Final answer:
Factories were converted to produce weapons and military equipment during World War I as part of the industrialization of warfare.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factories that had already contributed to life in the 20th century converted to produce weapons and military equipment during World War I. This conversion was part of the industrialization of warfare, as advancements in technology allowed for the mass production of weapons with greater firepower.
As the war ended, the skills and techniques developed for wartime production laid the groundwork for a further industrial revolution in the consumer goods sector. This period of wartime industrialization contributed to the transition from an agricultural-based economy to an industrial-based economy, which continued to shape the economic landscape well into the 20th century.
For example, the introduction of machine guns, long-range artillery guns, aircraft, and submarines revolutionized warfare during this time. The spread of industrialization enabled factories to produce these weapons in large quantities to meet the demands of the war.
Hence, factories were converted to produce weapons and military equipment during World War I as part of the industrialization of warfare.