World War I, also known as the Great War, was a global conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918. It involved the major powers of the world at that time, including the Allied Powers of France, Great Britain, and Russia, and the Central Powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. The war was sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in June 1914. This event led to a complex web of alliances and tensions between nations that eventually erupted into a full-scale war.

The war was fought on multiple fronts, including the Western Front in Europe and the Middle East, and the Eastern Front in Russia. It involved trench warfare, chemical weapons, and technological advancements that had never been seen before. The war had a significant impact on the world, both during and after the conflict. It resulted in the deaths of millions of people, both military and civilian, and left many more injured and traumatized. The war also caused significant economic and social changes, DW News Today including the rise of new political ideologies and the end of several empires.

In 1917, the United States entered the war on the side of the Allies, providing much-needed support and resources. This helped turn the tide of the war, and in November 1918, an armistice was signed by the warring nations, bringing an end to the fighting. The aftermath of the war saw the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, which officially ended the war and imposed harsh penalties on Germany. This treaty is often cited as one of the contributing factors to the outbreak of World War II.