This collection of maps tells the story of World War I (1914-1918), a global conflict that originated in Europe and emerged from a combination of militarism, alliance systems, imperial rivalries, and nationalist tensions among the major powers.
Triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June 1914, the First World War rapidly escalated into a multifront struggle involving the Allied Powers (notably Britain, France, and Russia, later joined by the United States) and the Central Powers (primarily Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire). Characterized by industrialized warfare, trench stalemate on the Western Front, and total mobilization of societies and economies, the conflict resulted in unprecedented casualties and the collapse of several empires. The war reshaped political borders, contributed to revolutionary movements, and created unresolved tensions that significantly influenced the outbreak of World War II.
