Introduction to World War I

World War I, also known as the Great War, took place from 1914 to 1918 and involved many of the world's great powers. This conflict was among the deadliest in history, leading to significant changes in many countries and the global landscape.

Causes of World War I

Several major battles defined World War I, including:

Key Events of World War I

It was a sunny day on June 28, 1914, when Austro-Hungarian archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated while parading at Sarajevo.  The perpetrator of the bold crime was Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist who is part of a terrorist group called the Black Hand.  Its ultimate goal was to create an independent Serb state, and eliminating the archduke was the first step. 

Unfortunately, things only went downhill from this point.  Angered by the archduke’s death, Austria-Hungary, backed by Germany, demanded Serbia to hand over Princip and his terrorist cell (as well as nine other unreasonable requests).  After Serbia declined to comply, Austria-Hungary declared war.

Neighboring Russia - a Serbian ally - then mobilized its army.  When it ignored Germany’s demands to stop, the Germans finally joined the fray on Austria-Hungary’s side.

The Black Hand was a Serbian Nationalist group committed to liberating all Serbians from Austro-Hungarian control. Gavrilo Princip (19 years old) assassinates Archduke Franz Ferdinand (heir to the throne in A-H) and his wife on a trip to Sarajevo, Bosnia.

Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia!

Great Britain sided with Russia and Serbia after Germany invaded Belgium (British territory) to reach a fully mobilized France. Japan, through its alliances with England, joined the war on its side weeks later. The Ottoman Empire, the US, and other European countries joined in much later.

Allied Powers: Britain, France, Italy, US, Japan, Russia, Serbia

Central Powers: Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Germany, Ottoman Empire