World War I marked a transformative shift, bringing the modern era into full view and reshaping societies worldwide. For Americans, it established a new global awareness and technological advancements, such as aircraft and industrial capabilities, that redefined production and warfare. This era also saw movements for social justice, including women's and civil rights.
World War I’s unprecedented violence and massive death toll, especially with battles like the Somme, where 19,000 soldiers died in one day, devastated Europe and left a lost generation. The war also spread diseases, notably the influenza pandemic, which claimed lives in large numbers and overburdened medical systems.
Unique to this war was the mobilization of entire societies as targets, with civilian populations suffering alongside soldiers. This strategy made World War I the first truly modern and total war, with impacts that extended far beyond the battlefield.
Vocabulary:
• Industrialized: Having many industries or factories, often producing large amounts of goods.
• Influenza (Flu): A contagious virus that causes fever, body aches, and other symptoms.
• Mobilize: To prepare or organize people and resources for a specific purpose, often for war.
Source: History channel