First and Second World Wars

The First World War (1914–1918) was a global conflict mainly in Europe, sparked by political tensions, alliances, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Countries like Britain, France, Russia, and later the U.S. fought against the Central Powers, mainly Germany and Austria-Hungary. It resulted in heavy casualties and significant political changes. The Second World War (1939–1945) was even larger, involving most of the world’s nations. It began with Germany’s invasion of Poland and was driven by totalitarian regimes and a desire for territory. It caused immense destruction, the Holocaust, and led to the creation of the United Nations.