World War I
Global war centered on Europe and imperial theaters that destroyed several empires and reshaped the world order.
Historical overview
Overview adapted from a Wikipedia summary and stored locally on May 11, 2026.
World War I, or the First World War, also known as The Great War, was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies and the Central Powers. Major areas of conflict included Europe and the Middle East, as well as parts of Africa and the Asia-Pacific. The war saw important developments in weaponry including tanks, aircraft, artillery, machine guns, and chemical weapons. One of the deadliest conflicts in history, it resulted in an estimated 15 to 22 million military and civilian casualties and genocide. The movement of large numbers of people was a major factor in the deadly Spanish flu pandemic.
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World War I
Total war breaks imperial geography and prepares the collapse of several continental empires.
German, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman and Russian imperial systems are under existential pressure.