World War I (1914-1918):
- The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in June 1914 triggered a series of events that led to the outbreak of World War I.
- The war primarily took place in Europe but affected regions worldwide. It involved the major powers, including Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and others.
- The war introduced modern military technologies such as tanks, aircraft, and chemical weapons.
- The conflict ended in November 1918 with the Allied Powers (primarily France, the UK, and the US) defeating the Central Powers (Germany and its allies).
Interwar Period (1919-1939):
- After the war, the Treaty of Versailles was imposed on Germany, setting harsh terms that burdened the country and contributed to resentment and instability.
- The League of Nations was established as an international organization aimed at maintaining peace and preventing future wars.
- The global economic crisis known as the Great Depression began in 1929 and had a profound impact on economies worldwide, leading to high unemployment and social hardships.
- Totalitarian regimes emerged in various countries, including Fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini and Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler.
World War II (1939-1945):
- On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, marking the start of World War II.
- Initially, Germany achieved rapid military successes, occupying large parts of Europe. However, the Allies (primarily the UK, France, the Soviet Union, and later the US) turned the tide against the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan).
- The war saw some of the most destructive battles in history, including the Battle of Britain, the invasion of Normandy (D-Day), and the Battle of Stalingrad.
- The war ended on May 8, 1945, with the unconditional surrender of Germany. The US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, leading to Japan's surrender and the end of the war.
Aftermath:
- The aftermath of World War II was marked by widespread devastation, loss of life, and political realignments.
- The United Nations (UN) was established in 1945 as a successor to the League of Nations to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts.
- The world became divided into two ideological blocs: the capitalist Western Bloc, led by the United States, and the communist Eastern Bloc, led by the Soviet Union, giving rise to the Cold War.