Why were World War I & II termed as such when primarily both involved European or Western nations only?

Answer 1

Actually, both wars went far beyond the main theaters of war,
WWI was started outside of germany,
WWII stretched halfway across africa, and almost into persia, so well into asia from the west, and in the far east WWII involved japan, china, russia, burma, I think even india was in on it, and the US was involved, and canada, and Mexico too.All of europe was in play in WWII as well as these other places, the germans were out for dominion, 'lebensraum' etc....try and find a book about Rommel, that will tell you about africa...lots of good history books out there...

Answer 2

Even though the fights occoured mainly in europe, and partially in the pacific. They were termed as such because at that time the whole world's powers were involved in it in some way or another... There were some countries that stayed out, but those countries were those that didn't not have an army and could not do anything to help...And of course, they were the "biggest" wars of the time... Though, If I'm remembering right, the civil war was actually bloodier than they were...

Answer 3

Because the entire world was at war in both in some way or other. The battle fields might have been in Europe mainly in the first one. But there was a lot of deplomacy going on the world over to insure supplies and trade while it was going on.

The second war had fronts in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific with just about every nation in the world commiting troops somewhere. No doubt the second one was a world war.

Answer 4

Both wars, especially WWII involved many more nations than just European or Western. WWII involved the entire South Pacific including Japan & The Phillipines, Africa, Russia, all of Europe, etc.

Answer 5

The list of allies or axis was quite extensive. Most countries were involved to some extent in both wars. If not in the beginning but by the end of the war it was a global conflict that affected the enite globe.

Answer 6

Because all the major world powers were involved in the action, and it affected everything on a global scale. While not all countries participated (although most did), EVERY nation was impacted by these "super" wars. Weather the impact was socially, economically, or any other number of ways, almost all ways of life in almost all places were impacted.

Answer 7

Even today only America, Europe and the $$ nations in asia count as "the world" That's never changed. However, WWII was probably closest. Remember Japan got us into the war in the first place.

Answer 8

Both wars involved nations from every Continent on the globe. which led to the name World War.

Answer 9

WW 1 was referred to as "The war to end all wars" but it didn't. Countries still tried to exert power and control over others, so another major war was inevitable. As far as calling them World Wars, this is because they effected people all over the world, involving troops from every continent except Antarctica.

Answer 10

Both wars involved countries from all over the globe. Australia, New Zealand, India, Japan, China, Russia, Middle Eastern countries, Adrican countries, ect..... Do I need to go on or do you understand now?