On November 11, world leaders convened at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris to commemorate the centenary of the conclusion of World War I (1914-18). This date is traditionally observed as Remembrance Day (or Armistice Day), a day to honor the members of the armed forces who died while serving their countries. The armistice that halted the fighting was signed at exactly 11 a.m. on Nov 11, 1918.
French President Macron conceived the ensuing Paris Peace Forum. This event seeks to underline the significant role of international institutions in resolving conflicts, averting wars, and spreading prosperity.
World War I: The Participants, Causes, Battles, and Aftermath
World War I was a conflict between the Central Powers and the Allied Powers. The primary nations of the Allied Powers were France, Russia, and Britain, with the United States joining in 1917. The Central Powers were predominantly comprised of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.
The reasons that led to World War I are numerous and complex. They encompass mutual defense alliances, imperialism, militarism, nationalism, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a Serbian nationalist.
In the context of the war, noteworthy battles included the First Battle of the Marne, Battle of the Somme, Battle of Tannenberg, Battle of Gallipoli, and the Battle of Verdun. The war concluded on November 11, 1918, when a general armistice was agreed upon by both sides. On June 28, 1919, World War I officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
| Key Factors | Details |
|---|---|
| Alliance System | European nations formed mutual defense agreements, promising to defend each other in case of an attack. |
| Imperialism | Africa and parts of Asia became points of contention among European nations due to their raw materials, driving competition and confrontation. |
| Militarism | An arms race, largely between Great Britain and Germany, escalated tensions as military buildups grew. |
| Nationalism | The desire of Slavic peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina to secede from Austria-Hungary and join Serbia played a significant role in instigating the war. |
| Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand | Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated in June 1914 by a Serbian nationalist, which led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia and the activation of various alliances. |
India’s Significant Contributions to World War I
Despite often being overlooked, India, being a British colony at the time, played a crucial part in aiding Britain and its allies defeat Germany and its associates. The Indian Army contributed numerous soldiers to the European, Mediterranean, and Middle East conflicts during the war. Soldiers were deployed in diverse locations such as France, Belgium, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Gallipoli, Palestine, and Sinai. Tragically, more than 70,000 Indian soldiers lost their lives during this conflict.
Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, acknowledged the importance of India’s contribution, stating, “Britain couldn’t have come through the wars if they hadn’t had the Indian Army.” In anticipation of achieving dominion status and home rule, India provided as much as 100 million British Pounds to Britain to finance their war effort.
In recognition of India’s efforts, the British government constructed the India Gate in New Delhi in 1931. This arch, designed by Edwin Lutyens, commemorates the more than 70,000 Indian soldiers who perished during World War I while serving in the British Army.
Recently, the Vice President inaugurated the First World War Memorial erected by the Government of India in the town of Villers Guislain in France. The memorial, which is the first national memorial for Indian soldiers who died in France during the war, prominently features the Ashoka emblem.
Symbolism of Sacrifice: Saffron Marigold
The marigold has been chosen as a symbol to represent the sacrifice of Indian soldiers during World War I as part of the ‘India Remembers’ Project initiated by the United Service Institution of India (USI), a New Delhi-based national security and defense services think tank. This selection is fitting because marigolds are widely available, and saffron is traditionally seen as a color of sacrifice. Thus, the marigold now stands alongside the poppy as a symbol of sacrifice, reflecting the significant contributions and sacrifices made by India during World War I.
