Belgium

  • “scrap of paper” – Germany disregarding documents that made Belgium neutral
  • Belgians enter war with TRIPLE ALLIANCE (8/3/1914)

Austria- Hungary

  • Unsatisfied with Serbia’s response to Ultimatum, declare war on Serbia

Russia

  • Bound to Serbia by treat so have to support them

France

  • Tied to Russia by treaty – declare war on A/H and Germany
  • Also: got land taken away by Germany long time ago
  • Result: Germany plans to attack through Belgium

Britain

  • Entante Cordiale with France and 83 year old alliance with Belgium
  • Declare war on Germany

All of Britain’s colonies support

Alliance of 3 emperors

  • A/H, Russia, Germany – bound together to keep revolutionaries calm, no revolt between countries

San Stefano 1878

  • Russia takes over Ottoman Empire and Dardinels
  • G.B. worried about trade

Dual Alliance 1879

  • Ger. And A/H, Italy joins in 1882
  • Bismark is trying to keep peace in Europe and control his region

Congress of Berlin 1875

  • Russia had gained too much land
  • Russia had too much money
  • Russia gained trade posts
  • Bismark, took back land, and money
  • Russia, gets extremely mad
  • Three Emperors League is ended

Italy was upset with France’s land gain 1882

  • Triple Alliance (A/H, Germany, Italy)

William II

  • Thought he was the best (Napoleon like)
  • Dismissed Bismark
  • Wanted to make Germany a powerhouse and take over land – be strong like Britain
  • Turns back on Russia!!! France opened their doors to Russia and gave them everything they needed for war because of what William II did to Russia. France and Russia 1891

Britain

  • Reasons of war:
  • Bound to Belgium by treaty
  • Against Germany & A/H
  • War at Sea
  • Blockade of any goods going to Germany
  • Use navy and trade control
  • German (leader: William II) thinks he is better than British -> bomb ships

1904 Entent Cordiale

  • NOT alliance, but will respect each other
  • Brit. and control of Egypt
  • France and control of Morocco

William II

  • Holds conference in Spain
  • Questioning whats happening in Morocco
  • Wants them to gain independence
  • Spain will join with Britain and France backing their ideas

1905 Russo-Japanese War

  • Brit. is allied with Japan but doesn’t participate in war
  • Russia loses and is weak
  • Britain has two choices
  • Join Russia
  • Let Germany go in and take Russia over

Triple Entent

  • Russia, france, and Britain vs. triple alliance (Germany, A/H, Italy)

Treaty of Versailles

  • US – Wilson (League of Nations)
  • Britain – David Lloyd George
  • France – Clemenceau

8.5 million died

all german colonies surrendered to League of Nations

ban on alliance between Germans and A/H

german accepts guilt

limit german army to 100,000 men, no tanks, airplanes, u-boats

League of Nations – stop any body doing something wrong

US not part of League of Nations – angry congress

Britain not in League of Nations as well

France all alone

Problem: one new leader and Germany can come into power