I often wonder how the world worked 100 years ago and what key events shaped the world from 1900 to now. Researching history can lead you down a never-ending loop of information, so I’ve decided to jot down the most important events from the past 124 years, explained in simple terms. This overview will outline the timeline and key incidents, focusing on a surface-level understanding of World War 1 and 2.
World War I (WW1)
Timeline: 1914 – 1918
Back then, strong European countries formed alliances to protect themselves from other superpowers. Two major alliances existed: France, Russia, and the UK on one side, and Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy on the other. The deal was that if one country went to war, its allies would support it with military aid.
In 1914, when Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. In response, Russia began preparing its army to support Serbia, leading to a broader conflict.
Eventually, the war began between major powers, with Germany and Austria-Hungary clashing against France, the UK, and Russia. The war lasted almost five years, with severe consequences.
The major forces involved were:
Allies
• Russia
• The UK
• France
• Italy (joined in 1915)
• US (joined in 1917)
Central Powers
• Germany
• Austria-Hungary
• Ottoman Empire
• Bulgaria
• Italy (switched sides in 1915)
The war was intense, with both sides exhausted by years of fighting. In 1917, the US joined the Allies, tipping the balance, and eventually, Germany and the Central Powers were defeated.
The war ended with the Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, which imposed harsh terms on Germany and its allies. Germany had to pay approximately $33 billion to the Allies for war damages, reduce its military to 100,000 troops, and cede territory. Poland, which had been part of Germany, became an independent country, and regions like Alsace-Lorraine were returned to France. The treaty’s terms sowed the seeds for World War II.
World War II (WW2)
Timeline: 1939 – 1945
Similar to WW1, World War II involved two major groups: the Allies and the Axis Powers.
Allies
• Soviet Union
• United States
• United Kingdom
• France
• China
• Australia, New Zealand
• Canada
• Poland
• Yugoslavia
• Greece
• Norway
Axis Powers
• Germany (led by Hitler)
• Italy (led by Mussolini)
• Japan
• Hungary
• Romania
• Bulgaria
• Finland (co-belligerent with Axis, not a formal member)
Germany deeply resented the Treaty of Versailles, and when Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party came to power, they promised to restore Germany’s former glory. Germany was struggling economically, having lost territories and its status as a superpower. Hitler ignored the Treaty of Versailles and rebuilt the military.
In 1939, Hitler sought to regain territories lost in WW1, starting with the invasion of Poland. This led France and the UK to declare war on Germany. Italy, under Mussolini, joined Germany, and Japan began expanding in Asia, all leading to the outbreak of World War II.
The war brought unprecedented destruction. Nuclear power was used for the first time, and atrocities like the Holocaust occurred, where Hitler’s regime murdered six million Jews across Europe. Hitler’s hatred towards Jews was deeply rooted in his belief that they were responsible for Germany’s loss in WW1 and were impure and weak.
Final Result of WW2
The Allies gradually gained control, with the Soviet Union playing a key role in defeating Germany in battles like Stalingrad and pushing the Germans back to Berlin. In April 1945, Hitler committed suicide as Allied forces closed in on Berlin.
Later in 1945, the US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to Japan’s surrender. Germany lost the war again, and this time it was divided into two countries: East Germany, controlled by the Soviet Union, and West Germany, controlled by the US, UK, and France. This division led to the Cold War, a period of tension between the Soviet Union and the US, lasting for nearly 50 years.
WW1 and WW2 shaped the political and economic landscape of the modern world. Capitalism became dominant, the US emerged as a superpower, and millions of lives were lost. Understanding these wars is crucial to preventing future conflicts.
Exclusive Suggestions from FGM:
Movies on World War I and II
• The Pianist
• Schindler’s List
• Saving Private Ryan
• Hacksaw Ridge
TV Shows
• Band of Brothers
• Chernobyl (Not directly about the World Wars but related to Cold War-era events)
Books
• Anne Frank’s Diary
