Difference Between World War 1 and World War 2

World War 1 vs World War 2

To understand the difference between World War 1 and Word War 2, one must pay attention to the details regarding each war. World War 1 and World War 2 were two major wars that took place in different periods. However, they affected most of the world. Hence, they got the name World War. World War 2 is the more recent one and it was the more vicious of the two, as well. The World War 2 ended with the Allied forces invading Germany as well as by America dropping nuclear bombs to Hiroshima and Nagasaki of Japan. The end of World War 2 marked the beginning of thecold warbetween America and USSR.

More about World War 1

World War 1 took place between 1914 and 1918. World War 1 was fought for a period of 4 years. The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria in June 1914 is believed to have triggered the World War 1. World War 1 was fought between countries mainly with the intention of acquiringcoloniesorterritoriesand of course resources. It is interesting to note that World War 1 is known by other names such asThe Kaiser’s War, The Great Warand theWar of the Nations. The two parties involved were known as Central Powers and Allied Powers. TheCentral powerswere Germany, Austria, Hungary and Turkey and theAllied Powers were Britain, Russia, France, Italy, Japan and the U.S. in World War 1.

The methods of warfare employed in the World War 1 are our next focus. World War 1 was fought from lines of trenches and was ably supported by artillery and machine guns. There was the use of poisonous gas and early airplanes too. The outcome of World War 1 was the defeat of the German, Russian, and Austro-Hungarian empires. Over 100 million people believed to have died and over 21 million were injured in the World War 1. These deaths included civilian and military deaths.

More about World War 2

The World War 2 or the Second World War took place between 1939 and 1945. World War 2 was fought for a period of 6 years. The political and economic instability in Germany is understood to be the main cause for the beginning of World War 2. This made Germany act in a very irrational way. The World War 2 was described by the war experts aswar of ideologies.FascismandCommunismwere the two main ideologies behind the beginning of the World War 2. Later onNazismcame to play, as well. The parties involved in the World War 2 were known as Axis Powers and Allied Powers. Germany, Japan and Italy wereAxis Powersin World War 2 and theAllied Powerswere Britain, France, the U.S., China and the Soviet Union.

When it comes to methods of warfare, missiles were used to a great extent in World War 2. Nuclear power, submarines, and tanks were excessively used in operations. The outcome of World War 2 was the victory of the Allies over Germany and Japan in 1945. Over 55 million people are believed to have met with death in the World War 2. These deaths included civilian and military deaths.

What is the difference between World War 1 and Word War 2?

• World War 1 took place between 1914 and 1918 whereas the World War 2 took place between 1939 and 1945.

• World War 1 was fought for a period of 4 years whereas World War 2 was fought for a period of 6 years.

• The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria in June 1914 is believed to have triggered the World War 1. On the other hand, the political and economic instability in Germany is understood to be the main cause for the beginning of World War 2.

• World War 1 was fought between countries mainly with the intention of acquiring colonies or territories and of course resources.

• World War 2 was fought as a war of ideologies. Fascism, Communism and Nazism were seen ideologies during this period.

• Over 100 million people believed to have died and over 21 million were injured in the World War 1. Over 55 million people are believed to have met with death in the World War 2. These deaths included civilian and military deaths.

• There were some differences in the methods of warfare employed in the two World Wars too.

• In the World War 1, there were two parties: The Central Powers – Germany, Austria, Hungary and Turkey; The Allied powers – Britain, Russia, France, Italy, Japan and the U.S.

• The two parties involved in the Word War 2 were The Axis Powers – Germany, Japan and Italy; The Allied Powers were Britain, France, the U.S., China and the Soviet Union.

• The outcome of World War 1 was the defeat of the German, Russian and Austro-Hungarian empires whereas the outcome of World War 2 was the victory of the Allies over Germany and Japan in 1945.

Images Courtesy:Bombing of Romaniavia Wikicommons (Public Domain)