The Central Powers- Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire
By Bobby Frazier and Anja Pelkola
Austria-Hungary
Tensions had been rising throughout Europe, especially in the Balkans. After the assassination of the Archduke, Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the assassination as a way of showing Slavic nationalism. (Austria-Hungary had control over parts of Serbia, and wouldn't allow Serbia to declare independence) Russia supported Serbia, and if intervened, Great Britain and France (Russia’s allies) would back them up. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, and within weeks peace crumbled and World War I had begun.
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| This picture illustrates the complexity of the alliances involved in World War I |
Germany
Germany, led by Kaiser Wilhelm was the most powerful member of the Central Powers. Their military power was unmatched. After recently taking over for the great Otto von Bismarck, Wilhelm declared that he would build a navy to rival that of Great Britain. Aligning themselves with Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire, the hatred of Russia shared between the Ottoman Empire, and Austria-Hungary. Supporting Austria-Hungary quickly resulted in the entirety of Europe sucked into war.
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The leaders of the Central Powers from left to right, Wilhelm of Germany, Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary, Sultan Mehmed V of the Ottoman Empire, Tsar Ferdinand of Bulgaria |
The Ottoman Empire
November 14th, 1914 the Ottoman Empire declares a holy war upon Britain, France, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro. Starting out the war, the Ottoman Empire began losing a lot of territory in Europe. The ottomans navy, which included two German ships, attacked Russian ports in the Black Sea, ultimately causing Turkey to enter the war. Because the Ottomans declared it a holy war, they demanded that Muslim peoples around the world stand up and defend the Empire.
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Map illustrating Europe during the War. Central powers are in red. |
Bulgaria
Bulgaria entered the war, siding with the Central Powers, due to their want to defend themselves against Serbia, and their major ally, Russia. Bulgaria also sided with the Central Powers due to economic reasons, due to these countries were Bulgaria's partner in trade.
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Trench warfare was the prevalent form of combat on the Western Front of the war which was located in France. |
"Bulgaria Enters World War I." History. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bulgaria-enters-world-war-i>.
"Ottoman Empire Declares a Holy War." History. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/
ottoman-empire-declares-a-holy-war>.
http://blsciblogs.baruch.cuny.edu/his1005spring2011/files/2011/03/alliances.png
Reguer, Sara. "World War I." Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East and North Africa. Ed. Philip Mattar. 2nd ed. Vol. 4. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2004. 2365-2368. World History in Context. Web. 18 Mar. 2015.
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