How many casualties were there in World War I?

World War I, which lasted from 1914 to 1918, was one of the deadliest conflicts in history. The total number of military and civilian casualties is estimated to be about 40 million. Among these, there were approximately 20 million deaths and 21 million wounded. The military casualties included about 10 million dead and about 8 million missing or imprisoned. Civilian casualties were also high due to factors like famine, disease, and genocidal actions. It is important to remember that these figures are estimates and different sources may report slightly different numbers due to the chaotic nature of wartime record-keeping and the passage of time.

World War I, also known as the Great War, involved many of the world's great powers at the time, which were divided into two opposing alliances: the Allies (originally the Triple Entente of France, Russia, and Britain) and the Central Powers (originally the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, with Italy changing sides in 1915). The war was sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and quickly expanded to a global conflict due to the complex web of alliances and treaties.

The human cost of the war was unprecedented, with casualties on a scale never seen before. The conflict introduced new and more lethal technology like machine guns, poison gas, and tanks, which contributed to the high number of casualties. The war also saw the use of trench warfare, with both sides digging extensive networks of trenches. The conditions in the trenches were dire, and many soldiers died from the environment and disease, not just from combat.

The civilian population was also greatly affected by the war. Blockades and the disruption of agriculture and trade led to food shortages and famine in many places. Diseases such as the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918 compounded the toll on civilians, killing millions worldwide in just a few months.

World War I had far-reaching consequences, politically, economically, and socially, and changed the course of the 20th century. It led to the collapse of empires, redrew the map of Europe, and set the stage for World War II due to the unresolved issues and the harsh treatment of Germany in the Treaty of Versailles. The remembrance of the immense suffering and loss of life during World War I continues to be a somber reflection on the costs of war.