The World Wars

  • Death of an Heir

    Death of an Heir
    Strained relations between empires and the news of Serbian nationalists assassinating the Austrian Heir, Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, sparked the First World War. Photo: The Art Archive/Superstock
  • Period: to

    World War I

    The Triple Entente (United Kingdom, France and Russia) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy) fought across Europe for more than four years.
  • The Treaty of Versailles

    The Treaty of Versailles
    The Triple Entente, led by the United Kingdom and France and supported by the United States, Italy, and Japan, claimed victory over the Central Powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire in November 1919. The Treaty of Versailles marked the end of the war and effectively dismantled some empires. Photo: AbleStock.com/Thinkstock
  • Rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party

    Rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party
    After much political maneuvering by the Nazi Party, Hitler is named chancellor of a coalition government of the NSDAP-DNVP Party. Photo: Photos.com/Thinkstock
  • World War II

    World War II
    The western allies declare war on Germany for its invasion of Poland. Photo: Photos.com/Thinkstock
  • World War II Ends

    World War II Ends
    When the war is over, Britain, France and Germany are broken empires. The United States and the Soviet Union are the two remaining great powers. Photo: Science and Society/Superstock