The global conflict primarily fought over territory and sparked by the assassination of a key figure was World War I. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in June 1914 triggered a series of alliances and military mobilizations, ultimately leading to a full-scale war involving many nations. The conflict was characterized by trench warfare, technological advancements in weaponry, and immense loss of life. It shifted political power dynamics and resulted in significant territorial changes across Europe and beyond. The war ended in 1918, setting the stage for social upheaval and the subsequent rise of totalitarian regimes and World War II.