World War I - Research Paper Example

The First World War was of one of the first conflicts that involved such a large number of actors from around the global stage. Similarly, it was also one of the first wars that mechanized killing and destruction to the degree that was evident. Obviously, humans have been killing each other since the Dawn of time; however, the invention and use of gas as a weapon, the level and extent to which artillery bombardment was utilized, and battles involving hundreds of thousands of soldiers on hundreds of miles the front were not uncommon.

The horrors of the war can scarcely be described within such a brief response. However, suffice it to say that within this particular author’s understanding, the First World War was fought under the most horrific conditions imaginable. Ultimately, the reason that so many different countries became embroiled in this conflict had to do with the alliance structure that existed within Europe time. Ironically, the structure of the alliance system was engaged as a means of preserving the peace; allowing lesser powers to ally with great powers as a means of ensuring that conflict would not break out.

However, as was seen, the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand in Bosnia-Herzegovina ignited the so-called “tinderbox” of the Balkans; dragging in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Russia, France, Germany, the United States, and a litany of other actors. Sadly, the horrors of the first world war are not constrained to the years 1914 through 1918. Instead, many scholars and authors have argued that the repercussions of the First World War did not truly conclude until 1945. This is due to the fact that the peace accords for the First World War and the Treaty upper side created a situation in which a resurgent Germany would attempt to shake itself from the shackles of financial hardship and national disgrace that the treaty of Versailles had affected upon them.