The Earliest Recorded War in History

Throughout human history, conflicts have been a constant presence. While some disputes involve only a handful of individuals, others engulf entire regions and persist for generations. What marked the beginning of war?

To address this question, it's essential to define what constitutes war. Merriam-Webster describes war as a "state of typically open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations." This definition allows us to pinpoint when war emerged. Since it involves states or nations, we must look to early civilizations. Prior to the rise of civilizations, humans lived in tribal, often nomadic groups. It was only after settling into permanent communities that humans could accumulate the resources necessary for waging war.

With the advent of agriculture, humans were able to establish larger settlements, moving beyond the limitations of small, nomadic tribes. However, forming these communities introduced new risks. People began producing valuable resources, which could attract the attention of others. As communities improved their defenses against raiders, they also developed the tools and strategies that would eventually evolve into warfare. The first documented instances of war date back to around 2700 BC.

The First War on Record

The earliest recorded war involved the Sumerians and the Elamites, who resided in what is now Iran. While this conflict is the first documented, it is unlikely to be the earliest war ever fought. Evidence suggests that battles may have occurred as far back as 10,000 years ago during the late Paleolithic or early Neolithic periods, though no records exist from that time. Around 2700 B.C., the Sumerian king Enmebaragesi led his forces to victory against the Elamites, plundering their resources. The primary motivations for this war appear to be the Elamites' perceived threat and their valuable assets.

The Psychology of War

War arises when nations or states maintain a sense of autonomy and separation from other groups. Without this division, the us-versus-them mentality cannot exist. As long as distinct communities exist, the potential for conflict remains. Nations may go to war to preemptively counter perceived threats or to seize resources held by others. At its core, war depends on the ability to identify with one group while excluding others.

Prelude to the First World War

Shifting to more recent history, let's examine World War I, a global conflict that spanned from 1914 to 1918. This massive war pitted the world's major powers against each other, divided into two rival coalitions: the Allies and the Central Powers. The origins of World War I can be traced to a tangled mix of alliances, militarization, nationalist fervor, and imperial aspirations. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary on June 28, 1914, acted as the spark that ignited a series of events culminating in the war's outbreak.

Austria-Hungary Declared War on Serbia

The tipping point for World War I is often identified as Austria-Hungary's declaration of war on Serbia on July 28, 1914, exactly one month after the assassination of the Austro-Hungarian heir. Austria-Hungary had presented Serbia with an ultimatum containing impossible conditions, aiming to provoke a conflict to suppress Serbian nationalism and its influence in the Balkans. Serbia's response failed to meet Austria-Hungary's demands, prompting the declaration of war and triggering the rapid mobilization of allied forces on both sides.

The Mobilization of German Troops

When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, the intricate alliance system was activated. Russia, bound by treaty to Serbia, initiated troop mobilization, which led Germany to follow suit. The mobilization of German forces marked a pivotal moment in the conflict's escalation. Germany's strategy, the Schlieffen Plan, aimed for a swift invasion of Belgium and France to eliminate them from the war early, allowing Germany to focus on Russia. This plan was executed on August 4, 1914, when German forces entered Belgium, prompting Britain to declare war on Germany due to its commitment to Belgian neutrality, thus expanding the war beyond the Balkans.

The Middle East During World War I

The Middle East emerged as a crucial battleground during World War I, hosting numerous decisive campaigns. The Ottoman Empire, allied with the Central Powers, clashed with British forces and their allies in a series of conflicts that dramatically altered the region's political dynamics. Unlike the static trench warfare in Europe, the Middle Eastern campaigns featured more mobile and guerrilla-style tactics, yet they were equally devastating, with both sides enduring significant losses.

Suffering Heavy Casualties on the Western Front

The Western Front, infamous for its trench warfare, witnessed some of the longest and bloodiest battles of World War I. Opposing armies, entrenched in extensive fortifications, engaged in a grueling war of attrition, resulting in enormous casualties. The Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Verdun stand as stark examples, where hundreds of thousands perished. The phrase "suffering heavy casualties" became a grim reality as soldiers were mowed down by machine guns and artillery, with minimal territorial gains despite the staggering losses.

The Human Cost of War

World War I redefined the concept of mass casualties, marking the first conflict where the industrialization of warfare became evident. The ability to sustain prolonged battles and produce weapons of immense destruction led to unprecedented devastation. Chemical weapons, rampant disease, and the sheer scale of combat resulted in millions of deaths by the war's end. The conflict left behind a lost generation and a stark realization of the human toll of industrialized warfare.

Opposing Forces and the Path to Armistice

After four grueling years of war, the opposing forces in WWI were exhausted. The United States' entry on the Allies' side and Russia's withdrawal following the Bolshevik Revolution altered the war's dynamics. By 1918, the Central Powers were struggling, plagued by blockades, internal uprisings, and dwindling resources. The war-weary nations began seeking a way to end the conflict.

Ending World War I

The conclusion of World War I became a reality with the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918. As the Central Powers faced internal uprisings and political chaos, leaders from the warring nations negotiated peace terms. Ten days after the Armistice, the German navy officially surrendered.

The Armistice brought an end to the fighting and paved the way for the Treaty of Versailles, which formally concluded the war and reshaped Europe's borders. The end of World War I also triggered a chain of events that would culminate in the Second World War two decades later.

From Ancient Conflicts to World Wars

Humanity's inclination toward conflict has left a dark and enduring mark on history. The earliest battles in the fertile regions of ancient Sumer evolved into the structured, often prolonged wars between organized states or nations, fought for dominance, resources, or survival. These early conflicts laid the foundation for understanding the political and psychological roots of war, a theme that persists through history and culminates in the catastrophic events of modern times.