The Beginning of the First World War

The First World War is one of the longest and most significant wars in history, which is characterized by huge bloodshed. It took more than four years, it is interesting that thirty-three countries (87% of the world's population) who had state sovereignty at that time took part in it .

The beginning of the First World War (the date of beginning - June 28, 1914) gave impetus to the formation of two blocks: the Entente (England, Russia, France) and the Triple Alliance (Italy, Germany, Austria). The war began as a result of the uneven development of the capitalist system at the stage of imperialism, and also as a result of the Anglo-German contradiction.

The reasons for the outbreak of the First World War are as follows:

1. Crisis of the world economy.

2. Mismatch of interests of Russia, Germany, Serbia, as well as Great Britain, France, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria.

Russia sought to gain access to the seas, England - to weaken Turkey and Germany, France - to return Lorraine and Alsace, in turn, Germany had a goal to seize Europe and the Middle East, Austria-Hungary - to control ship movements at sea, and Italy - gaining dominance in the sea South Europe and the Mediterranean.

As indicated above, it is considered that the beginning of the First World War falls on June 28, 1914, when the direct heir to the throne of Franz was killed in Serbia. Interested in the denouement of the war, Germany incited the Hungarian government to present an ultimatum to Serbia, which allegedly infringed on its sovereignty. This ultimatum coincided with the mass strikes in St. Petersburg. It was here that the President of France arrived to push Russia towards the war. In turn, Russia advises Serbia to implement an ultimatum, but on July 15, Austria declared war on Serbia. This was the beginning of the First World War.

At the same time, mobilization was announced in Russia , but Germany demanded that these measures be canceled. But the tsarist government refused to fulfill this demand, so on July 21, Germany declared war on Russia.

In the coming days, the main states of Europe enter the war. Thus, on July 18, France enters the war, Russia's main ally, and then Britain declares war on Germany. Italy considered it necessary to declare neutrality.

We can say that the war instantly becomes pan-European, and later global.

The outbreak of the First World War can be characterized by the attack of German troops on the army of France. In response, Russia introduces two armies into an offensive to seize East Prussia. This offensive began successfully, on August 7 the Russian army won the battle at Gumbinem. However, soon the Russian army fell into a trap and was defeated by the Germans. So the best part of the Russian army was destroyed. The rest was forced to retreat under the pressure of the enemy. It should be said that these events helped the French to defeat the Germans in the battle on the river. To the Marne.

It is necessary to note the role of the Galician battle in the course of the war. In 1914 in Gilitsia there were major battles between the Austrian and Russian parts. The battle went on twenty-one days. At first, the Russian army was very difficult to withstand the pressure of the enemy, but soon the troops went on the offensive, and the Austrian troops had to retreat. Thus, the Battle of Galicia ended in the complete defeat of the Austro-Hungarian troops, and until the end of the war, Austria could not retreat from such a blow.

Thus, the beginning of the First World War falls on 1914. It lasted four years, it was attended by 3/4 of the population of the Earth. As a result of the war, four great empires disappeared: Austro-Hungarian, Russian, German and Ottoman. Almost twelve million people were lost, taking into account civilians, fifty-five million were wounded.