The First World War, the 'original catastrophe of Germany', ended the long 19th century and permanently changed the European state system. The inexplicable outbreak of violence among highly civilized European nations continues to disturb and engage us to this day. It produces immense technical and organizational achievements while pushing the involved and suffering peoples to the brink of endurance. It gives rise to new states and new forms of government; the Austro-Hungarian Empire ceases to exist, the German Empire comes to an end, and a fragile democracy begins. Wolfgang Kruse systematically and comprehensively clarifies the entire complexity of this first global war and explains its impacts on politics and society, describes strategy and warfare, and addresses both the front and the home front. This also makes it clear how lasting its effects have been.