About This Lesson
World War I began in Europe in July of 1914, sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. However, a complicated history of alliances, military buildup and nationalism had led to a situation where the war could become a large and worldwide conflict. The United States initially tried to maintain neutral, but eventually entered the war in 1917. In this lesson, students will learn about the causes, impact, and significance of World War I.