ABSTRACT
World War I World War I erupted on August 1, 1914, and what all Europeans imagined would be a short war dragged on until November 11, 1918. The Allied Powers-made up of the British Empire, France, Russia, and after 1917 the United States-defeated the Central Powers, composed of the German Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. At the conclusion of hostilities, the war had completely transformed the map, culture, politics, mentality, and importance of Europe. Approximately 9 million people were slaughtered, while nearly 22 million were missing or left crippled and mutilated. European economies were left in tatters, and four empires-the Austro-Hungarian, German, Russian, and Ottoman-had collapsed. To many, European civilization appeared to have completely crumbled.
