The First World War was the result of a long period of tension between the main European powers.

The conflict
erupted after the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria. Austria blamed Serbia for this
fact and declared war. The outbreak of war in August 1914 was generally greeted with confidence and
enthusiasm by the peoples of Europe; it inspired patriotic feelings and celebration because people could not
imagine how long or tragic a war between the great nations of Europe could be.

The alliance mechanism included The Triple Alliance ‒ Germany, Austria and Italy on one side and The Triple
Entente ‒ France, Britain and Russia on the other side. In August 1914, Germany invaded France through
Belgium, and later attacked Poland. From this moment it was no longer a war of movement, but a war fought in
the trenches. In 1915 Italy entered the war alongside Germany and Austria, also managing to conquer Trento and
Trieste and to finish completing the independence of the nation. During the war the use of new weapons
increased and the population became increasingly desperate. In 1917 there were two important events: the
signing of the armistice by Germany with Russia and the entry into the war of the United States. 1918 was the
decisive year for the end of the conflict. With Germany and Austria at the economic collapse, the war was finally
over, leaving millions of dead behind. Peace was signed in Versailles in 1919.