Europe Map Before First World War | Interesting Facts about the First World War | First World War Documentary

The First World War prevailed in Europe from 28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918. This great war was fought on three continents- Europe, Asia, and Africa.

By the end of the war, four major empires Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary (Hapsburg), and Osmania collapsed.

Three bullets fired from a pistol were the sparks of war. Just a month before the war broke out, on 28 June 1914, the then Austrian-Hungarian empire’s crown prince, Ferdinand, accompanied by his wife Sophie, visited the Bosnia capital, Sarajevo.

Since 1878, the United Kingdom of Austria and Hungary had not only annexed present-day Bosnia-Hertsegovina but also merged it with their empire in 1908.

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First World War and Prince Ferdinand’s Assassination

The monarchy of neighboring Serbia and the then Tsarist Russia. Which considered themselves the guardians of the Slavic castes, was very angry with this merger.

On the other hand, Austria was inciting Croats and Muslims living in Bosnia against Serbs living there. Before the visit of the Prince, riots had also taken place against the Serbs in Sarajevo.

In the same vein, six youths of ‘Mladah Bosna’, a gang of nationalist Serbs, hatched a conspiracy to kill Prince Ferdinand while traveling to Sarajevo.

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Sitting on the ambushed day of 28 June 1914,. The conspirators threw a grenade at the convoy containing several cars of the Crown Prince. Some people were injured, but Prince survived and the convoy moved forward.

When Prince was returning an hour after visiting a hospital. His convoy took a wrong turn and reached a road where one of the conspirators.

A 19-year-old student named Gavrilo Princip was standing. It was Sunday. It was a quarter to eleven o’clock. He did not look at the object; he fired three bullets at Prince with a pistol. Prince as well as his pregnant wife also succumbed after some time.

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European Empire in the First World War

It was only natural that the Austrian became enraged by this assassination. They believed that the Crown Prince and his wife were killed by Serbia.

However, action against Serbia meant that even Russia would jump into the fray to help them. Therefore, Austria defeated the then-German Emperor William II with the idea of ​​keeping Russia away or taking two more hands if necessary.

It assured the Austrian-Hungarian Empire of unconditional support. A similar assurance was given by Serbia to Russia on the same day.

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Just as the world was divided into two factions during the Second World War. Similarly, during the First World War, two powerful imperialist factions of Europe were face to face.

On one side was a coalition agreement of 31 August 1909, the ‘Allies’ faction of the French name ‘Antant’ (friendship) of Tsarist Russia, France, and Britain. It was also called the ‘Allied Nation Trio’ (Triple Antant).

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On the other side was the threesome of the German Empire, the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, and the monarchy of Italy, called the Central Powers. This group was also close to the then-Osmani Empire of Turkey.

This faction, with intermediate powers, used to sit nineteen in front of the Allied trio, both in terms of military power and financially. Even then, he had too much intoxication at his muscle power.

Three weeks after the Sarajevo assassination, from 20 to 23 July, the then President of France, Raymond Pouvacar, and Prime Minister René Viviani were in the Russian capital, St. Petersburg.

Both countries believed that Serbia could not be blamed for the murder of the Austrian-Hungarian crown prince.

Therefore, if there is an attack on Serbia and Russia has to help it, France will support Russia. After this, the cycle of events went fast.

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On 28 July 1914, Emperor of France Joseph of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire duly signed the declaration of war against Serbia.

It is said that the emperors wanted to postpone the declaration of war by 12 August, but Germany was pressuring them to “speak openly soon.”

Shortly after midnight on 28 August, cannabis began firing on Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.

After this, there was an influx of military assemblies and declarations of war. On August 1, Germany declared war on Russia.

German troops captured Luxembourg on 2 August, heading towards Belgium and France. On 3 August, France and Britain declared war against Germany on 4 August.

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Involvement of the British in the First World War

On the same day, that is, on August 4, 1914, the governments of all the colonies of Britain at that time, including India, also announced that they too were at war against the intermediate powers, including Germany.

By November 1914, the vast Osmanian empire of Turkey at that time spread to southeastern Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa, and also came under the grip of World War.

Countries like Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, etc. used to be under the flag of Turkey’s Osmani empire till 100 years ago.

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Britain, Germany, and France had the largest number of Indian soldiers of Britain in all the soldiers of their respective colonies at that time in the First World War.

They had to fight his first battle in the harsh winter of 1914 and 15 on France’s Ip Front.

A total of 1,38,000 Indian soldiers fought there. Half the soldiers in the fierce battle of Nauve Chapel from 10 to 12 March 1915, were Indians.

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World Map Post the First World War

After the First World War, Germany was imposed an economic penalty of 269 billion gold marks (erstwhile German currency).

This was equivalent to the price of 1 lakh tons of gold. This economic penalty was imposed on Germany under the Treaty of Versailles on 28 June 1919, exactly 100 years ago.

However, it was later revised and reduced several times, but it was still enough that it took Germany a full 91 years to repay it.

Along with this, many strong economic and military sanctions were also imposed on Germany.

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The Allies (America, France, Britain, Italy, and others) who had won the war, held Germany responsible for inciting the First World War.

In the future, such strictures were not imposed, so strict restrictions were imposed on Germany.

However, this thinking of the Allies proved to be wrong and later the stringent provisions of this treaty led to the Second World War.

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Europe Map Before First World War Analysis

The map of Europe in the years leading up to World War I (1914-1918) was a complex tapestry of empires, kingdoms, and nascent nation-states, each with its ambitions, anxieties, and alliances.

Dominating Empires Before the First World War

1. German Empire: A young and powerful nation, unified in 1871, flexing its military and industrial muscle, seeking overseas colonies.
2. Austro-Hungarian Empire: A multi-ethnic patchwork of Slavs, Magyars, and Germans, facing rising nationalism and internal tensions.
3. Ottoman Empire: A declining power, clinging to vast but restive territories in the Balkans and Middle East.
4. Russian Empire: An autocratic giant, modernizing but facing social unrest and revolutionary stirrings.

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Other Key Players Before the First World War

1. France: Recovering from defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), wary of German expansion, and seeking allies.
2. Great Britain: The world’s dominant power, but facing challenges from Germany and rising socialist movements at home.
3. Italy: A newly unified nation, harboring territorial ambitions and seeking a greater role on the world stage.

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Tangled Alliances Before First World War

1. Triple Entente: France, Russia, and Britain, bound by mutual defense pacts, forming the core of the Allied Powers during the war.
2. Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (later joined by Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire), forming the Central Powers.

Seeds of Conflict Before First World War

1. Nationalism: Rising ethnic and cultural consciousness, particularly in the multi-ethnic empires, fueled desires for self-determination and independence.
2. Imperialism: Competition for colonies and resources abroad created friction and suspicion between powers.
3. Militarism: Glorification of military power and an arms race among nations heightened tensions.

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The Spark Before the First World War

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in June 1914 by a Serbian nationalist triggered a chain reaction of diplomatic failures, alliances dragging nations into war, and Europe plunged into the devastating conflict that reshaped the 20th century.

Further Exploration Before the First World War

This is just a brief overview. To delve deeper, you can explore specific regions, events, or figures that shaped this complex period. Resources like detailed historical maps, interactive timelines, and primary source documents can bring the era to life.

Remember, World War I’s origins were not simple or inevitable. Understanding the political, social, and economic forces at play in Europe before 1914 is crucial to grasping the magnitude and complexity of this global conflict.

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Fascinating Interesting Facts about the First World War

Unexpected Twists

1. Carrier Pigeons: These feathered heroes delivered over 700,000 messages during the war, saving countless lives. One, named Cher Ami, even received the French Croix de Guerre for her bravery!
2. Christmas Truce: In 1914, soldiers on opposite sides spontaneously laid down arms and shared Christmas carols and games in no man’s land. This brief moment of humanity amidst the chaos remains a powerful symbol of peace.
3. Secret Weapon: Pigeons with tiny cameras strapped to their backs! These “pigeon cameras” captured aerial photos of enemy lines, providing valuable intelligence.

Beyond the Battlefield

1. Women’s Power: With men at war, women stepped up to fill essential roles in factories, farms, and even the police force. This forever changed the landscape of female workforce participation.
2. Fashion Faux Pas: Gas masks became essential, but early versions looked downright terrifying! Imagine soldiers charging across No Man’s Land with leather snouts and googly eyes. Talk about an intimidation tactic!
3. Animal Heroes: Dogs sniffed out bombs, horses carried supplies, and even trained pigeons delivered messages. Animals played a crucial role in the war effort.

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Technological Leaps

1. Tanks: These lumbering giants first appeared on the battlefield in 1916, revolutionizing warfare. While clunky and prone to breakdowns, they marked a turning point in military technology.
2. Code-breaking: Bletchley Park in England housed Britain’s top code-breakers, deciphering German messages and giving the Allies critical advantages. The Enigma machine remained a mystery until Polish mathematicians cracked its code early in the war.
3. Propaganda Blitz: Both sides used posters, films, and even postcards to paint the enemy in a negative light and boost morale at home. Uncle Sam and Britannia became iconic wartime figures.

Remember, these are just a few fascinating glimpses into the vast and complex tapestry of the First World War.

Keep exploring to discover more about this pivotal moment in history, and remember the stories of courage, sacrifice, and innovation that emerged from the darkness of the trenches.

First World War Documentary: FAQ

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