The First World War: A Global Conflict

Source: Wikipedia

The First World War, also known as World War I, was a global conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918. It involved many of the world's great powers, which were divided into two main alliances: the Allied Powers and the Central Powers. The war began after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and quickly escalated into a full-scale conflict.

The war was fought on several fronts, including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Pacific. Trench warfare became a common feature of the Western Front, where soldiers lived and fought in trenches for months on end. New technologies such as machine guns, tanks, and chemical weapons made the war particularly deadly.

Major battles like the Battle of Verdun and the Battle of the Somme resulted in massive casualties. The war also saw significant involvement from colonial troops from Africa, Asia, and the Americas, highlighting its global nature.

The war ended on November 11, 1918, with the signing of the Armistice. The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, officially ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers. The war had profound effects on the world, leading to significant political changes and setting the stage for World War II.