The major global conflict initiated by the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand in 1914 was World War I. His assassination in Sarajevo set off a series of political crises and alliances that resulted in a titanic clash between the Central Powers, including Germany and Austria-Hungary, and the Allied Powers, such as France, the United Kingdom, and Russia. The war escalated quickly, leading to unprecedented levels of destruction and loss of life. The conflict reshaped borders, economies, and ideologies around the globe and ultimately set the stage for significant political changes, including the rise of totalitarian regimes.