The government of Britain has asked their citizens to switch off
their lights and light candle between 10 pm - 11 pm on 4th August,
2014. This incident was all over the social media and many thought that it was
a part of saving energy program or any activity of “Earth Hour”, but it was
nothing like that, actually the world has marked the 100th
anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War and in order to give tribute
the Cultural Minister of Britain Maria Miller has asked the people of Britain
to light candle and give tribute to the incident. To this the foreign secretary
Sir Edward Grey added by saying, we don’t want to see such war and the whole
Europe should support this incident by turning off their light for one hour.
What was the reason behind World War I
Actually the question is still unanswered who started this war,
but according to common history it is believed that assignation of Archduke
Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne and his wife in Sarjevo
was the immediate cause for World War I. On 28th Aug, 1914 a letter
declaring war was send from Vienna to Belgrade was leaked and the news was
spread all over before the war started. Before the war nearly one month before
Gavrilo Princip, an ethnic Serb and Yugoslav nationalist from the group Young
Bosnia, which was supported by the Black Hand, a nationalist organization in
Serbia had killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand, just after this Austria has
declared war against Serbia. Till then Serbian army has entered 230 km inside
Austrian territory as the news was leaked that Austria was about to attack.
Despite of constant vigilance the letter was leaked and the
Politica Newspaper had published the news declaring it as emergency edition in
which it stated that now war cannot be stopped. Austria’s Prime Minister
believed that the capital city cannot be saved from war and thus laid their
army against Serbia. At the same night Serbian army defeated Austrian navy.
After this Austria started sending their army who started bombing in Belgrade.
Serbia’s army in order to stop Austrian army decided to break off railway
bridge on Sava river, but they did not succeeded to destroy the bridge
completely and Austrian army entered their territory, the Austrian navy were
also ready to attack.
In this war out of 45 lakhs Belgrade soldier 11 lakhs soldier
died. Thousands of people died of cold and hunger, nearly 60,000 people were
hanged, the world had experienced the extreme war and it was named World War I.
In 1914 Austria declared that Serbia would be finished after the war but the
result was totally different and Austria lost the battle and Serbia emerged as
a super power, who led the united Yugoslavia.
Nearly 37 million people died
In this deadliest conflict in human history nearly 16 million
people died. First World War was about acquiring power by some countries,
extending their territory and control and to emerge as best in the race of
survival. Firstly Britain and France were the only powerful empires but later
Germany, Italy and Japan also came together to form a group and their union was
such that it gave rise to world war. This incident is still a big lesson for
global world. The First World War had ended the German Empire, Austria-Hungary
Empire, Russian Empire and Ottoman Empire. The present condition of west Asia
has its root in First World War itself. In Germany the rise of Nazis under the
leadership of Hitler is the result of this war, who kept the foundation stone
of Second World War.
Towards the end
First World War has completely changed the politics, geography and
history of the world. The dawn of Europe and emergence of America as the super
power has started from here. The end of colonialism has also started from here,
after war the participated countries enter into crisis and found it difficult
to run colonialism and they break off.
Russia’s Bolshevik Revolution
In 1914 Russia was not ready for war, because just nine years
before Russia was defeated by Japan. At that time Nicholas II ruled Russia.
According to a report from BBC, modern European history specialist Dr. Jonathan
Smale, Russia’s geographic border extended from central Europe to Pacific Ocean
and Arctic to Afghanistan. Nearly 17% of the total land area was under Russia.
After the death of Nicholas II, Bolsheviks due to various reasons enter into
revolution. Within 2 years of World War I nearly 175 million Russian soldiers
died and more than 5 lakhs soldiers were injured and at the same time Russia
was dealing from food crisis. The then present ruler Trotsky did not match with
the expectation of the Russians. Under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin
Bolsheviks promised Russian citizens to give food and peace land, people
believed Lenin and supported him in the revolution.
Foundation stone of Second World War
After the end of First World War in 28 June, 1919 Treaty of
Versailles was signed between Germany and the allied
powers which held Germany responsible for all the loss and damage and for this
Germany was banned in many ways beside that Germany was asked to pay compensation for the loss. When Hitler became
the leader of Germany he opposed all these terms of the treaty. Beside that many
other countries even felt it unfair and thus the seed of Second World War
started flourishing.
America was acting neutral at the starting of World War I
The president of America during World War I was Woodrow Wilson. At
that time America was busy in strengthening their economy by entering into
trade relations with various European countries, for this reason in the
starting America had kept some distance from this war. Beside that Woodrow
Wilson a modern historian student knew the price of this war and thus when all
the countries have entered into this war America on the other hand was neutral.
After banning Germany and his allies by Britain and many other
countries America has to suffer much trade losses. In 1914-1916 where America’s
trade with England and France was triple on the other hand their trade with
Germany had reduced by 90%. And now when America was thinking of entering into
the war in March, 1916 German naval ship shot Britain’s ship named Lusitania in
English Channel in which 128 American citizens died along with British. At last
on 6th April, 1916 America was forced to go at war against Germany.
Actually in 1916 the citizens of America saw Woodrow as angel of
peace and thus he emerged as a winner in the election and on the other hand his
opponent Charles Evans Hughes was seen as supporter of war. After
winning the election Woodrow focused more in attaining world peace and also
kept various proposals before countries participating, in order to avoid war.
League of Nations was sponsored and led by Woodrow Wilson in order to attain
global democracy. In January 1917 Woodrow has also played an important role in
compromise between Britain and Germany to end this war and for all this he was
awarded the 1919 Nobel Peace Prize.
World War I in Numbers
Totally 124 countries were participating directly or indirectly in
World War I, of which 37 countries were directly supporting this war. Nearly
87% of the total population use to stay in this 124 countries and a group of 32
countries were known as friendly nations who were against Germany and only four
countries were supporting Germany. Nearly 4 billion people died in the war from
Britain and their allies and nearly 2 billion people died under the leadership
of Germany. Nearly 60 lakhs soldier were injured in this war and nearly 80
lakhs people were found missing.
Rise of Hitler
In First World War Hitler was a brave soldier in German army.
Hitler had succeeded in surviving the battle many times during the war and he
was honored with two bravery awards by Germans. In October, 1918 with war
against Belgium his one eye was injured during a gas attack. In this war
Germany lost the battle and there empire was towards the end. Germany was declared a republic country and on
the basis of written constitution presidential government was introduced along
with political and military the post of president was introduced. In 1919
German government signed the treaty of Versailles, according to this
treaty Germany was held responsible for all the damage and loss and was asked
to pay the compensation. The result of war forced Germany to lose its colonialism
and at the same time they were forced to wipe their hands from a large portion
of their territory. At this time Hitler joined the military intelligence unit
in Munich and from here the rise of Hitler started. Hitler by his speech
started telling the people about the loss from First World War and the Treaty
of Versailles. At this time due to various reasons there was a continuous rise
in the price of the goods and then Hitler under Nazi party on 8th
November, 1923 declared a revolution in Munich and slowly he started raising
the issues and problems of farmers and workers in Germany and at the same time
also started taking part in various local election. In August, 1934 after the assignation
of Hindenburg, Hitler became the ruler of Germany. After this Hitler played an
important role in strengthening the economy of the country.
Role of India
When there was war among all the nations of the world at that time
India was ruled by Britain. Undivided Indian army has supported this war by
providing both military as well as food supplies. Indian army participated in
France and Belgium, Arab, former Africa, Israel, Mesopotamia, Palestine, Persia
including Salonika and many other parts of the world supporting this war.
According to the report of Commonwealth War Grave commission nearly 11 lakhs
Indian soldier participated in this war, out of this 1.38 lakhs were send to
France, 1.44 lakhs were send to Israel and Palestine where as 6.57 lakhs
soldier were send to Mesopotamia (at present known as Iraq). Beside this a large number of Indian army was
send to Africa.
In this war India’s contribution was not just military supplies in 1914 royal marine army was also trained and
was send to protect the shores of Mesopotamia. The Indian businessman played an
important role in supplying food and various other supplies to military. Beside
this in Indian army 300 nurses were send to war zone under Queen Alexander
Imperial Military later the number increased to more than 10,000. At this time
more than 200 nurses died in the war zone. According to the report for all the
military across the world nearly 2 lakhs animals for meat and nearly 37 ton
of supplies were supplied.
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