World War I and Armistice Day: The War that Ended No Wars

The war of 1914-1918 also known as World War I, The Great War and the war to end all wars, ended on what became known as Armistice Day. The war officially ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month or November 11, 1918 and was celebrated around the world with street parties and overwhelming relief. Because WWI was one of the bloodiest battles the world had ever experienced and meant many firsts for military and world history.

The first use of chemical weapons in the form of mustard gas, the introduction of trench warfare, the use of tanks, the inspiration for overthrow of monarchy all over Europe and the spark that ignited the Russian revolution, the Great War changed everything forever. And although it didn’t end war for all time, it certainly shocked the world into realizing what scale and heights man’s inhumanity to man could reach.

It began with the assassination of the Archduke of Austria Hungary, Franz Ferdinand, by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian dissident and alleged member of a well-known nationalist group who sought independence from Austro-Hungarian rule. Princip probably didn’t realize that the complicated treaties and alliances between the countries of Europe would quickly come into play when Serbia didn’t respond to Austria-Hungary’s outrage at the assassination as they would have liked. Like dominoes falling against each other, pact after pact came into play until the continent was ablaze with confused fury. Austria Hungary invaded Serbia. Germany declared war on Russia. Germany declared war on France and invaded Belgium. Britain declared war on Germany. Japan declared war on Germany. Turkey joined Germany’s side. Russia, Britain and France declared war on Turkey. Romania joined Britain’s side. And on it went until the whole world was at war, including the once neutral United States.

All of the battles were horrible and unforgettable for their survivors. 60,000 died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. The men in the trenches that scarred France’s landscape suffered starvation as well as the threat of mustard gas and shelling. Tanks rolled across Europe destroying everything in their wake, bombs dropped onto Britain’s major cities night after night, ships sunk and supplies dwindled. The world descended into utter madness for four long years. It seemed for those living at the time, that the chaos would never end. But it did. Battle weary nations and optimistic politicians combined to formulate peace treaties. America entered the war in its final months, providing the allies with much needed support in troops and supplies. A devastated continent retreated to compose itself. On November 11, 1918 Germany negotiated peace with Britain and France and an uncertain calm settled followed by victory celebrations and finally thousands of cries of never again. This would be the war to end all wars. With an estimated 20 million dead or dying this would be the end. But of course, it wasn’t. War has become a constant for modern civilization. Whether it’s a holy war, a civil war, a political war or a war on human rights, somewhere in the world violence and conflict is happening right now.

World War I didn’t stop war but the date on which World War I ended has become known across the West as a day to remember all those that have fallen in war. Whether it’s Armistice Day or Veterans Day or Remembrance Day, the sentiment remains the same. People die for causes they feel just and their bravery, heroism and sheer determination deserve to be remembered by all peoples for all times.

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