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World War I, also known as the Great War, was a global war that lasted from 1914 to 1918. The war involved major world powers, divided into two opposing alliances: the Allied Powers and the Central Powers. The war led to the mobilization of more than 70 million military personnel, including 60 million Europeans, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. The war began when the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo.

Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, and soon after, a chain reaction of alliances and treaties led to the involvement of other major powers. The Allied Powers consisted of France, Russia, and the United Kingdom, while the Central Powers included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. The war was fought on multiple fronts, including Europe, Africa, and Asia. Trench warfare dominated the Western Front, with soldiers living in squalid conditions and facing constant danger from artillery fire and gas attacks.

The war also saw the first use of tanks, airplanes, and submarines in combat. The war had a profound impact on the world, leading to the collapse of several empires and the redrawing of national borders. The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, officially ended the war and imposed heavy reparations on Germany, which many historians believe contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the outbreak of World War II. The human toll of the war was staggering.

An estimated 8.5 million soldiers and 6.4 million civilians died as a direct result of the conflict. Millions more were injured or displaced. The war also brought about significant social and cultural changes, including the rise of women's suffrage and the emergence of modernist art movements. In conclusion, World War I was a devastating conflict that reshaped the world in countless ways. Its legacy can still be felt DW News Today, from the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East to the continued importance of international alliances and treaties.

The war serves as a reminder of the terrible cost of armed conflict and the importance of diplomacy and cooperation in maintaining peace.