By 1914, Europeans had enjoyed almost a century without a major war. They had witnessed incredible changes. Rapid advances in science and industry had fed a belief in almost unlimited progress, peace, and prosperity. That confidence vanished in August 1914, buried in an avalanche of death and destruction. World War I engulfed much of the world for four years. For those who survived, it marked the beginning of a disturbing new age. In Russia, the disastrous consequences of World War I led to the collapse of the monarchy and the rise of the Bolsheviks.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, a number of forces were pushing Europe to the brink of war.
The Great War was the largest conflict in history up to that time. Modern weapons resulted in huge numbers of casualties.
In their efforts to achieve victory, governments committed all their nations' resources to the war effort.
As Europe struggled to recover from the devastation of war, world leaders met in Paris to craft a peace treaty.
In March 1917, the first of two revolutions would topple the Romanov dynasty and pave the way for even more radical changes.