The War to End All Wars

World War I

Explore the causes, battles, consequences, and personal stories of the First World War (1914–1918)

What Was World War I?

World War I, also known as the Great War, was a global conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918, involving over 30 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the war quickly escalated due to complex alliances and long-standing tensions among the great powers. The two main sides were the Allied Powers (including France, the United Kingdom, Russia, and later the United States) and the Central Powers (primarily Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire). It was the first war to use modern industrial technology on a massive scale, leading to unprecedented levels of destruction and loss of life, with over 16 million deaths. The war reshaped borders, collapsed empires, and set the stage for major political changes, including the rise of fascism and the outbreak of World War II two decades later.

Copyright info Front page of the Sunday supplement of Corriere della Sera, July 5, 1914 – Assassination in Sarajevo. Artist: Achille Beltrame (1871–1945). Source: Museo Storico Italiano della Guerra, Rovereto / Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain.

Copyright info Poster of the mobilization in France on August 2, 1914 – this poster was placed on the walls of all the towns in France. Date: August 2, 1914. Source: Own work. Author: Unknown. License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0) and compatible older versions.

The assassination attempt in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914 – on the left in a not entirely accurate contemporary depiction – was followed by the July Crisis and mutual mobilizations, on the right the order of the French mobilization for 2 August 1914

A German trench occupied by British soldiers of the Cheshire Regiment near the Albert-Bapaume road at Ovillers-la-Boisselle, July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. Copyright info A German trench occupied by British soldiers of the Cheshire Regiment near the Albert-Bapaume road at Ovillers-la-Boisselle, July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. Date: July 1916. Source: Imperial War Museums (collection no. 1900-13). Photographer: Lt. J. W. Brooke (John Warwick Brooke, 1886–1929). Copyright: Crown Copyright – Public Domain.

Dive Deeper Into the Great War

To fully understand the magnitude and complexity of World War I, it's essential to explore the war from multiple perspectives. The following sections guide you through the most important aspects of the conflict — from the tangled web of political tensions that ignited it to the global repercussions that followed in its wake.

We begin with the Causes of World War I, where you’ll learn how long-standing rivalries, aggressive nationalism, imperial ambitions, and a dangerous network of military alliances created a highly volatile situation in early 20th-century Europe. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 acted as the immediate spark, but the underlying tensions had been building for decades.

Next, in Major Battles, we examine the bloody confrontations that defined the war, such as the Somme, Verdun, and Gallipoli. These battles were not just military engagements but also symbols of national endurance and sacrifice, often resulting in massive casualties for little territorial gain.

The war was largely fought in trenches, and in Soldiers & Life in the Trenches, you'll gain insight into the daily lives of the millions who endured harsh conditions, constant danger, and psychological trauma. Stories from soldiers' letters and diaries reveal the human side of the conflict, where camaraderie and despair existed side by side.

In Propaganda & Media, we look at how governments on all sides used posters, newspapers, and film to shape public opinion, encourage enlistment, and suppress dissent. The war marked a turning point in how information was controlled and weaponized.

The devastating scale of destruction was made possible by advances in military technology. In Technology & Weapons, you’ll explore how World War I became the first truly industrialized war, with new inventions like machine guns, tanks, airplanes, and chemical weapons changing warfare forever.

As the guns fell silent in 1918, the world was left to reckon with the consequences. The Aftermath & Treaty of Versailles section unpacks the peace negotiations that officially ended the war, redrew borders, and placed harsh penalties on the defeated Central Powers—particularly Germany. These decisions had long-lasting consequences, many of which would contribute to the outbreak of World War II.

But the war was never just a European affair. In Global Impact & Colonies, we explore how countries and peoples from Africa, Asia, and the Americas were drawn into the conflict. Colonial soldiers fought and died on foreign soil, and the war deeply impacted global politics and colonial relationships.

Finally, the Photo & Video Archive offers a visual journey through the war years. From haunting battlefield images and trench scenes to propaganda reels and official footage, these historical documents bring the realities of World War I to life in a way that words alone cannot.

Each of these topics offers a doorway into a deeper understanding of World War I. Whether you're a student, teacher, history enthusiast, or first-time visitor, this resource will guide you through one of the most significant chapters in modern history.

Battle of Verdun, March 14, 1916: German infantry attack on the Toter Mann Heights Copyright info Attack (beginning): German soldiers leaving their trenches to storm Dead Man’s Hill (Le Mort Homme) near Verdun. In the left foreground, two soldiers throwing hand grenades; in the background, a soldier using a flamethrower. Date: March 14–15, 1916 (some sources cite March 14, 1916). Source: *Der Weltkrieg in seiner rauhen Wirklichkeit. Das Frontkämpferwerk*. Oberammergau 1926, p. 296. Photographer/Author: Hermann Rex (1884–1937). Copyright: Public Domain.

Despite technical problems, tanks became increasingly important from 1917 onwards and were essentially only available to the Allies: British Mark IV during the Battle of Cambrai. Copyright info A British Mark IV tank (Male type) of H Battalion named “Hyacinth” is shown ditched in a German trench while supporting the 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, near Ribécourt during the Battle of Cambrai. Date: 20 November 1917. Photographer: Lieutenant John Warwick Brooke (1886–1929). Source: Imperial War Museums – Ministry of Information First World War Official Collection. License: IWM Non-Commercial Licence; Crown Copyright (expired), Public Domain.

World War I

Over 16 million lives lost, millions more wounded

The Human Cost of World War I

Canadian soldier with moderate mustard gas burns Copyright info A Canadian soldier with mustard gas burns, ca. 1917–1918. Photographer / Author: Unknown. Source: Library and Archives Canada (reproduction ref. no. C-080027, MIKAN ID 3194270). Date: Original ca. 1916; this version ca. 1918. Location: France. License: Public Domain under Crown copyright rules—published more than 50 years ago or author deceased before 1972.

Wounded Belgian soldiers in Calais on November 11, 1914 Copyright info Wounded Belgian troops walking through Calais on 11 November 1914. Date: 11 November 1914 (First World War). Source: Imperial War Museums – Sport and General Press Agency Collection, Q 53437. Photographer/Author: Unknown. License: IWM Non-Commercial Licence; Crown Copyright (expired after over 50 years); Public Domain.

World War I left a devastating mark on the 20th century, not only in terms of political and geographic upheaval, but in the sheer scale of human suffering. It is estimated that between 16 and 20 million people lost their lives during the conflict. Of these, approximately 10 million were soldiers who died on the battlefield or from war-related injuries, while another 6 to 10 million were civilians — many of whom perished due to famine, disease, forced displacement, and bombings in war-torn regions.

The toll did not end with the dead. The war also left around 21 million soldiers wounded, many with life-altering injuries. In addition, nearly 7 million people were reported missing or unaccounted for, their fates often never discovered. Some were buried in unmarked graves, while others were victims of mass destruction or chaotic retreats.

Country	Military Deaths	Civilian Deaths	Wounded	Total Casualties
Russia	~1.8 million	~1.5 million	~5.0 million	~8.3 million
Germany	~2.0 million	~426,000	~4.2 million	~6.6 million
France	~1.4 million	~300,000	~4.3 million	~6.0 million
Austria-Hungary	~1.1 million	~467,000	~3.6 million	~5.2 million
United Kingdom	~887,000	~100,000	~1.7 million	~2.7 million
Ottoman Empire	~770,000	~2 million (est.)	~400,000	~3.2 million
Italy	~650,000	~589,000	~947,000	~2.1 million
United States	~117,000	~0	~204,000	~321,000
Romania	~250,000	~430,000	~120,000	~800,000
Serbia	~130,000	~650,000	~135,000	~915,000
Belgium	~38,000	~62,000	~44,000	~144,000
Bulgaria	~87,500	~100,000	~152,000	~340,000
Greece	~26,000	~132,000	~21,000	~179,000

A British 60-pounder Mk I battery in action on a cliff at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, around June 1915.

Posters proclaiming the annexation (Sarajevo, 1908)

British Mark IV tank “Hyacinth” ditched in German trench (Battle of Cambrai, 20 November 1917)

Work on the internal assembly of gas masks (1914–1918, Switzerland)

Scheidemann proclaims the Republic – Reichstag balcony, 9 November 1918

Sinking of the armoured cruiser SMS Blücher (Battle of Dogger Bank, 25 January 1915)

Bulgarian soldiers on their way to the front (Postcard, ca. 1916)

Sinking of the British cargo ship “Maplewood” by U-35 (Mediterranean, 7 April 1917)

Argonne Forest – shattered forest near Bagatelle (October 1915)

German soldiers in Jerusalem marching through the town, ca. 1916/17

Marshal Foch in front of his saloon carriage in Compiègne (Armistice, November 1918)

Aerial view of a German gas attack on the Eastern Front (1916, Federal Archives)

German tank in Roye (Western Front, Spring Offensive, 21 March 1918)

German soldier on the Western Front (Western Front, Somme, 1916)

German infantry during a gas attack in Flanders (World War I, 1916)

Flight of French peasants on the Western Front (1914)

Wilhelm II on the way into exile – Eysden border crossing, 10 November 1918

Mobilization in Berlin – Reservists waving from a truck (August 1914)

Berlin – First pay after mobilization (1914)

Fraternisation on the Eastern Front – Truce 1918

Berlin, Extra Edition – Citizens read mobilization notice at Moritzplatz (August 1914)

Casa sinistrata Piave – Patriotic postcard commemorating the Battle of Solstice, June 1918

Australian troops on a duckboard track through Chateau Wood (Ypres, 29 October 1917)

Cheshire Regiment occupies German trench (Somme, July 1916)

Cover of “La Domenica del Corriere” – Sunday supplement of Corriere della Sera, 5 July 1914 (Assassination in Sarajevo)

Demonstration of Putilov factory women on the first day of the February Revolution, 1917

Symbolic M16 steel helmet with oak leaves (Own work, 2025)

“Big Bertha” in position before Liège – 7 August 1914

Painting "Air Battle" by Michael Zeno Diemer (1918, Bavarian Army Museum)

“The Nameless 1914” – monumental anti-war painting by Albin Egger-Lienz (1916)

Official proclamation of war status in Berlin – 31 July 1914

Soldiers’ cemetery on the Eastern Front (c. 1916)

Prince Faisal’s delegation at the Versailles Peace Conference (1919)

Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria and Kaiser Wilhelm II inspecting troops (Niš, 18 January 1916)

French attack on German dugout in Flanders (August 1917, Third Battle of Ypres)

Refugee transport near Leibnitz (1914)

German Fokker single-seat fighter biplane over a French village (1917/18)

Fort Douaumont at the end of 1916

Fort Douaumont at the end of 1916

Aerial view – trench system near Warneton, 3 September 1917

“The Grieving Parents” – memorial group by Käthe Kollwitz (Vladslo, 1932)

Exhibition of occupational clothing for working women – Grüner Saal, 1917

HMS Queen Mary explodes during the Battle of Jutland (31 May 1916)

Transport horses in the trench (First World War, 1915)

Mobilization in Lübeck – Departure of the 2nd Battalion of Regiment Lübeck for island protection at Sylt (31 July 1914)

Cavalry Non-Commissioned Officer Lorenz Horn (German South-West Africa, Sept. 1914)

Cartoon on Austria’s Occupation of Albania – Kikeriki, 6 February 1916

Mass grave near Fromelles (retouched, 1916/17)

Mass grave at Fromelles/Vimy (likely 1916/1917)

Sir Frederick Stanley Maude leads the Indian Army into Baghdad (1917)

Canadian soldier with mustard gas burns (c. 1917–1918)

Supreme Army Command (Hindenburg, Wilhelm II., Ludendorff) en route to the Grand Headquarters at Avesnes – Spring Offensive March/April 1918

Ottoman Empire declaration of war during World War I, 1 November 1914

German troops using flamethrower against Mark IV tank (Somme, possibly Battle of Amiens, August 1918)

Tank assault at Cambrai – enemy tank with air support attacks German lines (1917/18)

“Meeting in No Man’s Land” – Russian and German troops encounter each other peacefully (1917)

Meeting before the Russian barbed wire entanglements (1917)

Royal Irish Rifles ration party in a communication trench (Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916)

Royal Naval Division leaves trench at Gallipoli – bayonet assault (1915)

“Gassed” – Victims of a mustard gas attack (John Singer Sargent, 1919)

“Serbia must die!” – Austrian propaganda caricature (1914)

Entrance to the German commandant’s dugout in St. Quentin – circa 1917–1918

“The Girl Behind the Gun” – women in munitions factories (The War Budget, 30 December 1915)

“The Way to the Front” – soldier running along corduroy track through Chateau Wood near Passchendaele (October–November 1917)

The Western Front, 1914 – Wounded Belgian troops walking through Calais

The former German submarine UB-148 at sea – after surrender to the United States (1919)

Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos reviews Greek troops on the Macedonian front (WWI, April 1917)

Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos reviews Greek troops on the Macedonian front (WWI, April 1917)

Christmas Truce 1914 – British and German soldiers in No Man’s Land

William Orpen – “The Signing of Peace in the Hall of Mirrors, Versailles 1919 (detail)”

Arms production in Britain during WWI – munitionette working with TNT via remote handling equipment at Woolwich Arsenal

Maria Bochkareva, Emmeline Pankhurst and women of the Death Battalion, 1917

Western Front 1917 – female auxiliary workers on their way to work

US Army Signal Corps – Female Telephone Operators (“Hello Girls”), 1917–1918

Women guiding 6-inch howitzer shells at Chilwell Shell Filling Factory, July 1917

From factory floors to field hospitals

Women During the War

During World War I, women played a vital role both on the front lines and at home, stepping into roles that had traditionally been reserved for men. As millions of men were sent to fight, women filled critical gaps in the workforce — working in munitions factories, driving trams, serving as nurses, and even joining auxiliary military services. In countries like Britain, France, Germany, and the United States, women proved indispensable to the war effort, handling everything from industrial production to agricultural labor. Their contributions not only kept economies running but also challenged long-standing gender roles. For many women, the war became a turning point that laid the groundwork for future demands for political rights, including the right to vote, which was granted in several countries shortly after the war ended.

Propaganda Poster: Women Needed for the WAAC (WWI) Copyright info A Ministry of Labour propaganda poster for the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), reading: “Women urgently wanted for the WAAC. Work at home and abroad with the Forces.”

Date: First World War (likely around 1917–18) :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Source: Imperial War Museum poster Q 68242, part of the “Propaganda Posters of the First World War” collection, available via Wikimedia Commons :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Author: Unknown (likely a Ministry of Labour agency or state-run design) :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
License: Public Domain – the work is older than 70 years and was state-sponsored without a formal copyright :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Walk the battlefields, stand beneath the memorials, and experience the places where World War I shaped history and claimed millions of lives.

In the Footsteps of the Great War

To truly grasp the scale and impact of World War I, step into the landscapes where history unfolded. From the muddy trenches of Flanders to the windswept hills of Gallipoli, these sites preserve the memory of a conflict that reshaped the world. Across Europe and beyond, battlefields, cemeteries, and museums offer powerful reflections on courage, sacrifice, and the price of war.

Begin your journey in Ypres, Belgium, a once-flattened city at the heart of the Western Front. Visit the Menin Gate, where the names of over 54,000 missing soldiers are etched in stone, and experience the Last Post ceremony, performed every evening in honor of the fallen. Just outside the town, Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world, stretches across the fields of Flanders.

Travel next to Verdun, France, where one of the longest and most brutal battles in history took place. Here, the Douaumont Ossuary holds the remains of over 130,000 unidentified soldiers, while nearby Fort Douaumont and the Verdun Memorial Museum offer chilling insights into the horrors of trench warfare. Scattered throughout the area are destroyed villages — wiped off the map during the battle and never rebuilt.

Further west in the Somme region, the sheer scale of the 1916 offensive becomes clear. The Thiepval Memorial honors over 72,000 missing British and South African soldiers, and Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial Park preserves a section of original battlefield with trenches still visible today.

Make a stop in Gallipoli, Turkey, where Allied forces — particularly Australians and New Zealanders — landed in 1915 in a failed campaign against the Ottoman Empire. Visit ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery, and the Çanakkale Martyrs’ Memorial, all set against a backdrop of dramatic coastline and steep hills.

In Italy, explore the alpine battlegrounds of the Isonzo Front and Monte Grappa, where brutal mountain warfare was waged against Austria-Hungary. The monumental Redipuglia War Memorial is the resting place of over 100,000 Italian soldiers and stands as one of Europe’s largest war memorials.

Head north to London, where the Imperial War Museum houses one of the most comprehensive World War I collections in the world. From original uniforms and weapons to recreated trench experiences, the museum brings history to life. Meanwhile, in Paris, the Musée de la Grande Guerre offers a modern, interactive look at the war’s impact on soldiers and civilians alike.

For a deeply personal experience, visit the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in France — the largest U.S. military cemetery in Europe, where over 14,000 American troops are buried. Or travel to Princeton, New Jersey, where the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City offers a panoramic view of the global conflict and its aftermath.

Whether you're walking through silent cemeteries or standing in preserved trenches, these places tell the story of a generation scarred by war. In the footsteps of the Great War, we find not only echoes of the past, but reminders of the fragile peace that followed.

Ypres

Ypres, Belgium, is a powerful WWI memorial site. Visit the In Flanders Fields Museum for deep insights, and attend the daily Last Post at Menin Gate. Explore nearby cemeteries like Tyne Cot and Essex Farm, and walk preserved trenches at Hill 60 or Sanctuary Wood. Don’t miss the Passchendaele Museum and Langemark German Cemetery. The area offers a moving journey through history with memorials, museums, and battlefield sites.

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Verdun

Verdun, France, was the site of one of WWI’s longest and deadliest battles. Visit the Verdun Memorial Museum for a deep dive into the battle. Explore the Douaumont Ossuary, holding remains of over 130,000 soldiers, and Fort Douaumont, a key defense post. Walk the destroyed village of Fleury and the trenches at Fort Vaux. Verdun offers a haunting yet powerful reminder of the war’s devastation and the soldiers’ sacrifice.

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The Somme Region

The Somme region in France was the site of one of WWI’s bloodiest battles. Start at the Historial de la Grande Guerre in Péronne for context. Visit the Thiepval Memorial, honoring 72,000 missing soldiers, and the nearby Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundl and Memorial with preserved trenches. Explore Lochnagar Crater and cemeteries like Pozieres and Delville Wood. The Somme offers powerful insight into trench warfare and the immense cost of the Great War.

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Gallipoli

Gallipoli, Turkey, is a key WWI site where ANZAC, British, and Ottoman forces clashed in 1915. Visit ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery, and Chunuk Bair Memorial for stunning views and solemn remembrance. Explore original trenches and the Gallipoli Simulation Center. The peninsula's peaceful beauty contrasts deeply with its tragic past, offering a moving tribute to those who fought and fell during the fierce Gallipoli campaign.

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Monte Grappa & Isonzo Front

Monte Grappa and the Isonzo Front in northern Italy were major WWI battle zones between Italy and Austria-Hungary. On Monte Grappa, visit the vast war memorial (Sacrario Militare) and the museum in the summit fortress. The Isonzo Front offers sites like Redipuglia War Memorial, the open-air museum on Mount Sabotino, and trenches in Kobarid (Slovenia). These mountain and riverfront battlefields show the harsh conditions and sacrifices of Alpine warfare.

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London

In London, WWI history is preserved in powerful sites and museums. Visit the Imperial War Museum for personal stories, artifacts, and immersive exhibits. The Cenotaph in Whitehall is the UK’s central war memorial. At Westminster Abbey, see the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. Explore the Royal Air Force Museum and the National Army Museumfor insight into Britain’s wartime role. London offers a rich and reflective journey through WWI remembrance.

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Paris

In Paris, WWI remembrance is woven into its historic fabric. Visit the Musée de l’Armée at Les Invalides for extensive WWI exhibits. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the Arc de Triomphe honors fallen soldiers with an eternal flame. Stroll through the Père Lachaise Cemetery, where some WWI figures rest. For a deeper dive, take a short trip to Meaux to explore the Musée de la Grande Guerre, one of Europe’s largest WWI museums.

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Romagne-sous-Montfaucon

Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, in northeastern France, is a poignant WWI site. The Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, the largest U.S. military cemetery in Europe, holds over 14,000 graves from the 1918 offensive. Nearby, the Montfaucon American Monument—a towering Doric column—commemorates the American First Army's victory. The Romagne 14–18 Museum displays personal artifacts from the war, offering intimate insights. A German military cemetery also honors fallen soldiers, reflecting the area's deep wartime history.

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Kansas City

Kansas City is home to the National WWI Museum and Memorial, the United States' official World War I museum. Located at 2 Memorial Drive, the museum offers an immersive journey through the Great War, featuring a vast collection of artifacts, interactive exhibits, and personal narratives. Visitors can walk across a glass bridge suspended over a field of 9,000 red poppies, each representing 1,000 combatant deaths. The iconic Liberty Memorial Tower stands 217 feet tall, offering panoramic views of Kansas City from its observation deck. The museum's comprehensive exhibits and educational programs provide deep insights into the global impact of World War I.(Visit KC Newsroom, fotospot.com)

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Princeton

n Princeton, New Jersey, World War I remembrance is woven into the town's fabric. The Princeton War Memorial Bench on Mercer Street honors local residents who served in the Great War. At Princeton University, Nassau Hall's Memorial Atrium, established in 1920, commemorates alumni who died in WWI. Additionally, bronze stars on dormitory window sills mark the rooms of fallen students, serving as poignant reminders of their sacrifice.

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