Why did Great Britain get into World War 1?

Answer 1

Britain entered WW1 in the defense of Belgium and in reaction to Germany's violation of The Treaty of London (1839), in which Belgium's neutrality was to be respected by all nations. June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand (who was next in line for the Austrian throne) and his wife Sophie were both assassinated while on a visit to Serbia. War was declared between Serbia and Austria (because a Serb killed what was basically Austria's equivalent of Prince Charles). Anyway, Austria (also called Austro-Hungary) had signed a treaty, along with Germany and Italy (called the Triple Alliance), saying that if one of them went to war against another country, that the rest of them would go to war. On the other hand, there was another set of three countries which had signed ANOTHER treaty, called the Triple Entente. These countries were Britain, France and Russia. Russia was a supporter of tiny little Serbia, and so when the Triple Alliance declared war on Serbia, Russia became involved, and that is the way France and Britain became involved. Britain used to own almost half of the countries in the world, so when Britain went to war, so did they example: Australia, New Zealand, India etc.

different perspective

Because Russia, Britain and France had an alliance called the Triple Entente. When Austria-Hungary invaded Serbia following the assassination of the heir-apparent to the throne of Austria-Hungary (Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria) Russia joined in to help Serbia per a separate agreement. Germany, an ally of Austria-Hungary, then declared war on Russia and France and began to move troops through the neutral sovereign state of Belgium to attack France. The British were not obliged to help the French in the event of war and did declare war when German forces invaded Belgium on August 4 1914. Britain ordered Germany to withdraw immediatly from Belgium, Germany refused and The United Kingdom declared war on Germany on the afternnoon of August 4, 1914. The Treaty of London in 1937 meant that the sovereignty of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg was guaranteed. In the event of a major European Power invading it, Britain was obliged to help defend the small nations and on August 4, when Germany executed the Schlieffen plan via Belgium and Luxembourg Britain honoured the Treaty and declared war on Germany.

Answer 2

It's like a chain reaction, Serbians assasinated the ArchDuke of Austria-Hungary; Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Austria was angered at the Serbs and decided to take action on them. Serbia and Bosnia were allies with Russia, and Russia was a member of the "triple entente" which included France, Britain and Russia. Basically, Britain only joined the war because it was allies with Russia. They fought against the "Triple Alliance" which consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy.

This is based off what I remember from history class, hope it helps.

Answer 3

Germany invaded Belgium in order to march into France.

Answer 4

England entered World War 1 because Germany attacked Belgium, a country that she was pleged to defend and she entered it in 1914.

Answer 5

Ostensibly to defend Belgium's Neutrality.

Answer 6

Britain had a treay with Belgium that stated Britain would defend Belgian neutrality. When Germany invaded Belgium, it met the requirements of British involvment in the treaty.

Answer 7

Most of the countries in World War I joined because of a series of alliances. So when one country is sucked into the war, their allies are too.