What makes a war a “world” war?

The First World War began with an assassination in Bosnia. It was a little part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in Europe. How did a fight in a small part of Europe set off a world war?

The truth is, the First World War was much bigger than just a European fight. That was true from the very beginning, in August 1914. In the years that followed, it grew even larger. By 1918, most of the world’s population was at war. Even the countries that tried not to take sides were getting pulled in. Let’s look closer at who was fighting, why they were fighting, and where they were fighting.

Who fought? Empire vs. empire

In August 1914, two large alliances faced off against each other. On one side were Germany and Austro-Hungary, soon joined by the Ottoman Empire. These were the Central Powers. On the other side were the Entente powers. These were France, Russia, and a group of smaller allies including Portugal, Belgium, and Serbia. They were soon joined by Italy and Britain.

All of these were European states. Many of the countries controlled by these states were not in Europe, though. Their empires covered large parts of the world and huge populations. The British Empire was the largest in the world. It ruled over Canada, the Caribbean, Australia, and much of Africa and South Asia, including India. France also had a large empire, mostly in the Caribbean, the Pacific Ocean, Africa, and Southeast Asia. The Ottoman Empire stretched into Arabia. Italy, Portugal, and Belgium all had African colonies. Russia went all the way from the eastern edge of Europe to the Pacific Coast of Asia.

The war was already worldwide in 1914 because of the reach of the empires. Then other states around the world joined the Entente powers. These included Japan in Asia, the United States in North America, and Brazil in South America. In August 1917, the Chinese government declared war on the Central Powers. Most of the world was then at war.

Asking “who fought?” is one thing when you talk about states, alliances, and empires. Let’s look at the real people who marched into battle, though. At the beginning of the war, most of the soldiers were Europeans. That changed quickly. The European empires began to call upon soldiers from countries they controlled. The British Empire brought in more than 1.2 million Indian soldiers. Nigeria sent 17,000 soldiers and 37,000 workers. From Canada, 332,000 soldiers came to fight, and another 444,000 from New Zealand and Australia. France brought 335,000 African troops. Russia drew heavily on troops from Siberia and Central Asia. Later almost 2,000,000 American soldiers joined the Entente forces.

Why did they fight? Homegrown hostilities, global ambitions

The fighting happened around the world. Many of the causes of the First World War had to do with problems in Europe, though. There were problems in Europe’s Balkan Peninsula. France and Germany had disagreements about who controlled the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine between them. Other reasons had to do with places outside Europe. Britain and France both hoped to take Ottoman land along the Mediterranean Sea. Japan wanted to control German colonies in the Pacific Ocean.

Perhaps most importantly, Britain was worried. The German Navy was growing. Britain was rich only because of its control over a large empire and its trade. It was Britain’s large navy that protected this trade. Britain feared another navy cutting it off from its colonies. That was more than enough reason to fight Germany.

Where did they fight? Global violence over land and sea

Most of the fighting took place in Europe. A lot of it took place outside of Europe, though. There were battles at sea all over the world. Some were fought in seas as far as East Africa and Hawaii.

On land, as well, there were battles in many parts of the world. Entente forces quickly attacked German colonies in Africa. Japanese sailors and soldiers took over German colonies in the Pacific Ocean. The British supported Arab rebels fighting Ottoman soldiers. Members of the Central Powers tried to stir up resistance among Muslims who were unhappy with British rule in India.

Conclusion

The Central Powers surrendered in 1918. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. The end of the war had major effects on Europe’s future. It tore the Austro-Hungarian Empire into many smaller states. It also punished Germany badly. For that reason, the Treaty of Versailles contributed to the Second World War.

Outside of Europe as well, the end of the war had major effects. Britain made a lot of promises about what would happen to Ottoman land when the empire was defeated. These included promises to both the Jewish and Arab communities about who would control the territory of Palestine. After the war, though, Britain did not keep its promises. It took control of Palestine and neighboring lands for itself. Unkept promises led to continued warfare and a lack of trust between nations. The results continue into the present day.