World War I also known as “€The Great War”€™ was one of two world wars that have
taken place so far. It lasted four years, and has changed the world in a way one would have
never thought was possible. It changed the lives of many people and will never be
forgotten. Nationalism was one of the long term causes that lead up to the war, as was the
Balkan Wars, but the killing of Archduke Ferdinand was the final straw. The European
continent was split into alliances. Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy were in an alliance
known as the Triple Alliance while Britain, France, and Russia were in the Triple Entente.
At the time the U.S. decided to stay neutral but ended up joining the war thanks to
Germany. The war didnt end well for Germany. They were forced to pay for the war and
couldnt make or trade military weapons. The blame was put on Germany. They were
accused of starting the war which is debatable. In this research paper I will give you two of
the reasons for Germanys involvement in WWI, why Russia opposed Germanys reason for
being in the war, and my take on the involvement both countries had on the war.
Germany
Allies
One of the major reasons that Germany got involved in Austria-Hungarys “€affairs”€™
was because of its alliance with Austria-Hungary. If Germany didnt have an alliance with
them a complete blown out war may have not happened. None the less Germany was
excited to start the war once they knew thats where they were headed. Some people were
more excited than others, even knowing that winning a world war was zero to none. Little
did the excited Germans know what was in stored for them. This quote shows what
someone saw when looking at the some time after the war started. “Their faces coated with
dust, their uniforms in rags, looking like living scare crows. They march with their eyes
closed, singing in chorus so that they shall not fall asleep”€¦It is only the delirium of
victory that sustains our men”€ (3). This quote shows that they have been in the war for
awhile. Their uniforms arent the same; the soldiers dont look the same. They”€™re
singing songs just to try and stay awake. Due to the fact that Germany entered the war
because of its alliance with Austria-Hugary it can be said the Germany was the gasoline.
