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Synopsis

World War I or the Great War was a global war fought between the Allies and the Central Powers that lasted from 1914 to 1918 A.D.

1914[]

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand[]

On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and his wife, Sophie, were assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia, by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the nationalist organization Young Bosnia. Motivated by the desire to achieve South Slavic independence from Austro-Hungarian rule, Gavrilo, along with other members, sought to advance their nationalist agenda through the assassination of Archduke. On that fateful day, as the Archduke and his wife were traveling through the streets of Sarajevo on an official visit, Gavrilo seized the opportunity and fatally shot both of them.[2] Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Due to various treaties Germany allied with Austria-Hungary while Russia aided Serbia; in turn, France was pledged to defend Russia. Britain attempted to remain outside the conflict, but when Germany invaded Belgium to flank France's border defences, the Britain joined the war to honor arrangements with Belgium. By July 28, the conflict, which would eventually be known as World War I, the Great War and the War to End all Wars, had begun.[3]

Savage Wolverine Vol 1 21 Textless

Logan in the Trenches

World War I was fought primarily in Europe in the Eastern Front (territories around Russia's western border) and Western Front (territories around France's eastern border). However, the empires' colonies around the world were also brought into the conflict; notably, Canada, Australia and New Zealand of the Commonwealth all sent soldiers to support the UK, including the Canadian mutant Logan (James Howlett)[4] and the young man who would become Night Raven;[5] Canadian soldier Ernest St. Ives gained superhuman powers during the conflict, becoming Deadly Earnest.[6] Initially, it was thought the war would be a brief affair, but it extended from weeks to months to years. Over time, Turkey and Bulgaria joined the Central Powers while Italy and Japan joined the Allies.

US citizen Karl Kaufman, an excellent aviator, longed to fight with the Allies, but his parents lived in Germany and he feared reprisals; instead, he became the masked hero Phantom Eagle to defend the US coast and soon journeyed overseas to battle the Central Powers.[7] Englishman John Falsworth became a traitor to his country after the vampire lord Dracula turned Falsworth into the vampire Baron Blood. Compelled by Dracula to wage war on the UK, Baron Blood allied with the Germans and clashed against his brother, Montgomery, Lord Falsworth, the costumed hero Union Jack. Union Jack also served in the wartime group of Allied masked heroes Freedom's Five alongside Phantom Eagle, Crimson Cavalier of France and Sir Steel and Silver Squire of the UK. Another UK hero was Albion (Peter Hunter).[8]

1915[]

On May 7, 1915, the RMS Lusitania was struck by a torpedo fired by the German U-Boat. Witnessing the passengers scrambling for their lives, the aquatic Inhuman; Triton tried to save who he could.[9]

1916[]

In 1916, Baron Strucker encountered the Momentary Princess, which was fated to appear and disappear at regular intervals of time. When he touched it, and saw his future as he became the leader of the Hydra.[10]

1917[]

In 1917, the Communist government removed Russia from the Allies after the Russian Revolution.[citation needed]

Germans declared unrestricted submarine warfare in 1917, taking the lives of US citizens while combating the UK fleets, the US entered the war as one of the Allies. The US' entry into the war led to soldiers such as Isaac Christians, Daniel J. Whittier, James Fletcher, and Jack Fury joining the fight,[11] along with the costumed hero Iron Fist (Orson Randall).[citation needed]

The US super-soldier John Steele fought on the Western Front, only to be captured by the Germans.[12] The Spirit of Vengeance, Ghost Rider, was also incarnated during WWI with an airplane as his vehicle of choice; he fought the creature Verminus Rex on the Western Front.[13]

Certain long-lived figures such as the Neanderthal man Cole,[14] Ulysses Bloodstone,[citation needed] and Walter Destine also participated in the war.[citation needed]

1918[]

In 1918, the Allies finally began driving the Germans from France, and the Central Powers were unable to absorb the mounting casualties. Peace was declared November 11, 1918.

1919[]

On June 28 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed at the Palace of Versailles. It was the most important of the peace treaties that brought the war to an end.[15]

Legacy[]

Under the direction of the Allies, Austria and Hungary were split into separate nations and their shared monarchies dissolved; the nation of Poland was also created, largely from German territory. Viewing the terms of their surrender humiliating, forced to cede territory, accept all blame for the war and pay massive reparations, led to lasting resentment in Germany, which aided the WWI veteran Adolf Hitler's rise to power, and ultimately led to World War II. John Steele remained in German custody until World War II; between the wars his physique was analyzed, ultimately inspiring various Super-Soldier programs. World War I was also witnessed by various time travelers, including the Hulk and Baron Helmut Zemo.[16][17]

See Also

Links and References

References

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