World War I What is a world war? A world war is a war affecting the majority of the world's major nations. World wars usually span multiple continents, and are very bloody and destructive. Total war is a military conflict in which nations mobilize all available resources in order to destroy another nation's ability to engage in war. A world war is a war affecting the majority of the world's major nations. World wars usually span multiple continents, and are very bloody and destructive. Total war is a military conflict in which nations mobilize all available resources in order to destroy another nation's ability to engage in war. Who fought in World War I? International conflict between the Central PowersGermany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria and the Allied Powersmainly France, Britain, Russia, Italy, and (from 1917) the U.S. International conflict between the Central PowersGermany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria and the Allied Powersmainly France, Britain, Russia, Italy, and (from 1917) the U.S. Central Powers Allied Powers Central Powers Allied Powers 32 countries around the world were part of the war effort, some in the actual fighting, some as support. 32 countries around the world were part of the war effort, some in the actual fighting, some as support. How long did the war last? July 28, 1914 July 28, 1914 Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia November 11, 1918 November 11, 1918 Armistice Day; fighting ceased Austria-Hungarys declaration of war on Serbia The Treaty of Versailles How many men participated in World War I, and what were the casualty totals? How many men participated in World War I, and what were the casualty totals? Over 65 million men were mobilized across Europe during WWI. Over 65 million men were mobilized across Europe during WWI. Nearly 10 million men died during WWI, and nearly 20 million more were wounded. Nearly 10 million men died during WWI, and nearly 20 million more were wounded. Who were the leaders of both sides of the conflict? Who were the leaders of both sides of the conflict? Central Powers Emperor Franz Josef Austria-Hungary Emperor Franz Josef Austria-Hungary Kaiser Wilhelm II - Germany Kaiser Wilhelm II - Germany Sultan Mehmed V Ottoman Empire Sultan Mehmed V Ottoman Empire Tsar Ferdinand - Bulgaria Tsar Ferdinand - Bulgaria The Allies Nikola Pasic - Serbia Nikola Pasic - Serbia Czar Nicholas II - Russia Czar Nicholas II - Russia Georges Clemenceau - France Georges Clemenceau - France King George V - England King George V - England Vittorio Orlando - Italy Vittorio Orlando - Italy King Albert I - Belgium King Albert I - Belgium President Woodrow Wilson United States President Woodrow Wilson United States Why was the war fought? World War I was fought for a variety of reasons, including, but not nearly limited to: World War I was fought for a variety of reasons, including, but not nearly limited to: Nationalism Imperialism Militarism / An Arms Race Alliances The Balkan Conflicts Revenge Assassination of the Archduke Economic Gain Political Unrest