Overview
The First Wizarding War was a catastrophic eleven-year conflict (1970—1981) that tore through Wizarding Britain. Initiated by Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters, the war was waged to overthrow the existing magical order and establish pure-blood supremacy. It was, by all accounts, far more devastating than the Second Wizarding War that followed---longer in duration, higher in casualties, and more deeply scarring to the fabric of magical society.
As Sirius Black once described it: “Imagine that Voldemort’s powerful now. You don’t know who his supporters are… Terror everywhere. Panic, confusion.”
Pre-War Buildup
The roots of the war stretch back decades before the first open hostilities:
- 1939: Tom Riddle formed the Knights of Walpurgis while still a student at Hogwarts, gathering like-minded pure-blood supremacists around him.
- During and after Hogwarts: Riddle created multiple Horcruxes, fragmenting his soul to achieve immortality.
- Twice denied: Albus Dumbledore refused Riddle the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts professor on two occasions.
- 1961—1971: Riddle disappeared from public life entirely, delving deeper into the darkest forms of magic.
- Upon his return: He reformed his followers under a new name---the Death Eaters---and began openly recruiting.
- 1971—1973: Voldemort recruited giants, werewolves, dementors, and acromantulas to his cause, building an army of dark creatures alongside his human followers.
Key Events
The war was marked by escalating terror and an atmosphere of pervasive dread:
- Voldemort attacked the Ministry of Magic directly, demonstrating that no institution was safe.
- Death Eaters systematically targeted Muggle-borns and so-called “blood traitors,” casting the Dark Mark---a skull with a serpent---over the scenes of their murders to spread maximum terror.
- Dumbledore founded the Order of the Phoenix in 1971 to resist Voldemort’s forces.
- Minister for Magic Eugenia Jenkins was ousted in 1975, replaced by Harold Minchum, who took a harder line.
- Bartemius Crouch Sr. rose through Ministry ranks and authorized Aurors to use lethal force and even Unforgivable Curses against suspected Death Eaters.
- Severus Snape graduated from Hogwarts in 1978 and joined the Death Eaters, eventually becoming one of Voldemort’s most trusted followers.
- Regulus Black discovered Voldemort’s Horcrux in 1979 and attempted to destroy Slytherin’s Locket, dying in the effort.
- Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom were born in late July 1980---both fitting The Prophecy foretold by Sybill Trelawney.
- Snape overheard part of the Prophecy and reported it to Voldemort, then immediately regretted it when he realized it endangered Lily Evans.
- James and Lily Potter went into hiding using the Fidelius Charm, with Peter Pettigrew as their Secret Keeper.
- Pettigrew betrayed them to Voldemort.
The Order of the Phoenix
The Order served as the primary resistance against Voldemort’s forces. Its members included:
- Albus Dumbledore (founder)
- Aberforth Dumbledore
- Arabella Figg
- Alice and Frank Longbottom
- Mundungus Fletcher
- Rubeus Hagrid
- Fabian and Gideon Prewett
- Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody
- Kingsley Shacklebolt
- James and Lily Potter
- Sirius Black
- Remus Lupin
- Peter Pettigrew (later revealed as a traitor)
Major Losses
The war exacted a terrible toll. Among the Order’s dead were Marlene McKinnon and her entire family, Edgar Bones and his family, Fabian and Gideon Prewett, Dorcas Meadowes (killed personally by Voldemort), Caradoc Dearborn, and Benjy Fenwick. Countless others---named and unnamed---perished on both sides.
The End of the War
On October 31, 1981, Lord Voldemort went to Godric’s Hollow and murdered James and Lily Potter. When he turned his wand on their infant son Harry, the Killing Curse rebounded. Voldemort’s physical form was destroyed, and the war ended as suddenly as it had begun.
The wizarding world erupted in celebration, but the scars ran deep. Families had been torn apart, entire bloodlines extinguished, and the trust between neighbors and friends had been shattered by years of suspicion and betrayal. The peace that followed was fragile, and the wounds of the First Wizarding War would take generations to heal.