World Wars

[treeturner123]

Hi

I was just typing a response to another thread and I used the words 'Second World War' which started me, in a QI way, thinking, what other 'World Wars' have their been? My vote to the first World War, would be the 7 years War in the mid 18th C. The same two main protagonists, YET AGAIN at it in Europe, Africa, India, the East Indies, North America and the Caribbean.

Any other thoughts?

Phil

 

[dzj]

The Napoleonic Wars, also not a local affair.

 

[mouppe]

The Seven Years' War (1756-63) is widely considered to be the first world war, interestingly it began in 1754 in North America. In Churchill's "The Age of Revolution: A History of the English-speaking Peoples, Vol. 3" he entitles the chapter on the war "THE FIRST WORLD WAR" which is I think the origin of the reference.

I suppose you could add the Cold War and the war against terrorism as two more examples of world wars.

 

[Harbo]

What about the Crusades?

Rod

 

[Claymore]

.

 

[dzj]

Alexander's conquests were carried out on all three known continents at that time.
So I guess that would be the first world war.
Not sure about the Persians, I think it was only Asia and Europe.

 

[Benchwayze]

I thought the definition of a World War, was one in which every nation had an interest? I could be wrong of course. (There are a few more countries nowadays)
I'd say most of Alexander's forays were separate conflicts, his armies being the only common denominator.

 

[dzj]

According to Wikipedia:
"A world war is a war involving some of the world's most powerful and populous countries. World wars span multiple countries on multiple continents, with battles fought in multiple theatres. The term is usually applied to the two conflicts that occurred during the 20th century."

Or Google:
"a war involving many large nations in all different parts of the world. The name is commonly given to the wars of 1914–18 and 1939–45, although only the second of these was truly global."

I think in broad terms, Alexander might qualify.
It wasn't just an army that he lead, he was also the head of the Corinthian League. A kind of Hellenic superstate.
In all fairness, WWII wasn't truly global either (No theatres of war/ 'boots on the ground' on the American continents or Australia).

 

[RogerS]

....
In all fairness, WWII wasn't truly global either (No theatres of war/ 'boots on the ground' on the American continents or Australia).

Pearl Harbour ?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Wasn't on the American continent.

 

[Benchwayze]

The Americans treated it as an invasion all the same Phil!

 

[Harbo]

Hawaii was a a territory of the USA
Australia was bombed by the Japanese and had ships sunk off its coast by Jap Subs.
The USA suffered balloon bombing on its west coast by the Japanese.
Lots of ships sunk in U.S. waters by German Subs.

Rod

 

[dzj]

All I was saying is that there was hardly any fighting on three continents.
No foreign troops deployed, no major military operations.
No cities razed to the ground, no massive civilian death toll...
Not really the same as what was going on in Europe, Asia or Africa.

 

[Benchwayze]

True Harbo. Also, with apologies for the aside, I believe the UK is closer to Washington DC, than is Hawaii!
Just saying... If the USA ever 'annexed' us we shouldn't be surprised! :lol: