Maailmasõjad

Maailmasõjad refers to the global conflicts that engulfed much of the world in the first half of the 20th century. The term typically encompasses both World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945). These were unprecedented in scale and devastation, involving the vast majority of the world's countries, forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Central Powers in World War I, and the Allies and the Axis powers in World War II.

World War I, often called the Great War, originated in Europe and quickly escalated due to complex alliance systems, militarism, and nationalist tensions. It introduced new technologies and tactics, leading to trench warfare and immense casualties. The war's conclusion redrew maps, led to the collapse of empires, and sowed seeds for future conflicts.

World War II, the deadliest conflict in human history, began with Germany's invasion of Poland. It expanded to encompass virtually every part of the world, characterized by the Holocaust, aerial bombardment, and the use of nuclear weapons. The Allied victory led to the establishment of the United Nations and a new geopolitical order, significantly shaping the modern world and influencing international relations for decades to come. The cumulative impact of these two global wars has had a profound and lasting effect on human society, politics, and technology.