The First World War

28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918

The reasons for the start of World War 1 was the need for the world empires to protect themselves from each other. There was an alliance called the triple entente, between the United Kingdom, France and Russia, and opposing the central powers or triple alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy.

The heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne was assassinated it was assumed the country of Serbia was behind it. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Serbia had an alliance with Russia, who declared war on Austria-Hungary. Germany seeing the build up of Russian armies declared war on Russia. France being allied to Russia declared war on Germany and therefore Austria-Hungary. Germany by invading France via Belgium brought the United Kingdom into the conflict not only due to the fact of the triple entente but had vowed to protect neutral Belgium. When the United Kingdom declared war, they also had the support of Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and the union of South Africa.