maailmansotien

Maailmansotien refers to the global conflicts that took place in the first half of the 20th century. These were the First World War (1914-1918) and the Second World War (1939-1945). Both wars involved a vast majority of the world's countries, forming two opposing military alliances. The scale of mobilization and the impact on societies were unprecedented in human history.

The First World War, often called the Great War, was triggered by a complex web of alliances, imperialism, militarism, and nationalism. It pitted the Central Powers against the Allied Powers. The war resulted in immense casualties, the collapse of empires, and significant geopolitical changes. New technologies like machine guns, tanks, and chemical weapons were introduced, leading to brutal trench warfare.

The Second World War was even more widespread and destructive. It began with the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany and quickly engulfed Europe. The primary Axis powers, including Germany, Italy, and Japan, fought against the Allied nations, which included Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States. This conflict saw the Holocaust, a systematic genocide of European Jews, and the use of atomic bombs. The war concluded with the unconditional surrender of the Axis powers, leading to the establishment of the United Nations and the beginning of the Cold War. The impact of these world wars continues to shape international relations and global consciousness.