50 Powerful Photos Capturing the Tragedy of World War I

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World War I (1914-1918) was a global conflict primarily between the Allied Powers (including France, the UK, Russia, and later the US) and the Central Powers (mainly Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire). The war began due to a complex web of alliances, nationalism, militarism, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. It was characterized by trench warfare, massive loss of life, and technological advancements in weaponry.

The war ended with the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, which imposed harsh penalties on Germany and redrew the map of Europe, setting the stage for World War II.

These powerful photos from an album of World War I-related photos in the William Okell Holden Dodds fonds. Brigadier General Dodds joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1914 and was commanding officer of the 5th Canadian Division Artillery and served in France from 1917-1918. He passed away on August 25, 1934.