IN TRODUCTION W BRIE AT LAN TIC 0 C E A N SWI orld War also called the Great War was an international conflict that in 1914 18 embroiled most of the nations of Europe along with Russia the United States the Middle East and other regions The war pitted the Central Powers mainly Germany Austria Hungary and the Ottoman Empire Turkey against the Allies mainly France Great Britain Russia Italy Japan and from 1917 the United States It ended with the defeat of the Central Powers The war was virtually unprecedented in the slaughter carnage and destruction it caused PORTUGAL SPAIN 0 km 500 0 miles 500
INTRODUCTION 7 TO PLC North Sea ZT R US S IAN DENMARK E MPIRE NET GERMANY BELGID FRANCE ZERLAND AUSTRIA DR HUNGARY ROMANIA Black Sea BULGARIA E OTTOMAN PO EMPIRE GREECE REAGAN a ed it terr a n e a n Sea 1000 This map of Europe during World War I shows the Allies in green the Central Powers in pink and neutral countries in
KEY FIGURES OF 8 WORLD WAR I World War I was one of the most momentous events of the 20th century It led to the fall of four great imperial dynasties in Germany Russia Austria Hungary and Turkey resulted in the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia and in its destabilization of European society laid the groundwork for World War II World War I was the most deadly and destructive war the world had ever seen to that time More than 25 countries eventually participated aligned with either the Allies or the Central Powers More than 65 million soldiers were mobilized for the armies navies and air forces Some 8 5 million lost their lives and more than 21 million were wounded Civilian populations worked as never before to produce enormous quantities of guns munitions and other supplies Because civilians played such an important role World War I was the first conflict to be called total war The early 20th century was a time of great industrial and technological development While technology and innovation made lives easier World War I proved that technology also had a negative side Military minds on both sides constructed new machines of war and weapons of destruction Tanks airplanes ships and submarines brought about a new level of destruction that was not possible in the days of hand to hand combat Troops manned powerful machine guns that could cut down charging forces with little effort Poisonous gases were deployed for the first time on battlefield
INTRODUCTION 9 trenches causing blindness horrible burns lifelong ailments and death by the thousands The purpose of this book is to help you learn about the events of World War I as well as the individuals who masterminded and executed the bloodiest conflict the world had seen so far From the stories of the people featured in this book you will find out how the decisions and actions of individuals helped to change the world forever
