The first World War was the birth of modern, industrial warfare. It used modern weapons and technologies, and reconciled the old world tactics of fighting with the new industrial age. It highlighted the need for quick and mobile troops to prevent battles of attrition, and also ushered in new killing technologies like poison gas, that would go on to make warfare bloodier than ever. The first world war left a definite impact on the world. Due to the stress it placed on many governments, and economies it allowed many extremist groups to rise to power in its aftermath, such as the Bolsheviks in Russia or the Nazis in Germany. These powers would eventually go on to participate in the Great War’s even greater predecessor, which undoubtedly shaped the world today. But why did world war one start in the first place? The answer is that Europe was a timber box waiting to be lit. Between the recent bolstering of militaries with new and deadly technologies, the complex network of alliances between different nations, and the increasing imperialism of these countries, a perfect storm was brewing. The spark that would lead to the first world war was the killing of Franz Ferdinand, which plummeted Europe into warfare. The Great War, or The War to End all wars ended nothing. Countless wounded and 20 million dead were left in its wake. It set the stage for its even greater predecessor, and marked a new chapter in mankind’s long history of violence and bloodshed. Understanding the first world war is crucial to understanding the west as it is today.