The Road to World War I
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Europe is a small continent. The countries of Europe had no where to expand in 1914. Germany especially wanted to make a bigger place for itself in the world. At this time the leader of Germany was Kaiser Wilhelm II. He thought of making Germany the ruler of all Europe. |
Russia was the largest nation of Europe. Its ruler was Czar Nicholas II. Nicholas was a weak ruler.
France had been beaten by Germany in the War of 1871. France had to give two parts of her nation, Alsace and Lorraine, to Germany. This caused the French to hate the Germans.
Germany though the French might attack her so Germany formed an alliance with Italy and Austria-Hungary. In an alliance one nation helps another in time of war. France knew of this alliance and made an alliance with England and Russia. Soon nation after nation joined one alliance or the other for their protection.
| One of President Wilson's close advisors, Colonel William House, visited Europe. He told Wilson that war was close. |
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The event that started the war took place in Austria-Hungary. This was the home of many peoples - Austrians, Czechs, Hungarians, Poles, Serbs, and others.
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A large group of Czechs and Serbs wanted to break away and form their own country. On June 28, 1914 Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was visiting the town of Sarajevo in Bosnia. Ferdinand was next in line to rule the empire. Ferdinand and his wife were riding through the streets of the city when they were shot by a Serb who wanted to free Bosnia from the empire. The empire declared war on Serbia. |
Russia sent troops to help Serbia. Germany sent troops to help Austria-Hungary. France joined Russia against Germany. Germany declared war on France. To attack France the German troops had to move through Belgium. England declared war on Germany for attacking Belgium.
The war was between two groups.
| Allies | Central Powers |
| Belgium | Austria-Hungary |
| England | Bulgaria |
| Russia | Germany |
| France | Turkey |
| Italy | |
| other small nations |
