The Spark of Belligerence & Conflicts in WW1
Entente Powers (Allied) vs Central Powers
The war was fought by two main sides: the Entente Powers, or 'Allied forces' comprised of Russia, France, Britain (and later the US) and their allies on one side and the Central Powers of Germany, Austro-Hungary, Turkey and their allies on the other. Italy began as a Central power but later switched to the Entente.
Germany vs France-Russia
World War 1 started with the uprising tensions among politicians in the European countries namely, Russia,German,France and many more. They had different ideologies and felt war was coming soon and inevitably erupt in the region and later spread across the globe.
Several countries already had made made plans and safety nets for their country's sovereignity i.e seeking allies and seizing power over other countries. Germany, the earliest country to ever began its offensive campaign would be the start of the epic World War 1.Germany had already made its move.
The imperialistic Germany first invaded France, which was Russia's ally at that time, to erase the French from the picture in order to focus on its main enemy Russia. Here are some of the histories before the major war had started.
• 1839: Guarantee of Belgium Neutrality
• 1867: The Treaty of London: establishes Luxembourg's neutrality.
• 1870: The Franco-Prussian War, in which France is beaten and Paris is besieged.
• 1871: The German Empire is created.
• 1879: The Austro-German Treaty.
• 1882: The Triple Alliance established between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy.
• 1883: The Austro-Romanian Alliance.
• 1888: Wilhelm II becomes Emperor of Germany.
• 1889 - 1913: The Anglo-German Naval Race.
• 1894: The Franco-Russian Alliance.
• 1902: The Franco-Italian Agreement.
• 1904: The Entente Cordial, agreed between France and Britain.
• 1904-5: The Russo-Japanese War, in which Russia loses.
• 1905-6: The First Moroccan Crisis.
• 1907: The Anglo-Russian Agreement.
• 1908: Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia.
• 1909: The Russo-Italian Agreement.
• 1911: The Second Moroccan (Agadir) Crisis.
• 1911 - 12: Turkish-Italian War.
• 1912: Anglo-French Naval Agreement.
• 1912, October 8 - May 30 1913: The First Balkan War.
• 1913 Woodrow Wilson elected as US president.
• 1913, April 30 - May 6: The First Albanian Crisis.
• 1913, June 29 - July 31: The Second Balkan War.
Germany-Austro-Hungary vs Russia-Serbia
Tensions escalated on June 28th 1914 when Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assasinated by a Serbian activist, which was also an ally of Russia.Austro-Hungary seek help from Germany to fend off against the upcoming threats. Germany then declared war on Serbia.Serving the interest of its ally, Russia had to mobilise to cut off Germany. Germany officially declared war on Russia and its French ally. Austro-Hungary invaded Serbia and oppose the Russian resistance.
Germany vs Belgium-France-Britain-Canada
Germany had made a surprise attack on France through Belgium.Germany had intruded neutral Belgium to attack France on August 3rd 1914. Following the attack on France, British wage war against the rallying German forces for invading neutral Belgium. Canada, a close ally to the British have opted to participate in the conflict by sending over 33,000 troops to England.
Japan vs Germany
On 7 August 1914, the Japanese government received an official request from the British government for assistance in destroying the German raiders of the Kaiserliche Marine in and around Chinese waters. Japan sent Germany an ultimatum on 14 August 1914, which was unanswered, and then Japan formally declared war on the German Empire on 23 August 1914.Japanese forces rapidly occupied German territories in the Far East.