The Greater German Empire, better known as Germany, is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy located in Central Europe. After becoming unified in the wake of its defeat in the Franco-Prussian War to better bulwark against future French aggression, the German Empire grew in power and might throughout the late 19th century, eventually becoming one of Europe's four "great powers," along with France, Britain, and Russia. In the First World War (1913-1917) the "Central Powers" of Germany, Britain, Austria and the United States defeated the "Grand Alliance" of France, Russia, Italy, Spain, Mexico and the Confederate States of America. In the interwar period, Germany eclipsed Britain as the world's largest economy, although it was hit hard by the Great Depression.