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Europe Map in 1914 (Before World War I)
The map of Europe in 1914 tells a story of empires, alliances and tensions that shaped the modern world. This was Europe's pre-WW1 map: on the eve of World War I, the continent was dominated by four great empires, the German, Austro-Hungarian, Russian and Ottoman, alongside a patchwork of smaller kingdoms and republics. Below: every country and empire, what each one became, the alliance system, and a free quiz to test yourself.
Last updated October 2026
Europe before World War I (pre WW1 map)
On June 28, 1914, the day Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo, Europe was divided between four great empires: the German Empire, Austria-Hungary, the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire. Around them sat independent kingdoms like the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The Balkans, just reshaped by the Balkan Wars, were a patchwork of small states: Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro and the newly independent Albania. Poland, Finland, Czechoslovakia and the Baltic states did not exist yet; all were parts of larger empires.
Then and Now: the 1914 Empires and Today's Countries
Six states on the 1914 map are gone. These are the countries that stand on their land today.
| In 1914 | Today |
|---|---|
| German Empire1871-1918 | GermanyIt also covered western and northern Poland, Alsace and Lorraine (France), Kaliningrad (Russia), the Klaipėda area (Lithuania), North Schleswig (Denmark) and Eupen-Malmedy (Belgium). |
| Austria-Hungary1867-1918 | Austria, Hungary, Czechia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and HerzegovinaIt also covered southern Poland, western Ukraine, Transylvania (Romania), Vojvodina (Serbia), the Bay of Kotor (Montenegro), and Trentino, South Tyrol and Trieste (Italy). |
| Russian Empire1721-1917 | Russia, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine and MoldovaIt also covered central and eastern Poland, plus Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Central Asia outside Europe. |
| Ottoman Empire1299-1922 | Turkey, including East Thrace, its last corner of EuropeIt also covered Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, and western Saudi Arabia and Yemen in the Middle East. |
| United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland1801-1922 | the United Kingdom and Ireland |
| Kingdoms of Serbia and Montenegrountil 1918 | Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Kosovo |
Europe in 1914: An Overview
Why 1914 Matters
The year 1914 marks the end of an era: the last full year of the old European order before World War I shattered it. For nearly a century (1815-1914), Europe had avoided a continent-wide war thanks to a fragile balance of power known as the Concert of Europe. That balance collapsed in the summer of 1914, and the result changed everything: four empires vanished, new nations were born, and the map of Europe was rewritten.
The Beginning of World War I
On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist. This single event triggered a chain reaction: Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia mobilized in Serbia's defense, Germany declared war on Russia and France, and then invaded neutral Belgium, which brought Britain into the war. By early August 1914, most of Europe was at war.
The Political Situation
Europe in 1914 was defined by a rigid alliance system, intense nationalism, imperial competition, and a massive arms race. The continent was divided into two armed camps: the Triple Entente (France, Russia, Britain) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy). The Balkans were Europe's most volatile region, having just emerged from two Balkan Wars. Every major power had a large standing army and war plans ready to execute.
The Major Powers
Germany: The most powerful military and industrial state on the continent, unified in 1871 and led by Kaiser Wilhelm II. Its navy rivaled Britain's, and its army was the most efficient in Europe.
Austria-Hungary: A multi-ethnic empire of 52 million people spanning 11 major nationalities. Weakened by nationalist tensions, it depended heavily on German support.
Russia: The largest empire in Europe, stretching from Poland to the Pacific. Industrializing rapidly but politically unstable, with a population of 170 million.
France: A republic since 1870, still bitter over its loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany in 1871. Allied with Russia and Britain against Germany.
United Kingdom: The world's largest empire and dominant naval power. It maintained a policy of "splendid isolation" until the early 1900s, then aligned with France and Russia.
Italy: A young unified kingdom (1861-1871) seeking great-power status. Despite being in the Triple Alliance, it chose neutrality in 1914 and joined the Entente in 1915.
Ottoman Empire: "The Sick Man of Europe," ruling the Middle East and a small European foothold. It joined the Central Powers in November 1914.
Countries in Europe in 1914
All 26 independent European states in 1914 with capitals, government types and modern status. Countries like Serbia still exist today, but as republics.
| Country / Empire | Capital | Exists Today? |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | London | Yes |
| France | Paris | Yes |
| German Empire | Berlin | No |
| Austria-Hungary | Vienna | No |
| Russian Empire | St. Petersburg | No |
| Ottoman Empire | Constantinople | No |
| Kingdom of Italy | Rome | Yes |
| Spain | Madrid | Yes |
| Portugal | Lisbon | Yes |
| Kingdom of Serbia | Belgrade | Yes |
| Kingdom of Romania | Bucharest | Yes |
| Kingdom of Bulgaria | Sofia | Yes |
| Kingdom of Greece | Athens | Yes |
| Kingdom of Montenegro | Cetinje | Yes |
| Kingdom of Belgium | Brussels | Yes |
| Netherlands | Amsterdam | Yes |
| Switzerland | Bern | Yes |
| Denmark | Copenhagen | Yes |
| Sweden | Stockholm | Yes |
| Norway | Christiania (Oslo) | Yes |
| Luxembourg | Luxembourg City | Yes |
| Albania | Durrës | Yes |
| Andorra | Andorra la Vella | Yes |
| Liechtenstein | Vaduz | Yes |
| Monaco | Monaco | Yes |
| San Marino | San Marino | Yes |
Empires in Europe, 1914
The four great empires that dominated Europe in 1914, plus the smaller kingdoms and republics.
German Empire (1871-1918)
The German Empire was Europe's most powerful industrial and military state. Created in 1871 under Prussian leadership, it was a federal union of 25 kingdoms, grand duchies, duchies, principalities and free cities, plus the imperial territory of Alsace-Lorraine. Prussia, by far the largest state within the empire, comprised about two-thirds of its territory. Germany possessed Europe's strongest army, a rapidly growing navy, and colonies in Africa and the Pacific. Its aggressive foreign policy under Kaiser Wilhelm II was a major cause of WWI tensions.
Austro-Hungarian Empire (1867-1918)
The Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary was a multi-ethnic empire of 52 million people speaking German, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, Polish, Ukrainian, Romanian, Croatian, Serbian, Slovene, and Italian. It was divided into two halves: the Austrian Empire (Cisleithania) and the Kingdom of Hungary (Transleithania), each with its own parliament. Nationalist movements, particularly among Slavs, constantly threatened the empire's stability. Its 1914 ultimatum to Serbia after the Sarajevo assassination triggered the war and ultimately the empire's own dissolution.
Russian Empire (1721-1917)
The Russian Empire was the largest contiguous state in the world, spanning three continents and 22 million square kilometers. Its European territories included modern Russia, Finland, Poland, the Baltic states, Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova. Ruled by Tsar Nicholas II as an absolute monarchy, Russia was rapidly industrializing but politically unstable. Its vast population of 170 million gave it enormous military potential, but its army was poorly equipped and led. The strain of WWI would trigger the Russian Revolution in 1917.
Ottoman Empire (1299-1922)
By 1914, the Ottoman Empire had been in decline for two centuries and was known as "the Sick Man of Europe." It had lost nearly all its Balkan territories in the Balkan Wars (1912-1913), retaining only a small strip of Eastern Thrace around Constantinople. The empire still ruled Anatolia, the Levant, Mesopotamia, and Arabia. It joined the war on Germany's side in November 1914, seeking to recover lost territories. The empire's defeat in 1918 led to its final dissolution and the creation of modern Turkey in 1923.
Other Sovereign States
French Republic: A democratic republic since 1870, with a large colonial empire. Still stung by its 1871 loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany.
Kingdom of Italy: Unified in 1861-1871, it aspired to great-power status. Despite its Triple Alliance membership, it chose neutrality in 1914.
United Kingdom: The world's leading naval and colonial power. Its empire covered a quarter of the globe. Neutral in 1914 regarding continental disputes, but treaty obligations to Belgium brought it into the war.
Spain and Portugal: Both neutral in WWI. Spain had lost its last American colonies in 1898. Portugal became a republic in 1910.
Belgium and Switzerland: Both guaranteed neutrality by international treaties. Germany violated Belgian neutrality in 1914, bringing Britain into the war.
The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway: All remained neutral throughout WWI.
Luxembourg: A grand duchy whose neutrality was violated by Germany in 1914.
The Balkans: Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, and Albania. The region had been reshaped by the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913, with Serbia emerging as a major player.
Major Alliances of 1914
Triple Entente (Allied Powers)
The Triple Entente was built on three agreements: the Franco-Russian Alliance (1892-1894), the Entente Cordiale between France and Britain (1904), and the Anglo-Russian Entente (1907). While not a formal military alliance initially, these agreements bound the three powers together against Germany. During WWI, the Entente became the Allied Powers, eventually joined by Italy (1915), Romania (1916), Greece (1917), and the United States (1917).
Triple Alliance (Central Powers)
The Triple Alliance was a formal military pact signed in 1882 between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, renewed periodically. Italy's participation was always conditional: from the start, Italy said the alliance could never be turned against Britain. When war broke out in 1914, Italy argued the treaty was defensive and that Austria-Hungary had started the war by attacking Serbia, so it remained neutral. In 1915, Italy switched sides entirely, joining the Entente. Germany and Austria-Hungary fought as the Central Powers, joined by the Ottoman Empire (1914) and Bulgaria (1915).
Neutral Countries
Several European countries managed to stay neutral throughout World War I: Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Switzerland's neutrality was a permanent international commitment. The Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands maintained neutrality through diplomatic skill and trade relationships with both sides. Spain remained neutral largely due to its weakened state after the Spanish-American War and internal divisions.
What Europe Looked Like Before World War I
A visual timeline of European borders from unification to the modern day.
1871: German Unification
The German Empire was proclaimed at Versailles, ending decades of fragmented German states. Germany now dominated Central Europe. Italy had already unified (1861-1871). The map of Europe was dominated by six major powers: Britain, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire.
1900: Belle Époque
Europe at the height of its global power. The great empires controlled most of Africa and Asia. The alliance system was in place. Tensions simmered in the Balkans as the Ottoman Empire continued to retreat.
1914: On the Eve of War
The Balkans had been reshaped by two wars (1912-1913). Serbia had doubled in size. Albania was newly independent. The great powers were locked in an arms race. The assassination of Franz Ferdinand on June 28 set the dominoes in motion.
1918: After the Armistice
The German, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, and Ottoman empires had all collapsed. New nations emerged across Central and Eastern Europe. The war had killed 20 million people and redrawn the continent.
1920: Post-WWI Settlement
The Treaty of Versailles (1919) and other Paris peace treaties redrew European borders. Poland was restored. Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia were created. The Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) and Finland gained independence. Austria and Hungary became separate small republics.
Modern Europe (Today)
After two world wars, the Cold War, the fall of the Soviet Union (1991), and the breakup of Yugoslavia (1991-2006), Europe now has over 40 sovereign states. The EU has created a new kind of political union. Compare the 1914 map to today and you'll see a continent transformed: empires replaced by nation-states, borders redrawn repeatedly, and a continent that has learned the cost of its divisions. Test your knowledge of 1914 Europe →
Compare Europe: 1914 vs Today
How Europe has changed since the outbreak of World War I.
| Aspect | 1914 | Today |
|---|---|---|
| Borders | Defined by empires and alliances | Defined by nation-states and EU |
| Number of Countries | 26 (22 without the microstates) | About 44 |
| Major Empires | German, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, Ottoman | None |
| Population | ~460 million | ~740 million |
| Political Systems | Mostly monarchies; only France, Portugal, Switzerland and San Marino were republics | Mostly democratic republics, plus a few constitutional monarchies |
| Major Wars | No war between all the great powers since Napoleon's defeat in 1815 | Two world wars and the Cold War behind it; peace in Western Europe since 1945 |
| Poland | Did not exist | Independent since 1918 |
| Finland | Part of Russian Empire | Independent since 1917 |
| Czechoslovakia | Did not exist | Created 1918, split 1993 into Czechia and Slovakia |
| Balkans | Ottoman remains + new kingdoms | About 10 countries, depending on where you draw the Balkans |
Most Important Historical Events Leading to WWI
Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was shot dead in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a 19-year-old Bosnian Serb nationalist. The assassination was the immediate trigger for World War I. Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia, and when it was partially rejected, declared war on July 28.
The Alliance System
Europe's complex web of alliances turned a local conflict into a world war. The Triple Entente (France, Russia, Britain) faced the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy). When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia mobilized in Serbia's defense. Germany declared war on Russia, then France, then invaded Belgium, which brought Britain in. Within six weeks, all major European powers were at war.
Imperialism
The scramble for colonies in Africa and Asia created intense rivalries between European powers. Germany, unified late, demanded its "place in the sun" and challenged British and French colonial possessions. The Moroccan Crises (1905, 1911) nearly sparked war. Imperial competition fueled naval arms races and poisoned international relations.
Militarism
Europe in 1914 was an armed camp. Germany, France, Russia, and Austria-Hungary all had large standing armies and detailed mobilization plans. The German Schlieffen Plan called for invading France through neutral Belgium. Military leaders had enormous influence on policy. The arms race was particularly intense between Britain and Germany over naval supremacy.
Nationalism
Nationalist movements threatened the existence of multi-ethnic empires. Pan-Slavism (Russia as protector of Slavic peoples) clashed with Austro-Hungarian interests in the Balkans. Serbian nationalism aimed to unite all South Slavs, directly threatening Austria-Hungary. Nationalist tensions in the Balkans were the primary source of pre-war instability.
Printable Map of Europe
To practise today's borders next to the 1914 ones, our printable map of Europe is free to download, blank or labelled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Europe look like before WW1?
Before World War I, Europe was a continent of empires. The German Empire, Austria-Hungary, the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire ruled most of Central and Eastern Europe, so Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Finland and the Baltic states did not exist yet, and all of Ireland was part of the United Kingdom. In the west, the borders of France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the Nordic countries looked much like they do today.
Which countries existed in 1914 but not today?
Four empires: the German Empire, Austria-Hungary, the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire, all gone by 1922. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland split in 1922. The kingdoms of Serbia and Montenegro joined Yugoslavia in 1918 and only became independent again in 2006. The then and now list on this page shows which of today's countries took their place.
How many countries were in Europe in 1914?
Europe had 26 independent states in 1914: 22 larger ones and the four microstates of Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco and San Marino. Two of them, the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire, also stretched far into Asia. Today Europe has about 44 countries.
What countries existed in Europe in 1914?
In 1914, Europe had 26 independent states, several of them empires that no longer exist today. Major powers included the German Empire, Austria-Hungary, the Russian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Smaller states included Serbia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Luxembourg, plus the microstates of Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco and San Marino.
Was Poland independent in 1914?
No, Poland did not exist as an independent country in 1914. Polish territory was partitioned between the German Empire, Austria-Hungary, and the Russian Empire. Poland regained independence on November 11, 1918, after 123 years of foreign rule.
Why did Austria-Hungary disappear?
Austria-Hungary dissolved after World War I in 1918 due to military defeat, nationalist movements, and the collapse of the Habsburg monarchy. Its territory was divided into Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, parts of Yugoslavia and Poland, and Romania gained Transylvania.
Why is the 1914 map of Europe important?
The 1914 map represents the political boundaries of Europe on the eve of World War I, the most transformative conflict in modern history. It shows the great empires (German, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, Ottoman) that dominated the continent before they collapsed, and serves as the baseline for understanding how modern Europe was shaped.
What did Germany look like in 1914?
The German Empire in 1914 was a federal state of 26 parts: 25 states, including the kingdoms of Prussia, Bavaria, Saxony and Württemberg, grand duchies, duchies, principalities and three free cities, plus the imperial territory of Alsace-Lorraine. It controlled territories that are now part of modern Germany, plus Alsace-Lorraine (now in France) and parts of modern Poland.
What empires existed in Europe in 1914?
Four major empires dominated Europe in 1914: the German Empire (1871-1918), the Austro-Hungarian Empire (1867-1918), the Russian Empire (1721-1917), and the Ottoman Empire (1299-1922). Smaller empires included the British Empire (which included the UK, Ireland, and global colonies) and the French colonial empire.
What was the Ottoman Empire in 1914?
By 1914, the Ottoman Empire was often called "the Sick Man of Europe." It had lost most of its Balkan territories in the 1912-1913 Balkan Wars and controlled only a small strip of Eastern Thrace around Constantinople (modern Istanbul). However, it still ruled much of the Middle East and Anatolia.
What changed after World War I?
After WWI, four major empires collapsed (German, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, Ottoman). New countries emerged: Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Austria. Borders were redrawn across Central and Eastern Europe, and Germany lost significant territory.
How has the map of Europe changed since 1914?
Europe has been redrawn multiple times: after WWI (1918-1920), after WWII (1945), during the Cold War (1947-1991), and after the breakup of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia (1991-2006). The number of European countries grew from 26 in 1914 to about 44 today.
Was Italy part of the Triple Alliance or Triple Entente?
Italy was originally part of the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary (signed 1882). However, when WWI broke out in 1914, Italy remained neutral and later joined the Triple Entente in 1915 after the Treaty of London promised territorial gains.
What was Serbia in 1914?
The Kingdom of Serbia was an independent Balkan state that had doubled in size after the Balkan Wars (1912-1913). It was the primary flashpoint for WWI: the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo (then part of Austria-Hungary) by a Bosnian Serb nationalist led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia.
What was the Triple Entente?
The Triple Entente was an alliance between France, Russia, and the United Kingdom formed between 1894 and 1907. It was a counterbalance to the Triple Alliance. During WWI, it formed the core of the Allied Powers, joined by Italy (1915), Romania (1916), Greece (1917), and the United States (1917).
What was the Triple Alliance?
The Triple Alliance was a military pact between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, signed in 1882. It was renewed periodically until 1915 when Italy left to join the Entente. During WWI, the Central Powers consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire (1914), and Bulgaria (1915).
What was Belgium in 1914?
Belgium was a neutral constitutional monarchy in 1914, with its neutrality guaranteed by the 1839 Treaty of London. Germany invaded Belgium on August 4, 1914, as part of the Schlieffen Plan to attack France through neutral territory. This invasion brought Britain into the war due to the treaty.
What was Finland in 1914?
Finland did not exist as an independent country in 1914. It was the Grand Duchy of Finland, an autonomous part of the Russian Empire with its own parliament, currency, and postal service. Finland declared independence on December 6, 1917, after the Russian Revolution.
What was Ireland in 1914?
In 1914, the entire island of Ireland was part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Third Home Rule Act had been passed but was suspended for the duration of WWI. Following the 1916 Easter Rising and the Irish War of Independence, Ireland was partitioned in 1921.
What was Czechoslovakia in 1914?
Czechoslovakia did not exist in 1914. The Czech lands (Bohemia, Moravia) were part of Austria, and Slovakia was part of Hungary within Austria-Hungary. Czechoslovakia declared independence on October 28, 1918, and became a unified republic.
What happened to the Balkans?
The Balkans in 1914 were a region of intense instability. The Balkan Wars (1912-1913) had just ended, with Serbia and Greece gaining significant territory from the Ottoman Empire. The region was a powder keg of competing nationalisms, unresolved borders, and great-power rivalries that directly triggered WWI.
What was the population of Europe in 1914?
Europe had an estimated population of about 460 million people in 1914 (not including Russia east of the Urals). The Russian Empire was the most populous European state (about 170 million), followed by Germany (67 million), Austria-Hungary (52 million), the United Kingdom (46 million), and France (40 million).
Key Takeaways
- →The map of Europe in 1914 was dominated by four great empires: German, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, and Ottoman.
- →26 independent states existed in Europe at the start of World War I, compared to about 44 today.
- →Poland, Finland, Czechoslovakia, and the Baltic states did not exist as independent countries in 1914.
- →The alliance system (Triple Entente vs. Triple Alliance) turned the assassination of Franz Ferdinand into a continental war.
- →After WWI, four empires collapsed and the map of Europe was entirely redrawn, creating the foundation of the modern nation-state system.
- →Compare the 1914 map to modern Europe: the differences in borders, countries, and political systems are profound.
- →Test your knowledge with the Europe 1914 quiz and see if you can match empires to modern countries.
🧠 Test your knowledge of 1914 Europe
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