World War I

 World War I, also known as the Great War, was a global conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918. It involved many of the world's major powers, divided into two opposing alliances: the Allies (led by France, the United Kingdom, and Russia) and the Central Powers (led by Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire).

The war began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo in June 1914. The incident sparked a diplomatic crisis that led to a declaration of war by Austria-Hungary against Serbia, and soon other countries were drawn into the conflict.

The war was fought on several fronts, including Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. New technologies such as machine guns, tanks, and chemical weapons made the fighting more brutal than ever before, resulting in millions of casualties.

The United States entered the war on the side of the Allies in 1917, and its participation helped to tip the balance in their favor. In 1918, the Central Powers began to collapse, and a series of offensives by the Allies led to their eventual victory.

The war had a profound impact on the world, leading to the collapse of several empires and the redrawing of national borders. It also paved the way for the rise of totalitarian regimes in Europe and the outbreak of World War II. The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, formally ended the war and imposed harsh penalties on Germany, setting the stage for the next chapter in European history.