old Europe. The Great Powers lost their former power and mired in debts. From world creditor Europe became world debtor. European Imperialism also collapsed. German had lost its colonies. While morally and economically exhausted Britain and France could not keep under control a huge number of colonies. Finally, the War destroyed the principle of balance between Great Powers.
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ReplyDeleteIt is important to mention that World War is a war, when a major political and economic goals are prosecuted; affected the interests of many countries; maximum use of all kinds and means of struggle which is carried out with the participation of large coalitions of states. As you have read all this factors, without any obstacle we can call the First World War «universal» and «World» , because in this war a major political and economic goals were prosecuted in the center of the world- Europe
ReplyDeleteLikewise, war did not confine to Europe and participate in it apart from many other European powers. There were : Germany , Austria-Hungary , the Ottoman Empire , Bulgaria, Russia , France, Britain , Japan , Serbia, United States , Italy , Montenegro , Belgium , Egypt , Portugal, Romania , Greece, Brazil, China, Cuba , Nicaragua , Siam , Haiti , Liberia , Panama, Guatemala, Honduras , Costa Rica , Bolivia , Dominican Republic , Peru , Uruguay , Ecuador. The reasons why the First World War called «universal» : the aspirations of all this countries to seize new territories, colonies and remove section of competitors, moreover; the desire of countries to divert people's attention from internal problems. All this reasons had led to war
Therefore, I guess, that this is pertinently and necessary to call First World War «universal ».
Why World War was called the "World"? Pondering this question, I came to the conclusion that this is because World War has greatly influenced the world.
ReplyDeleteWithout excluding the fact that it has covered almost the whole world, exactly as a result of the First World War, the most powerful in the past four world empires ceased to exist. I mean, Russian, German, Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman .
Moreover World War I has a great significance in terms of technological progress. It is on this battlefields of war appeared tanks, planes, submarines, machine guns, chemical weapons, and much more.
First World War caused the end of an epoch. The Epoch of kings, nobles, nobility. To replace it came the era of capitalism, in which we live till now, when the only value in the world became money.
At the beginning of 20th century mankind has suffered a large scaled war. From whole 59 countries that existed at the 1920th, 38 of them or 70% of world population participated. Hence the influence of this war felt by the most remote parts of the globe. It would have been otherwise if conflicting sides had not have navy or planes. Consequences of this war were severe, from number of people dead, up to a number of countries that have ceased to exist. Despite these facts military technology has improved significantly, during war time industrialization was taken further and political boundary of allied countries was taken into a new level. Due to these effects that were unlike to all other ones happened prior, the war between 1914-1918 is truly the first world war.
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly true that ‘The First World War’ differ significantly from all other preceding conflicts. The major distinguishing feature is large number of countries and people involved in it, enormous human and material losses in the war. Also the War gave a powerful impetus to the development of science and technology. Thus, the first tank was introduced by British on September 15, 1916, but finally became effective in 1918. The Germans first used deadly chlorine gas. Aircrafts which were used for observation and artillery ranging became the most dramatic new weapon. But does this mean that all these reasons are to be called a ‘World War? War is called "The World" because consequences of the war were the world scale.
ReplyDeleteBut why is called ‘Great War’? The reason is this: ‘Great War’ made a profound change in European society.
«In September 10, 1918 was first introduced the term "First World War". On this day, military commentator of "Times" Colonel Charles Repington made another entry in his diary frontline . Two years later, he published a book , which - 19 years before World War II ! - prophetically titled that old diary entry : "The First World War". Until Repington, war unleashed a shot in Sarajevo , called "the Great", "European", and in Russia , famous historical pessimism and passion to generalizations , in 1914 was named " the World ". But the British journalist in his diary of the last year of the war with confidence of clairvoyant added: "The first".» (scientificrussia.ru)
ReplyDeleteThis war has a total character, involving the entire population and all moral, military and economic capabilities of states.
First time in the history of civilization, there was a huge number of states involved in war: 38 of 59 independent states of that time. It was a confrontation between two major blocks: Triple Entente (Russia, Britain and France) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy) + huge amount of allies on both sides.
There were huge human toll: 10 million soldiers killed, 55 wounded million soldiers and 12 million civilians were killed - huge unimaginable numbers.
This war was the most technologically in the history of civilization. First used tanks, submarines, aircraft, chemical weapons, flame throwers, machine guns, mortars and torpedoes. Militarization of the economy has led to the development of infrastructures: energy systems, railways, road networks.
Great and universal this war may also be called for what it led to a turning point for the fate of many nations and states. As a result of this war, broke four empires: Russian, German, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian. There are major European independent state, existing to this day Belarus, Ukraine, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Estonia, Finland, Yugoslavia, Austria and the German Republic. (ru.wikipedia.org)
I think no matter what significant names was given to wars, no matter how stimulating effect it has on the development of science and technology, war is war, it only attracts an end to mankind.
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." Albert Einstein. (Calaprice, Alice (2005). The new quotable Einstein. P.173)
I like you comment, I especially about Albert Einstein and Colonel Charles Repington
DeleteThank you! Yeap, this phrase is pretty funny and also has a good meaning.
DeleteSweet and lovely death for the Motherland.
ReplyDeleteThere are also features, Apart from all the above reasons that my classmates has already mentioned.
Important role, even I would say , the decisive factor is- the People, or rather their ATTITUDE, attitude to things which happend around , and perception of themselves as a part of one huge mechanical machine with scary name- the First World War .
People fought, although they knew that it may disabled them or they will die. But the quantity of solgiers did not decriese . Usual people, who does not understand strategy of war, or principles of politics, not really interested against whom they are fightening. The 'Lost Generation'- is «hollow men» receiving suffering , physical and moral pain instead of their lives , aspirations, goals and freedom. They are doomed to exist, not alive, not even die.
“Between the idea\And the reality\Between the motion\And the act\Falls the Shadow\For Thine is the Kingdom” ©The Hollow men by Elliot
Extinction of modern humanity , the loss and the accompanying grief this is « the way the worlds ends\not with with a bang, but a whimper» © by Wilfred Owen.
At period of First World War there were written great poems are distinguished by their spirit, which filled with inspiration . Inspiration of the War. People were inspired! they had a sense of existence , they felt that they have done something that will give their life more meaning.It is an indescribable sense of duty, sense of purpose. It's a deeper impulse, comming inside your body, almost essential.
Those feelings were skilfully used by Heads of six Great Powers (who were responsible of the war) by dinning into men's head " it is sweet and right to die for your country”
By surfing some info about the topic i Came across one video, which i think will be interesting for watching))
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVTEqG9enEY
The war that is called universal, is not the conflict of two or several states, it is an opposition of the majority of the largest and developed countries, which are divided into blocks, with retraction in this conflict of small and less developed countries. The Great War or as simply is called the First World War began on 28 July 1914, almost 100 years ago. War is called as "universal" becuse 38 countries participated. There were 59 independent countries in the war (for comparison: now the United Nations includes 193 states). Of course, the war was only in Euope, but also could be considered as global because of the fact that Europe was the Center of the world (Europe stopped being the center of the world because of this self-destructive war). For the same reason, the Napoleonic wars can be evaluated as an universal.
ReplyDeleteFurther to the above, I want to say, that there are three arguments that distinguished this conflict from all other preceding conflicts. Firstly, it is the term of the war and a huge length of the territories where military actions have passed. Secondly, it is the mainstream use of new equipment and modern means of warfare. Thirdly, it is the enormous expenditures of the materials.
So, talking about the World War, we must say that it was not so unexpected event. Their efforts backfired on themselves, and this War occurred. This War is called Great War, because 38 of 59 independent country took a part in this. Technological progress and implementation of technology in military affairs led in changes of military strategy and tactics of the military art. Also the War was required in structural changes in the system of public administration, which showed weak points and mistakes of governments. For example, there was militarisation of economy and raising tax in Russia. Huge mobilization had an ideological character a-la "Save your Homeland". Furthermore, there was massively used tanks, submarines and machine guns. It was the most cruel war at that time, so, in my opinion, it's a cause to call this War "Great" and "First".
ReplyDeleteSurely I agree with all of you and yours opinion that the area and the loss of war were huge. Therefore I don't want to repeat all that you wrote.
ReplyDeleteSo I have other guess.
During the First World War, submarines and airships were used for the first time (they were not used in the other "great" wars like the Seven-year War, Napoleonic Wars). That is to say the air, the sea ( for example, Atlantic U-boat Campaign) were the battleground as well as the land was. It's my first assumption. The second is the participation of all continents including Australia.
Why the First World War was called the First World War ? I think the first reason why it is so called because in this war participated 38 countries , the second reason is because it involved such powers as Russia England Germany France and the Ottoman Empire , etc. in addition, in the war fought more than 74 million people , and 10 million killed.
ReplyDeleteWhy the first world war had the name "universal"? I think, because the conflicts were not only in the economic sphere , but also in political and scientific.
Participation in the war of 38 from 59 existed at that moment countries- that is the reason why do we call this war as World War. As we have studied earlier in our history lessons, we know that almost the entire world was in a colonial dependence from the countries of the Great Power. So, they were the beginners of the First World War, which later allured other countries. Modern technologies and new weapons were invented during the war. For example, British invented the first tanks, the Germans were first, who used deadly chlorine gas, the Dutch designer Fokker presented aircraft. Also, during the First World War people began to create and use the strategies, that are used today almost everywhere. This war brought enormous human losses, the total number of dead is approximately 10 million people. We should not forget that the war also leads to such disasters as famine and disease from which also many people have died. In conclusion, I would like to say that comparing the First World War with the previous wars, such as Napoleonic, this war has affected more countries, and it introduced many good and bad things, in other words, First World War has imprinted deeper, therefore we call it as a World.
ReplyDeleteThe results of the First World War:
ReplyDelete1) February and October revolutions in Russia
2) November revolution in Germany
3) elimination of four empires: Russia, German, Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary
Germany was weakened economically and geographically, also it ceased to be a monarchy. In the end Germany had to pay money( reparations) according to Versailles Peace. There were big changes in territories of countries, which took part in the war. I fully agree with my classmates that many inventions in sphere of military were opened during the war, such as: tanks, chemical weapons, a plamethrower, aircrafts ans so on. On the other hand, I suppose, if the war had not been happened scientiests would had not found these discoveries. The technology was invented only because people were in need of them. From my point of view, the same facts I can tell about previous struggles. I think, powder and cars were invented in order to shoot at your enemy or to get faster to different locations respectively. It`s a well-known fact that people find new inventions only when they have a reason for, such as war.
Grand scale and protracted World War led to the unprecendented militarization of the economy of industrialized nations. This had an impact on the development of the economies of all major countries.
I want to add, that Doctor of Historical sciences S.V. Volkov concluded that the burden on the Russian economy was lower than in other countries. For instance, only 39% of men aged 15-49 years were mobilized in Russia, in contrast to Germany 81%, Austria-Hungary 74%, France 79%, England 50 % and Italy 72%.
In conclusion, the main explanation to the word "First World War'" is that it included 38 countries and took 10-20 million lives. It has changes people, territories, political opinions. That`s why previous wars were not given the name " First world".
Thank you for attention
Why The First World War called "World"? In my mind,it is an obvious question it's called "WORLD" because the theater of war is not confined to Europe and participated in it apart from many other European powers : Triple Alliance : Germany , Austria-Hungary , the Ottoman Empire , Bulgaria.
ReplyDeleteAllies : Russia , France, Britain , Japan , Serbia.
Allies of the Entente : United States , Italy ( participated in the war on the side of the Allies in 1915 , despite the fact that she was a member of the Triple Alliance ) , Montenegro , Belgium , Egypt , Portugal, Romania , Greece, Brazil, China, Cuba , Nicaragua , Siam , Haiti , Liberia , Panama, Guatemala, Honduras , Costa Rica , Bolivia , Dominican Republic , Peru , Uruguay , Ecuador. 38 countries participated in this bloody event. In the history of humanity has never had such a full warrior.
The First World War is one of the key events in world history . She identified the global evolution of all subsequent time . For four years there was a genuine revolution in the economy , communications, national organization in the social system of the WORLD. The First World War gave the modern form of the national question. She brought into the arena of public life masses without actually participated before in world history. It is the second reason,it changed the world.It completaly covered the WHOLE world.
In conclusion,I would like to finish my answer with one of the Englishman's great words:
" The Great War broke hearts on a scale unseen before the Norman Conquest , and , thank God, the unknown over the past millennium . It dealt a blow to the rational and liberal civilization of the European Enlightenment , and thus , the entire world civilization. Although pre-war Europe was the imperial center , commands respect commitment to the principles of constitutionalism , the rule of law and representative government Postwar Europe has lost confidence in these principles they were lost in Russia after 1917 , in Italy since 1922 , in Germany in 1933, in Spain after 1936 ... Totalitarianism became a political continuation of war by other means ".
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ReplyDeleteAs a child, I truly believed that if somewhere in the world the war occurs, it will affect every single inhabitant of our entire planet. That there will be no man who would not be fettered with the heavy chain of war. And that's why I was scared even of thought that someone may come up with idea of starting war. Of course, sooner after studying history at school, I realized that I was wrong. Although even without the help of books we can easily make up the same conclusion... In Syria, bloodbath began in 2011. And all we can do is to shake our heads, saying ourselves, “Oh, it’s not right! Not right! ". And after a while we just simply forget about it. But during World War I, everything was different. Great War differed by its scale. Which means that many people lived under the oppression of war. Also, the war cost us great sacrifices in blood and treasure. But instead of material and human casualties, mankind has made a huge leap in the development of weapons. There are the first tanks, anti-aircraft and widely used anti-tank guns, flamethrowers. Aviation became an independent arm of the service. And in the end, after the First World War, the Austro-Hungarian Empire no longer existed and the Ottoman Empire collapsed. Yeah, we can surely say that this war left us with tremendous aftermaths. Isn’t that enough to call it The First World War?
ReplyDeleteP.S. So,after todays class me and my classmates realised that everything said above is not something that distinguishes this war from other. Anyway I thought it would be more fair if I will post here my original text which I wrote before our lesson. Also I want to upload here the same text but in russian
"В детстве я искренне верила в то, что если где-то в мире бушует война, это затронет всех жителей планеты Земля. Что не останется человека, которого не оковали бы цепи войны. И именно поэтому я боялась того что в чью-то голову может прийти мысль о том чтобы развязать войну. Конечно, вскоре изучив историю в школе, я поняла, что была не права. Хотя и без учебников можно с легкостью прийти к такому выводу… В Сирии кровопролитная война началась еще в 2011 году. А все что мы можем сделать это покачать головой, приговаривая «Не хорошо это, не хорошо!». А через некоторое время просто на просто забудем об этом. Но во время Первой Мировой Войны все было по-другому. В первую очередь Великая Война отличалась своим масштабом. (Что же именно поэтому ее и называют мировой). Что означает, что многие люди жили под гнетом войны. Невозможно не упомянуть о том насколько много жизней забрала Первая Мировая Война, нежели ранее происходившие. Но взамен материальных и людских жертв человечество сделало большой прыжок в развитии оружия. Появились первые танки, широко использовались зенитные и противотанковые орудия, огнемёт. Авиация стала самостоятельным родом войск. И в конце концов, после первой мировой войны возникла республика Австрия, а Османская империя распалась. И подводя итоги, можно с уверенностью сказать, что это война принесла много изменений, не достаточно ли этого чтобы по праву назвать ее Первой Мировой Войной? "
As have been said, in the war participated 38 countries, which is solid argument to say " The First World War". The national interests of the Great Powers were so conflict and to reconcile with each other was impossible. This brings the sense of word "universal". Universal was the impact of the war to all countries. Some countries successed, others failed in their plans. However, most of countries never fully recovered from the effects of the First World War. I suppose, it is main reason of calling the war universal, because our mankind is still suffering from all mistakes of the past.
ReplyDeleteTo everything above told, I want to add my point of view. Certainly, till this time there were wars, but nevertheless, the period from 1914 to 1918 became in the history very significant event. As well as spoke earlier, this war has global scales. It has shattering losses, more than 54 million people were lost.
ReplyDeleteI liked Churchill's opinion. He said that the person who has taken in hand the weapon, falls a victim of death. I join his words and I think if the world was given one more chance, probably, war it would be possible to avoid! Though many also would disagree with me, but I believe that the world can become kinder and more reasonable. In total in our hands!
Every war has there uniqueness because of the difference of aim , the territory where it happened , how many countries were participated. To answer this question and to be more clear why the First world war was different from others, as you mentioned like Napoleonic wars I decided to write the main difference of them. Similarity : The amount of people involved and death losses.( enormous ) The main is The Napoleonic Wars were predatory in nature, since the aim was to expanding the boundaries of the empire. The meaning of WWI and all other world wars is gain, the enslavement of other nations, getting fame in the history of memory, honor and glory.
ReplyDeleteThe bottom line is that the First World War began after the murder of one person , but since then the country divided into alliances and pacts , they were forced to defend each other , since it is primarily authority fidelity , ie if Germany had not interceded for Austria-Hungary and Russia for Serbia that they simply cease to trust other countries. Even if we compare war with Napoleon and others , the numbers will seem very minuscule in terms of death, and other resources spent . But just if not WWI , there would be no arms race and people would not have been able to reach the latest technology that we use in our time , it's unknown and stagnated at which time we would be living now!
ReplyDeleteI think the reason is that people at that time were aware of the role the war can play in the history of mankind . Yet no war destroyed many empires like the First World War . But so many empires and began to prosper after the war. The U.S. was the largest creditor , Germany fell drastically . But most importantly , there were alliances and associations. Countries have begun to share on organizations that was the reason for any further conflicts. NATO would not be , there would be intrusion on Libya and Syria. Communists would not be , there would be war on the Korean peninsula.
ReplyDeleteThat participated in the war of 38 countries, fought more than 74 million people, of which a small amount was mutilated and killed already is the factor why this war was called "The World". And the fact that in this war to resolve conflicts global scale, then it had a big impact on the economy and politics, is a factor in why called "First World War". The war led to the destruction of many countries, as before I said, was a great misfortune.
ReplyDelete