Why was World war I called world war when it only started in Europe & also ended there?

Answer 1

number of involved nations made them WW

Answer 2

The Great War was referred as a World War before WWII ever started.

I own a vintage 7th grade school text book that makes reference to "The World War".

The book's title is : The Rise of American Democracy, by Casner and Gabriel

Copywrite:1931 by Harcourt,Brace and Company.

WWII did not begin until 1939 when Hitler invaded Poland,at least as far as most historians are concerned.

It was called a world war not because it took place over the entire planet but because countries from all over the globe participated in it.

Answer 3

There was also a good deal of fighting in the Middle east and Africa - incidentially, the East African fighting was still going on in 1918, so the war didn't just end in Europe.
Japan was an allied state, so in fact to liquidate the German colonies in S.E. Asia and China there was war there too. There was naval warfare all over the world, like for example in the Battles of Coronel and the Falklands.
Oh and this American country joined in in 1917. Called the USA. I wonder what happened to it.

Answer 4

It was called the First World War, or World War I because 42 nations throughout the world (including Europe, but not exclusive to) participated in the event.

Answer 5

It was (and in parts of the world still is) called 'The Great War'. Not since Napoleon a 100 years previous had so many countries been embroiled in such aggressive warfare. Japan was part of the 'Allied' alliance, and there was some fighting in the African colonies. Troops raised in the colonies did fight on the fields of Europe. America is not part of Europe. Germany tried to get Mexico to invade the United States. So a large majority of the world was involved in a miliatry sense.

Politically the effects of the war reached to every portion of the world. Russia becoming the USSR, the change of ownership of several colonies, the demise of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the change in the power balance in Europe had consequences for the majority of the world.

Answer 6

It was called the Great war first and was not called World war until after World War II. It was also called World war because the colonies of the nations involved stretched around the world and many were engaged directly or indirectly in fighting.

Answer 7

Yes, it started in Europe but it rage around the world because colonies also joined, there are battles in european colonies in Africa, Japan joined the Allies against German colonies in the Pacific. during the last phase of the war USA joined. It is also called The Great War and The war that will end all wars.

Answer 8

Because much of the world was involved. A large portion of the world was affected, whether by supplying the European nations, or by lack of monetary/military support from Britain and France due to the fact that they were at war. It became a "world" war when the US became directly involved.

Answer 9

It involved no only Europe, but the Middle East (think Lawrence of Arabia) - one of the Axis powers was the Ottoman Empire, i.e. Turkey, and in Africa. There was fighting in what was called German East Africa (read William Boyd's 'The Ice cream War).

Answer 10

Not strictly true.

The war spanned Europe, Asia and Africa. It involved forces from Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia and North America.

Answer 11

It included Asian countries, The Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa,East Africa, West Africa and finally the USA