Almost forgotten in Russia the First World War in its centenary year for unclear reasons turned into a subject of unexpectedly high priority; it propagated as the «Great war»; monuments erected and exhibitions under the patriotic slogans and prayer services organized. Someone called it a war, allegedly prevented some free peoples’ enslavement. Besides, they did not lead any evidences in favour, limited to portraits of the last emperor of Russia, and episodes from newsreels. According to the author, all of this has little to do with the reality. The article describes the author’s understanding of the causes and nature of the First World War.