Description

World War I, also known as the Great War, began on July 28, 1914, after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. This event triggered a chain reaction of alliances and conflicts among major European powers. The Allied Powers, including France, Russia, and the United Kingdom, fought against the Central Powers, primarily Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. Nationalism, militarism, and imperial ambitions further escalated the conflict.

The war quickly devolved into a stalemate characterized by trench warfare on the Western Front, resulting in horrific conditions and massive casualties. Technological advancements such as machine guns, tanks, and chemical weapons made the conflict exceptionally deadly. On the Eastern Front, the Russian Empire faced significant defeats, leading to the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 and Russia's exit from the war. The entry of the United States in 1917 bolstered the Allied Powers, helping to turn the tide against the Central Powers. By 1918, with severe shortages and internal upheaval, the Central Powers sought an armistice, leading to the end of the war on November 11, 1918.

The aftermath of World War I saw the collapse of the German, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, and Russian Empires. The Treaty of Versailles in 1919 imposed harsh penalties on Germany, contributing to future conflicts. The war resulted in significant geopolitical changes, including the redrawing of national borders and the creation of new countries in Europe and the Middle East.

Engraver: Balázs Bitó