First world war

The First World War (1914–1918) was a global conflict primarily centered in Europe. It was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria on June 28, 1914, leading to a chain reaction of alliances and hostilities. The war involved two major alliances:
• Allied Powers: Initially led by France, Russia, and Britain, later joined by Italy (1915) and the U.S. (1917).
• Central Powers: Led by Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire.

Key Features of WWI:
• Trench Warfare: The Western Front saw extensive trench battles, leading to stalemates.
• New Weapons: Tanks, machine guns, poison gas, and aircraft were widely used.
• Global Scale: Fighting occurred in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the seas.
• U.S. Entry: In 1917, the U.S. joined the Allies, boosting their strength.
• Russian Revolution: In 1917, Russia withdrew due to internal revolution, leading to Soviet rule.

End of the War:
• Germany and its allies began losing in 1918.
• An armistice was signed on November 11, 1918 (now observed as Armistice Day or Veterans Day).
• The Treaty of Versailles (1919) imposed heavy penalties on Germany, setting the stage for WWII.

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