WW1 and WW2: A Comparative Study of Two World Wars

When it comes to tragedy and suffering, people can relate to and will think of the great wars that has happened to the people of the earth. And this is where we will talk about the theme 'Compare and Contrast WW1 and WW2 Essay'. During the time of the great war, many people were greatly affected. World War I, in another words the first great war, was a global war/conflict that happened during the 1900s, more specifically starting at July 28th, 1914 until November 11th, 1918. World War II, also known as the second great war, was another global war that occured in the 1900s on a later date than that of World War I which was September 1st, 1939 till September 2nd,1945. Both WW1 and WW2 have numerous similarities such as the destruction and casualties it leaves behind and varying differences such as how to wars started in the beginning.

Both WW1 and WW2 have taken the lives of millions of people. Death was a common occurrence, as people went missing and many soldiers that fought and were captured became prisoners of war. Undoubtedly, the prisoners of war suffered in unbearable ways such as starvation, dehydration, and torture. Indeed, death was inevitable in times of war. Over 40 million people's lives were taken in WW1, in addition, 9 million people were wounded during WW1, as well as 8 million people that went either missing or became a prisoner of war. Furthermore, WW2 was more deadly and more costly, with a death toll of 80 million people. Not only do brutal gun fights and bombings take the lives of people, but also many other disasters such as famines, diseases, and droughts took the lives of people. Both of the wars absolutely took a massive mental toll on the soldiers. The mental state of a human being was on the brink of insanity for each soldier, apart from this some even succumb to insanity. Additionally, during WW1 and WW2, even innocent civilians were never safe from danger as the constant bombing of cities and famine/drought endangered them. It should be noted, that both the great wars never show mercy to anyone and that death was just a common sight.

Imperialism, militarism, nationalism, and alliance system are four political ideologies that led to both WW1 and WW2. Such countries as Germany and Japan wanted to gain more land, resources, and influence over other places and they were prepared for war if needed be. Apart from this, the belief of their superiority, for example, Germany believed that they are superior to all races and kinds, obviously, this action shows especially when the holocaust began when mass Jewish people were killed as they were thought to be the lowest class of race towards Germany and same applies for Japan and other countries desiring to gain more land and territory. When WW1 and WW2 erupted Germany and other countries also mobilized their militaries to take over land with a fight, clearly this is an example of militarism that led to both WW1 and WW2. Moreover, Nationalism is another ideology that leads to WW1 and WW2. During WW1, Germany joins the side of the central powers which included Austria-Hungary. Germany aimed to win over the allies in hopes to gain more land and resources in the progress of a pending victory. In WW2 nationalism led Germany to fight back for the lost land that Germany has lost to in WW1 in order to gain back the land Germany lost and also to gain new land. Furthermore, the alliance system was a political ideology in which that also led to both great wars as when one country that is being invaded required assistance their allies are there to help which draws in more and more countries that are allied to a specific another country. Political ideologies are a similarity between WW1 and WW2 that lead to the happening of both great wars.

The purpose and “how it began” are quite different for how WW1 and WW2 started. Even though the core items such as political ideologies, gain for land, and influence are the reason that lead to WW1 and WW2 the purpose these great wars started are completely different. WW1 began when the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand occurs. His assassination led to chains of events which started the great first world war; whereas, the second world war happened when Adolf Hitler mobilized his army and launched an unprovoked attack on Poland. Other national powers of France and Great Britain declare war on Germany after Hitler refuses to cancel his attack in Poland. Allies of both Germany, France, and Britain join in the war. WW1 is considered an accidental great war as the assassination of the Archduke was never intentionally intended to occur. In contrast, the start of WW2 was more of an intentional making as Hitler desired to gain back land/resources and the rise of the Germans. In spite of being similar in core items, the purpose of the war beginning is not the same for both WW1 and WW2.

In conclusion, both WW1 and WW2 have an abundance of similarities and differences. WW1 and WW2 both took the lives of millions of people, furthermore left others with a permanent scars. Both WW1 and WW2 started due to the political ideologies of Imperialism, militarism, nationalism, and an alliance system. WW1 started due to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, on the other hand, WW2 started when Hitler launched an unprovoked attack on Poland. WW1 is considered accidental conversely WW2 is considered as intentional. Wars never show mercy or compassion as wars will always leave behind a path of annihilation and proves themselves to be an inferno. Both WW1 and WW2 are no exceptions, leaving behind suffering and catastrophe. WW1 and WW2 are indeed an inferno.