Introduction to World War 1

For four years, a bloodthirsty battle raged on engulfing all in its path -  the soldiers, the civilians, the leaders, the victims. The once innocent, peaceful landscape was redecorated into an ashen, bruised war ground. The pungent stench of poisonous gas, dry blood and sweat stained the air. Bloody bodies littered the engorged craters carved into the soil as a result of trench warfare and the use of toxic gases.

This event was later identified as World War I.

World War I was a major war that occurred in Europe on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918. It involved all the world's great powers at that time which were assembled in two opposing alliances:

The Triple Entente: France, Russia, Britain

The Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy

The main trigger of the war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, on 28 June 1914. Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb associated with a nationalist group - the Black Hand Society - strived for Serbia's independence, and did so through the Duke’s murder. Ferdinand's assassination resulted in Austria-Hungary invading Serbia. This small conflict between the two countries spread rapidly. Naturally, Austria-Hungary sought Germany’s aid in attacking Serbia. Likewise, Serbia turned to Russia, which in turn brought France and Britain into the game. The countries were all drawn into the war due to their treaties which obligated them to defend certain nations.

Within weeks the major powers were at war. In the end Germany agreed to cease fire on 11 November 1918.

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