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The First World War (1914-1918): the context
Before 1914, European countries are in tension. They form 2 alliances: the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance.
Key points of the sheet
- The Triple Entente brings together France, the United Kingdom and Russia. The Triple Alliance brings together the German and Austro-Hungarian empires and Italy.
- On 28 June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand (François-Ferdinand) is assassinated in Sarajevo. Through the alliances, the conflict becomes European, then worldwide.
- The war is declared in August 1914. From August to November 1914, the war of movement stops the German advance at the Battle of the Marne.
- From November 1914 to March 1918, soldiers dig into the trenches. This war is long and exhausting for the "Poilus".
- In April 1917, the United States enters the war alongside the Triple Entente. In October 1917, the Bolsheviks take power in Russia and form the USSR.
- The war of movement starts again in March 1918. The Armistice is signed on 11 November 1918.
- On 28 June 1919, Clemenceau signs the Treaty of Versailles with Lloyd George, Orlando and Woodrow Wilson. This treaty ends the war.
Words to know
- the Triple Entente (La Triple Entente)
- It is the alliance of France, the United Kingdom and Russia.
- the Triple Alliance (La Triple Alliance)
- It is the alliance of the German and Austro-Hungarian empires and Italy.
- war of movement (guerre de mouvement)
- It is a strategy of rapid movement, used from August to November 1914.
- trenches (tranchées)
- From November 1914 to March 1918, soldiers dig into the trenches to defend themselves.
- Poilus
- It is the name given to the soldiers of trench warfare.
- the Armistice (L'Armistice)
- It is an agreement between the two alliances, signed on 11 November 1918.
- Treaty of Versailles (traité de Versailles)
- It is the treaty of 28 June 1919 that ends the First World War.
- Bolsheviks (bolcheviks)
- They take power in Russia in October 1917 and form the USSR.
Test yourself: 3 questions
When is the Armistice signed?
In French, the language of the exam: Quand l'Armistice est-il signé ?
The Armistice, an agreement between the two alliances, is signed on 11 November 1918.
Which countries form the Triple Entente?
In French, the language of the exam: Quels pays forment la Triple Entente ?
The Triple Entente brings together France, the United Kingdom and Russia.
Which battle stops the German advance in 1914?
In French, the language of the exam: Quelle bataille stoppe l'avancée allemande en 1914 ?
From August to November 1914, the war of movement stops the German advance at the Battle of the Marne.
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More in this topic (World conflicts and the new world order)
- The First World War (1914-1918): the consequences
- World conflicts: the Second World War (1939-1945) (2/3)
- World conflicts: the Second World War (1939-1945) (3/3)
Source
Sheet “La Première Guerre mondiale (1914-1918) : le contexte” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.