World War I

In 1914, the world was plunged into war with the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand. For the next four years, the major European powers of Britain, France, Russia, and Germany were locked in a bloody conflict that would eventually claim over 15 million lives. The War would also see the rise of new technologies, such as tanks and chemical weapons, which would forever change the face of warfare. For students interested in learning about this pivotal moment in history, there are a number of resources available. Books such as A World Undone: The Story of the Great War, 1914-1918 by G. J. Meyer and The First World War: A Complete History by Martin Gilbert provide detailed overviews of the conflict, while websites like The History Place and First World War.com offer a wealth of primary source material, photos, and videos.