Why was WW I the most important event from the 20th century?

Answer 1

It ushered in the era of modern day warfare. The horseback cavalry and individual chivalry was wiped away in favor of mass attacks and technology.

Answer 2

It wasn't!

If your teacher is asking you to write this as a paper...write about how it was the first war to include powers from three or four differnt continents(turkey considered asia or europe at that time?) and that it defined modern warfare in uses of newer technologies like tanks, machine guns, nerve gas (mustard gas) land mines etc.

...but in my opinion the Atom Bomb, Genetic Code Unraveling, or even landing on the Moon is much more relevant than a war that redefined the future of Europe. Maybe it is the most important event in the 20th century for Europeans, but certainly not for Americans (and you can tell your teacher that the know it all on Yahoo answers "Has Spoken").

Answer 3

World War One had several effects that shaped the 20th century.

First, it destroyed the previous system of European diplomacy and balance-of-power relationships.

Second, it was the first time the US interveined in European affairs in Europe (rather than in the western hemisphere), and sowed the seeds of later cross-Atlantic relationships.

Third, it helped Woodrow Wilson introduce the idea of the League of Nations, which fizzled at the time, but would later be the inspiration for the UN.

Fourth, and most important, the treaty of Versaille, which ended the war, set extremely punative and terms on Germany, which set the stage for Hitler a decade later, who came to power by railing against the humiliation of Germany by the Allied Powers. For this reason, some historians see WWI and WWII as seperate chapters in the same war.

Answer 4

The most important long term results of the war for Europe were the loss of tradition, the loss of religion, and the loss of cultural confidence. This has led to the “Civilizational Exhaustion” of Europe and the (possible) dawn of an horrendous Dark Age.

The critics of Western Society will likely see their dreams (of its destruction) come true in our generation

It will be replaced by the worst Thug-Dictators the world has ever seen, i.e., Chavez, Castro, Jong Il, Ahdmadinijad, Putin, Chi-coms, etc.

Answer 5

WW I saw the invention of the tank, saw aircraft in combat for the first time, unrestricted submarine warfare, the rise of communist Russia and set up people and events for WW2.

Answer 6

First major war of the modern age; had alot to do w/ Depressions in America and across Europe

Answer 7

It changed the way that wars were fought.

And it also wiped out a 1/4 of Europe's population.

Answer 8

Because the rise of dictatorial regimes in different countries eventually contributed to their total independence.
Learning from mistakes :)

Answer 9

It wasn't. But, it did set up for WW2, and the british giving Israel the palestinian lands (even though they had no right to do so) via the Balfour Doctrine.

Answer 10

The fall of ottoman empire, german empire, and the rise of brutal leaders.