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The start of the First World War

Study note

The First World War began in 1914. The event that helped trigger it was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. His killing set off a chain of events that drew the great powers of Europe into war. It was Franz Ferdinand whose death helped start the war, not Tsar Nicholas of Russia, Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany or King George V.

In the war that followed, Britain and its allies fought against the Central Powers. The Central Powers included Germany and Austria-Hungary, so when Germany and Austria-Hungary are mentioned, remember they were on the Central side, not the Allied side. The fighting continued until the war ended in 1918. The key fact to recall is that the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 helped trigger the First World War.

Memory tip: Trigger of WWI: the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914.

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Question 1 of 2

Whose assassination helped trigger the First World War in 1914?

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Show all questions and answers for The start of the First World War(2 questions with explanations)

The start of the First World War: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Whose assassination helped trigger the First World War in 1914?

    • King George V
    • Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria
    • Tsar Nicholas of Russia
    • Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany

    Correct answer: Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria

    The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria helped start the war.

  2. 2. Germany and Austria-Hungary fought in the First World War as part of which side?

    • The Central Powers
    • The Allied Powers
    • NATO
    • The Commonwealth

    Correct answer: The Central Powers

    Germany and Austria-Hungary were among the Central Powers in the First World War.

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