Final answer:
The major event that caused a 'break' with the past and led to the emergence of Modernism was World War I. World War I was a time of immense social and political turmoil that influenced various aspects of society, leading to a desire for change and progress. This desire for change shaped the Modernist movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major event that caused a 'break' with the past and led to the emergence of Modernism was World War I.
World War I, also known as the Great War, was a time of immense social and political turmoil. The devastation and horror of the war led to a desire to reinvent the world and create something new. This desire for change and progress influenced various aspects of society, including technology, art, architecture, and poetry.
Modernism sought to question the traditions and values of the past, and World War I played a significant role in shaping this movement.