The Era of the First World War

Concentration of Power: Political, military, economic, and cultural power is concentrated in Western states, particularly the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany.
Second Tier Powers: Includes Italy, Austria-Hungary, Russia, and Japan.
Second Industrial Revolution: This period is marked by the Second Industrial Revolution, characterized by massive industrial growth fueled by resources from colonies.
Increased Tension: There are escalating tensions between Great Powers, with signs of internal strife evident in many societies.

Map detailing the geographical distribution of overseas empires controlled by various European powers, including Britain, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and others.
The graphic showcases territories across North America, the Caribbean, South America, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, highlighting the global reach of European imperialism.

Spread of Nationalist Ideas: Throughout the 19th century, nationalist ideas spread, serving as powerful motivators for political unification movements and calls for secession and dissolution.
Challenges to Empires: In Eastern Europe, four multiethnic empires – Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire – face significant challenges due to internal separatist movements.
Culmination of Political Changes: World War I emerges as the culmination of the political transformations initiated by the French Revolution.

Leadership Perspective: Political leaders argue that engaging in war will resolve major social tensions and unrest; they seek to harness the heightened sense of patriotism prevalent at the time.
Heroism in War: Stories from colonies contribute to the perception of war as a heroic endeavor, presenting it as an opportunity for glory and adventure.
Propaganda: Propaganda paints the enemy as savage, sub-human, and weak, framing the war as more than just a political conflict.

War Dynamics: The actual experience of war consists of trench warfare characterized by snipers, machine guns, and poison gas, revealing that war is predominantly about attrition rather than heroics.
Casualties: Approximately 10 million soldiers die due to war, with an additional 20 million wounded, including 1.5 million casualties in the first three months.
Soldier Behavior: Soldiers frequently disobey orders, mutiny against their officers, and desert, leading to a shared experience that destabilizes existing class structures.

Total War Concept: The notion of total war is introduced, where a nation mobilizes all its resources towards the war effort, requiring substantial government intervention in the economy.
Women's Workforce Participation: A significant increase in women entering the workforce occurs for the first time, bolstering the women's suffrage movement in both the U.S. and Europe.
Socioeconomic Impact: The war reduces economic disparities between rich and poor, fostering a sense of egalitarianism with important implications in the interwar period.

Secret Negotiations: Major European powers engage in private negotiations to