World War I, also known as the Great War, was a global conflict fought primarily in Europe from 1914 to 1918. Triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, it pitted the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria) against the Allied Powers (France, Great Britain, Russia, Italy, Japan, and the United States). Characterized by trench warfare, unprecedented technological advancements in weaponry, and devastating loss of life, the war resulted in the collapse of empires, redrew the map of Europe, and laid the groundwork for future conflicts, including World War II. The Treaty of Versailles, which officially ended the war, imposed harsh reparations on Germany, contributing to economic instability and resentment that fueled future global unrest.
