When is the First World War started? This question has intrigued historians and students of history for over a century. The First World War, often referred to as the Great War, began on July 28, 1914, following a series of complex political and diplomatic events that would change the course of history.
The immediate trigger for the war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a Serbian nationalist named Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. This event set off a chain reaction of alliances and declarations of war among the European powers of the time. The assassination was just the surface of a much deeper conflict, rooted in long-standing tensions and rivalries among the major European powers.
The conflict was primarily between two large alliances: the Allied Powers, which included France, Russia, the United Kingdom, Italy, and eventually the United States, and the Central Powers, consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria. These alliances were formed based on a complex network of treaties and mutual defense agreements that, once activated, pulled the major powers into a global conflict.
The First World War was characterized by its unprecedented scale and the use of new and devastating technologies of war, such as machine guns, chemical weapons, and the first large-scale use of tanks and aircraft. The war was fought on multiple fronts, including the Western Front, the Eastern Front, the Italian Front, and the Middle Eastern Front, with battles and campaigns that left millions dead and wounded.
The war’s duration was six years, from 1914 to 1918, and it had a profound impact on the world. It led to the fall of several empires, including the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Russian Empire, and it laid the groundwork for the formation of new nations. The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, officially ended the conflict but also sowed the seeds of future conflicts, most notably the Second World War.
Understanding when the First World War started is crucial to comprehending its causes, its course, and its lasting effects on the global political and social landscape. The war’s legacy continues to shape the world we live in today, reminding us of the profound impact of historical events on the course of human history.
