The Triple Entente was originally between France, Great Britain and Russia. Italy and Romania joined in 1915, along with Greece in 1917.
The opposition to this, was known as the Triple Alliance. This alliance was between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy. The Ottoman Empire (Turkey) was a part alongside. Bulgaria joined the Triple Alliance later in 1915.
Countries formed these alliances for protection and security - allied countries are formally united and worked together to prevent war. In the case of war, allied countries would 'stick up for each other'; if one was endangered, their allies would be drawn to war to help.
Neutral countries in 1914 included: Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
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Germany and The Schlieffen Plan
It is evident that Germany feared a 'war on two fronts'.
The Schlieffen Plan was the German army's plan for war against France and Russia. It was created by the German Chief of Staff 'Alfred von Schlieffen'.
It was an operational plan for a designated attack on France once Russia had started to mobilise her forces near the German border.
The execution of the Schlieffen Plan led to Britain declaring war on Germany on the 4th of August, 1914.
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The Assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinard
Serbian terrorists 'The Black Hand' assassinated the Archduke of Austria over the expansio into Bosnia.
As a result, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia - Russia opposed this; and believed it was unfair on the Slavs. The Tsar of Russia mobilised the Russian army.
In response, Germany launched the Schlieffen Plan and invaded Belgium. Great Britain declared war on Germany.
The assassination of a single man, lead to a total war.
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