When did the First World War begin and end? This pivotal event in human history, often referred to as the Great War, had a profound impact on the world. The conflict began on July 28, 1914, and ended on November 11, 1918, lasting exactly four years and three months.
The immediate trigger for the war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo, Bosnia, on June 28, 1914. The archduke and his wife were traveling through the city when they were shot by a Bosnian Serb nationalist named Gavrilo Princip. This event set off a chain of events that led to the outbreak of the war.
The conflict was primarily a clash between two alliances: the Allied Powers and the Central Powers. The Allied Powers included France, Russia, the United Kingdom, Italy, and eventually the United States, while the Central Powers comprised Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.
The war was characterized by massive loss of life, advanced military technology, and unprecedented destruction. Trench warfare became a hallmark of the conflict, with soldiers living in makeshift fortifications and facing relentless attacks. The use of chemical weapons, such as mustard gas, also marked a new low in the history of warfare.
The war ended with the signing of the Armistice of Compiègne, which was signed on November 11, 1918. This armistice effectively ended the fighting on the Western Front and marked the end of the war. The formal peace treaties were signed in 1919, with the Treaty of Versailles being the most significant document, outlining the terms of peace between the Allied Powers and Germany.
The First World War had a lasting impact on the world, reshaping borders, alliances, and political landscapes. It led to the fall of several empires, including the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Russian Empire. The war also laid the groundwork for the rise of new nations and the creation of the League of Nations, an early attempt at international cooperation and peacekeeping.
In conclusion, the First World War began on July 28, 1914, and ended on November 11, 1918, leaving an indelible mark on the course of human history. The conflict’s causes, consequences, and the sheer scale of the devastation make it a subject of enduring interest and study.
