Differences Of Warfare In World War One And Two

War is defined as an open and declared hostile conflict between state’s or nations . In certain circumstances, these conflicts can be as small as an argument or as large as a world battle. History shows that the world has experienced its fair share of wars and it also shows that with war comes horrific complications. World War One(WWI) and World War Two(WWII) have had a great impact on the course of history with many hardships to include economic strain, loss of territory , and most importantly the loss of lives. These were issues that were faced by all the countries’ involved in both wars . Although World War One and World War Two are very similar in most aspects, it's the little differences in World War Two that made the outcome more detrimental
than World War One. The way World War One started not to seem as if it were going to turn into a world war. Two different alliances, the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy and the Triple Entente of Britain, Russia and France, had many conflicts in a short period of time. This was nothing the world hadn't seen before. However, being that the countries who were involved were unquestionably successful, it made petty provocations seem critical. The tensions between both alliances led to the start of mass military expansion. Not only were the number of troops rising in all countries armies, but a naval arms race began between the countries as well. For obvious reasons the countries explained the expansion as a self defense precaution as well as something to rely on in the case of an actual war. With the tensions rising and militaries growing, the smaller incidents between the countries had been seen as dramatic circumstances. With the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand the two alliances broke their quiet bering and on July 28, 1914 world war 1 had officially begun. The United states involvement didn't come until 3 years after the war started. Trying to stay neutral, the alliance to Britain who was at war, german attacks on U.S. submarines and the Zimmerman note forced the United States to get physically involved. As for World War Two the start was a bit more predictable. With Germany being the main country to blame at the end of World War 1, the allied powers created the peace treaty of Versailles. This treaty implemented strict provisions on Germany's territory, military, and economy. Being that the Allied powers were the winners of the war, they also aimed to spread the idea of global democratic government. Many country’s took into consideration the idea and created a government similar to a democracy. Fascism, however was more appealing to the people of the country's who had lost the previous war. Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler used Fascism to their advantage to gain the support of the people in their country from the regain and increase of power. On September 1, 1939 Germany invaded Holland which caused Britain and France to declare war on Germany. Two years later Japan, who was allies with Germany and Italy, attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This brought the United States into the war and for a second time failing to remain neutral. Although both wars started off similar in the sense that conflicts between nations can cause a war, WWII was more severe in order to stop the threat of fascist country’s takeover of Europe and Asia. Being that these wars happened fairly close in time, the methods of warfare were essentially similar.
The main method of warfare for both wars was trench warfare. Trenches that were dug on both sides would extend for miles and the troops would shelter while firing at the opposing army. With both sides using the same tactics new technology was invented to create an inconvenience for rival armies. Another used warfare method was submarine warfare. Submarine warfare was a major part in both wars, but especially in WWI. German submarine warfare was saw to have been ruling the seas with their ships. “Toward the end of 1916 German submarines were destroying monthly about 300,000 tons of British and Allied shipping in the North Atlantic; in April 1917 the figure was 875,000 tons”(“World War I”,2016). They used this to their advantage as much as they could. The Blitzkrieg method was another method used by Germany in both wars but primarily in world war two. They used planes, artillery, and tanks in a rapid succession take over one town/city/country at a time. “Germany successfully used the Blitzkrieg tactic against Poland (attacked in September 1939), Denmark (April 1940), Norway (April 1940), Belgium (May 1940), the Netherlands (May 1940), Luxembourg (May 1940), France (May 1940), Yugoslavia (April 1941), and Greece (April 1941)” (“Blitzkrieg”,2016). What set apart WWII from WWI was not the military tactics, but the advancements in military weapons. Special operations became more
tactical due to complex weaponry such as the tanks and submarines, the artillery and machine guns became more effective, and most importantly Nuclear power and misses were introduced into war. Being that the new advancements were extremely effective and helped win the war, it caused a significant amount of lost lives and cities. At the end of WWI, The Triple alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy were defeated and the peace treaty of Versailles was made and signed. Shortly after the atomic bomb was used on Japan and they declared defeat from the war, the german forces were defeated and also surrendered. Although the war was over, the country’s still had to face the economic stress of the war and the loss of many lives. The total number of lives lost in WWI was about 8.5 million; 5 million among the Allies and 3.5 million among the Central Powers not to include the lives lost of civilians . During world war two the amount of deaths were so high there is no exact number. The total estimated deaths, however is approximated at 50 million people. Almost five times the casualties as the previous war. for the U.S., a country that was neutral for most of the two wars, the financial cost was a great difference as well. In the first world war The U.S. spent about 20 billion dollars in support for the allies as well as materials and weapons for itself. In WWII the U.S. spent approximately 296 billion. This jump was increased due to extra support to allied powers early in the war, its later physical involvement in the war, and the resources needed for the effective military advancements. Although both outcomes of the war left many dead and cost a substantial amount of money, WWII by the numbers, resulted in the most devastating problems country’s had ever faced post war. Throughout history, many trials and tribulations have been faced around the world.
Focusing on the similarities and differences between World War One and World War Two explain just a few of the hardships the world has overcome in the past. War shows power as well as knowledge, but it also leaves economic issues and most importantly death. Both wars improved military strategies and advancement for future wars to come as well as created and strengthened many alliances, but also ended some as well. The outcome of both wars showed the impact that strategies and advancements can make. The numbers from WWI to WWII more than doubled in the 24 year break between the two. Although war has not ended and remains a vital problem still today, the great effects of WWI and WWII will always be stepping stone in
history.