How Many People Died in WW1?
The First World War (WW1) was one of the bloodiest conflicts in human history. It lasted from July 28, 1914, to November 11, 1918, and resulted in millions of casualties. Estimates of the total number of deaths vary, but it is believed that over 16 million people died in WW1.
Death Toll of WW1
The exact number of casualties of WW1 is impossible to determine and estimates vary greatly. The most recent estimate, provided by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, states that the total number of military and civilian deaths was around 16 million.
Military deaths totaled 9 million, including 6 million dead from the Allied Powers and 3 million dead from the Central Powers. Civilian deaths accounted for another 7 million deaths, including 5 million from the Allied Powers and 1.5 million from the Central Powers.
Cause of Deaths in WW1
The most significant cause of death during WW1 was combat, which accounted for 8 million deaths. Other causes included disease and starvation, which both contributed to 6 million deaths.
Combat deaths were attributed to all sides, but the majority of them were suffered by the Allied Powers, who had larger armies and suffered more casualties. Disease and starvation deaths were mostly caused by the blockade of the Central Powers, which created food shortages and led to outbreaks of diseases like typhus and influenza.
Effects of WW1 Deaths
The death toll of WW1 had a significant impact on the course of world history. The millions of deaths changed the geopolitical landscape in Europe and the Middle East and shaped the 20th century.
In addition to the human cost, WW1 also had an economic cost. The war left Europe in ruins and exhausted its resources. The cost of rebuilding and replenishing resources was immense and led to a long period of economic hardship in Europe.
Conclusion
WW1 was a devastating conflict that resulted in the death of over 16 million people. The majority of these deaths were due to combat, but disease and starvation also played a role in the high death toll. The human and economic cost of WW1 had a lasting impact on the 20th century and changed the geopolitical landscape in Europe and the Middle East.
Video
For a deeper understanding of how WW1 affected the world, watch this video: