World War I (abbreviated WWI), also known as the First World War, the Great War, The War of 14-18 (because of its time span), and "The War to End All Wars" (a term used both seriously during the First World War and sarcastically during the Second) was a global military conflict that took place mostly in Europe between 1914 and 1918. It was a total war which left millions dead and helped to shape the modern world.