The first recorded use of the term First World War was in September 1914 by German biologist and philosopher Ernst Haeckel who stated, "There is no doubt that the course and … See more

Sarajevo assassination
In the summer of 1914, the sovereigns of Europe were woven together by treaties, alliances, as well as secret agreements. The See more

Of the 60 million European military personnel who were mobilised from 1914 to 1918, an estimated 8 million were killed, 7 million were … See more

Political and military alliances
For much of the 19th century, the major European powers maintained a tenuous balance of power, … See more

Opening hostilities
Confusion among the Central Powers
The strategy of the Central Powers suffered from miscommunication. Germany promised … See more

In the aftermath of the war, four empires disappeared: the German, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, and Russian. Numerous nations … See more

Allied personnel was around 42,928,000, while Central personnel was near 25,248,000. The British soldiers of the war were initially volunteers but increasingly were conscripted. Surviving veterans, returning home, often found they could discuss their … See more