World War I: Its Causes and Effects

During the late 1800's and early 1900's most European nations were experiencing dramatic changes, socially and economically. Populations were rising and falling, social classes were shifting, and new political leaders were eager to make their mark on the world. As these changes were forced inevitably upon the nations, the balance of European powers became altered. Westernized countries rapidly grew more powerful then unindustrialized countries, leaving these countries with weaker armies open to attack. The changes had effects on nationalism, militarism, and imperialism within the societies and governments of the troubled countries. Many other factors contributed to the progression leading up to the war, but these movements, coupled with the system of tangled alliances the countries had developed with each other, were the main causes of The Great War. However, little could be done to predict the enormous impact and length of the First World War and few were prepared. By the end of 1918, stalemate and death by the millions was very common. Most viewed it as a pointless and unaccomplished struggle, which only resulted in death and destruction. The Western Front, located in northern France and the northwest portions of Germany was one of the most significant reasons that the war was known for such ruin and utter human misery. …