Today's topic is a heavy one. We are talking about World War I, the most horrific war in history. This war brought about a lot of change and left an enormous number of casualties. We are going to delve deeper into this war.

The Background of the Outbreak of World War I

World War I was a war that lasted for 4 years and 4 months, from July 28, 1914, to November 11, 1918. It was the war that left the most casualties and property damage in history. This war was a large-scale war in which all the major powers of Europe participated, and the main causes were competition for colonies and military power among the imperialist nations.

Germany's imperialist policies were the cause of the war. Germany emerged as a major power in Europe in the late 19th century through industrialization and military strengthening. Germany focused on securing overseas colonies, but it was outmatched by the existing colonial powers such as Britain and France. Consequently, Germany attempted to expand its territory within Europe, which led to an alliance with the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire attempted to annex Bosnia and Herzegovina, which triggered a conflict with Serbia. Serbia was receiving support from Russia at the time, which put European international relations in a state of tension. On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated by a Serbian youth, triggering the outbreak of World War I.

Another factor was the naval rivalry between Britain and Germany. In the early 20th century, Britain had the strongest naval power in the world, but Germany's naval power was rapidly growing, threatening Britain's position. As a result, Britain and Germany began to check each other, which further aggravated the instability of European international relations. The assassination of the archduke in this situation became a catalyst for the breakdown of the alliance between Britain and Germany, ultimately leading to World War I.

Major Participating Countries and Allied Forces

Mainly European countries participated in World War I, and the main participants were Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, France, Britain, and Russia. In addition, countries such as the United States, Italy, and Japan participated as Allied forces.

Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Ottoman Empire formed the Triple Alliance, while France, Britain, and Russia formed the Triple Entente. Initially, the Triple Alliance was dominant, but over time, the Triple Entente reversed the tide of the war. In 1917, Russia withdrew from the front due to a revolution, and in 1918, the United States joined the war, making the Allied victory certain.

The Allied forces were centered on countries that advocated for democracy and liberalism, while the Triple Alliance was centered on countries that advocated for absolutism and nationalism. As a result of the war, most of the Triple Alliance nations were either destroyed or fell into decline, while the Allied nations came to dominate the world order. This war is recorded as one of the greatest tragedies in human history.

The Turning Point of the War: Decisive Battles

Many battles were fought in World War I, but some battles played a crucial role in determining the course of the war. Some of the most representative battles include:

• Battle of the Somme (1916): A battle fought between France and Britain against German forces, resulting in the Allied forces suffering approximately 1 million casualties and losing the battle. However, after this battle, the German advance slowed down, allowing the Allied forces to prepare for a counterattack.
• Battle of Jutland (1916): A large-scale naval battle between Britain and Germany. The British navy won the battle, but both sides suffered significant losses.
• Battle of Passchendaele (1917): A battle that took place after the Battle of the Somme, where the British and French forces attacked to break through the German defense lines. Although the Allied forces suffered heavy casualties, the German defeat at Passchendaele led to the Allied forces taking control of the Western Front.

These battles marked a turning point in World War I, laying the foundation for the Allied victory that followed.

Changes in Technology and Strategy: Aspects of the War

World War I differed from previous wars in terms of technology and strategy.

The emergence of new weapons such as machine guns, tanks, and airplanes significantly changed the way battles were fought, and tactics such as trench warfare and poison gas were used, further increasing the brutality of the war.

• Machine guns played a major role in trench warfare. The advent of machine guns prolonged the stalemate on the front lines, leading to a significant increase in casualties.
• Tanks replaced traditional cavalry units and played a significant role in overcoming terrain obstacles on the battlefield.
• Airplanes were used for reconnaissance and bombing missions.

In terms of strategy, alliances and negotiations between nations played a key role. As major European countries formed alliances and opposed each other, the war expanded, and strategies such as submarine operations and unrestricted submarine warfare were also employed. These changes in technology and strategy are one of the characteristics of World War I, which had a profound impact on subsequent wars.