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First World War

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First World War

World War One (WW1) was a major global conflict that lasted four years, from 1914 to 1918. It began on 28 July 1914, when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia one month to the day after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife were killed by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo. The conflict, which became known as the Great War, was fought between two groups: the Triple Alliance – initially made up of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy; and the Triple Entente - made up of Great Britain, France and Russia (Italy changed sides and joined the Allies in 1915). The United States of America entered the war in 1917. The First World War ended on 11 November 1918 when the Allies and Germany signed a ceasefire, or 'armistice’

First World War

Q&AWhat was the only major naval battle in the First World War?

Q&AHow did the world go to war in 1914?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

The forgotten first Great Escape of 1918. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Escaping the Blitz and recording the First World War. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

“Britain should have stayed out of the First World War” says Niall Ferguson. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

First World War

Refugees in Earls Court, Cardiff’s Land Girls, and the Glasgow Rent Strikes: BBC project to uncover life on the home front during WW1

First World War

Was Britain right to fight WW1? History Extra readers divided

Royal cousins at war and Brunel's brilliance. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Why Britain was right to go to war in 1914. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

First World War

Gary Sheffield on First World War debate: 'A German victory would have been a disaster for Britain'

First World War

Niall Ferguson: “Britain should have stayed out of First World War”

Paxman on World War One. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Jeremy Paxman: "The war finished Britain off in many respects". This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Britain in 1914 and Jesus in history. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Is Blackadder bad for First World War history?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

1914: Why the war caught Britain cold. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

My history hero: Khudadad Khan (1888-1971). This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

First World War galleryFirst World War Christmas cards

The legacy of the First World War and Gandhi's early years. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Books interview: Margaret MacMillan on the First World War. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

First World War

Conspiracy to murder?

Q&AHow old was the youngest known soldier to fight in WW1?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

First World War

Slang and swear words 'helped soldiers survive the First World War'

1914: Why Britain had to go to war. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Cold War culture and the path to the First World War. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

First World War

First World War drama The Wipers Times an instant hit with viewers

First World War

Your 60-second guide to Ypres

First World War

Telling jokes in the trenches: First World War newspaper The Wipers Times celebrated in new BBC drama

First World War galleryFirst World War posters

Where history happened: remembering the Great War. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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