Final answer:
The aftermath of the war led to both gratitude for peace and an understanding that life was irrevocably altered for many. The mechanized warfare diminished personal acts of heroism and left indelible marks on those who served and those who waited at home. Post-war, the rise of fascism and redrawing of national borders illustrated the long-lasting impact of the conflict.
Step-by-step explanation:
The aftermath of the war was a mix of emotions, including a sense of gratefulness for the end of the conflict, yet a realization that the war had caused irreversible changes to the lives of those at home and abroad. The early dreams of glory and quick victory gave way to the brutal reality of a mechanized and prolonged war, where technology rendered individual heroism less relevant. Traditional combat was replaced by the impersonal and random nature of death, with survival often hinging on luck rather than skill.
Women on the homefront experienced unimaginable stress, with the knowledge that their loved ones might not return, and if they did, they could be greatly changed by their experiences. The human cost was staggering, with hundreds of thousands dead or wounded. The war's end led to the observed political rise of fascism, out of a complex mix of dissatisfaction and desire for retribution, reshaping the 20th century's political landscape.
The belief that the war might be 'The War to End All Wars' was a hope stemming from the sheer scale of suffering and devastation, with major changes in European borders and the emergence of new nations. Despite calls to prevent future conflict, military engagements continued globally, though a subsequent world war was, to date, averted.