The First World War, which lasted from 1914 to 1918, was a global conflict involving many countries in Europe and beyond the continent. The origins of this war are rooted in a number of complex factors, including nationalism, imperialism, and political alliances. Tensions between major European countries, especially Germany, France, England and Russia, increased along with the arms race and the struggle for colonies in various parts of the world. The decision to enter the war was officially triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary on June 28, 1914. This action set off a chain reaction through the alliance system that had been formed. Austria-Hungary, supported by Germany, issued an ultimatum to Serbia, which was supported by Russia. This conflict quickly expanded, involving more countries and forming two large blocs, namely the Allies (including France, Russia, and England) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Ottoman Turkey). One of the main impacts of the First World War was the change in the political map of Europe. The collapse of great empires such as Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire created new states and enlarged the territories of countries such as Poland and Czechoslovakia. In a social context, this war changed the role of women, who entered the world of work more actively when men fought on the battlefield. The economic impact of the First World War was also enormous. The high costs of war caused economic crises in many countries, especially in Europe. Many countries owed money to the United States to finance the war; after the war, this created tensions in international relations that resulted in the Second World War. Additionally, the war also introduced new technologies such as tanks and chemical weapons, which changed the way wars were fought in the future. Psychologically, the impact of war is felt in the form of collective trauma experienced by many soldiers and civilians. Many veterans returned home with PTSD, which was not fully understood at the time. In addition, the post-war recovery process left many people feeling hopeless, which was exacerbated by the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918. The First World War was not just an armed conflict, but also a historical moment that brought about fundamental changes in the world order. With the end of this war came a desire to create a more lasting peace, eventually leading to the formation of the League of Nations although it failed to prevent future conflict. When viewed in terms of its impact, the First World War was a turning point for modern history, shaping many geopolitical, social and economic aspects of the period that followed.
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