The First World War (1914 – 1918) began as a result of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian crown. However, this was not an isolated event; instead it took place within a situation of enormous tensions between the different European states following the colonial possessions and the increasing conflicts in the Balkans region.

The Versailles Peace Treaty (1919) represented the end of the war between Germany and the Allies. The Treaty’s various requirements aimed to regulate a series of highly complex aspects which required long negotiation periods. Thus, the agreements did not come into force until 10 January, 1920. The destruction of the empires, the creation of new countries and the imposition of economic and territorial sanctions on the defeated nation were the most controversial aspects of the Treaty, which resulted in a new map of Europe being drawn up.

During the war, communication was of crucial importance. Among the different forms of communication used, the postal service played an important part. Soldiers depended exclusively on postal services to keep in touch with their families. Soldiers could be left waiting for up to a month in the trenches on the front line, waiting to go into combat.

As a result, from this year until 2018, the postal authorities of different countries will be issuing stamps to commemorate these events. Britain’s Royal Mail has already announced that it will be issuing a historic series that will consist of a total of 30 stamps (six issued each year). The first of these will go on sale in July this year.

Among the most important exhibitions, we recommend “Last Post: remembering the First World War”. The exhibition is organised by the British Postal Museum & Archive, and will be held at various museums in England between 5 April and 13 December 2014.

March 21, 2014