The international conflict that took place between 1914 and 1918 is World War I. Triggered by a complex interplay of alliances, militarism, imperialism, and nationalism, the war began after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. It involved many of the world's great powers, divided into two major alliances: the Allies and the Central Powers. The conflict saw unprecedented levels of destruction and introduced new military technologies such as trench warfare and chemical weapons. Millions of soldiers and civilians lost their lives, and the war fundamentally reshaped global politics. The Treaty of Versailles, which formally ended the war, imposed significant reparations on Germany and set the stage for future conflicts, including World War II.