1. Causes of WWI Entangling Alliances

2. Otto von Bismarck started the trend of creating alliances allied with Austria then turned on Austria through an alliance with France and Italy then turned on France so he could have a common enemy (to unite Germany)

3. The Triple Alliance The Triple Alliance was signed in 1881 between Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy They all agreed to help each other if France attacked any of them They also agreed to provide military assistance if one of them was in a battle with two or more enemies Italy made a secret treaty with France after joining the Triple Alliance

4. The Triple Entente The Triple Entente was created as a reaction to the Triple Alliance. It included Britain, France, and Russia France and Russia made an alliance in 1894 Britain joined in 1904 with the help of Sir Edwin Grey

6. 1. Austria-Hungary Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia on July 28th, 1914.

7. 2. Russia Russia has an alliance with Serbia (because they are both Slavic) So, Russia declares a mobilization of forces against Austria-Hungary

8. 3. Germany Germany was an ally of Austria-Hungary Germany saw Russia’s mobilization as an act of war So, Germany declares war on Russia on August 1st, 1914.

9. 4. France France had an alliance with Russia France declared war on Germany in defense of Russia So, France was at war with Germany and Austria- Hungary

10. 5. Belgium Germany plows through Belgium to get to France on August 4th 1914 Belgium becomes a victim of war despite being neutral

11. 6. Britain Britain had a loose alliance with France, and felt obligated to get involved. Britain also had a strong (75 year old) alliance with Belgium So, Britain goes to war in defense of Belgium When Britain went to war, all of her colonies (India, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, and South Africa) were enlisted into the war as well

12. 7. Japan Japan had an alliance with Britain So, Japan declared war on Germany on August 23rd, 1914 Austria-Hungaria responded by declaring war on Japan

13. 8. Italy Italy had alliances with both Germany and Austria- Hungary but they used loopholes to avoid joining the war The loophole was that Italy only had to defend Germany and Austria-Hungary if the war was defensive Italy finally joined the war in 1915, but joined the Allied side despite her former alliances.

14. 9. The United States President Woodrow Wilson declared a state of national isolation This isolation lasted until April 6th, 1917 The U.S. entered the war because German submarines were attacking U.S. trading ships