During World War I, Germany was one of the Central Powers, along with Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria. The war began on July 28, 1914, with the German invasion of Belgium and Luxembourg, followed by the French Third Republic. Germany's position was that of a major military power with a strong, well-trained army and navy. On the eastern front, German forces engaged in fierce battles with Russian troops, while on the western front, they confronted British and French armies in trench warfare. Despite early successes, Germany ultimately lost the war due to a combination of factors, including the Allied Powers' blockade, manpower shortages, and the entry of the United States into the conflict. The war ended on November 11, 1918, with the armistice signed between the Allies and Germany, leading to the defeat of the Central Powers and the eventual formation of the League of Nations.