History glossary
First World War
the global war from 1914 to 1918 that pitted the Allied Powers against the Central Powers.
- Category
- War
- Region
- Global
- Date range
- 1914-1918
What it means
The First World War began after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and expanded through alliance systems, imperial rivalry, militarism, and nationalism. It was fought across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the seas, using industrial weapons and mass mobilization. The war ended with armistices in 1918, the collapse of several empires, and peace settlements that reshaped the twentieth century.
Related terms
Stories using this term
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