“The First Global Conflict: A History of World War I”

World War I, also known as the Great War, began in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. Fueled by nationalism, imperial rivalry, and tangled alliances, the conflict quickly spread across Europe and beyond. The Central Powers—led by Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire—fought against the Allied Powers, including Britain, France, Russia, and later the United States. Trench warfare, new technologies, and massive casualties defined the war. In 1918, the Allies emerged victorious, leading to the Treaty of Versailles. The war reshaped borders, toppled empires, and set the stage for future global conflicts, including World War II.