The Alliance System Leading to Conflict in World War I

Why was Russia drawn into conflict with Germany after Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia?

A. Russia had an alliance with Serbia, and Germany had an alliance with Austria-Hungary.

Background of the Alliance System

The outbreak of World War I was influenced by a complex web of alliances among European nations. These alliances were formed to maintain a balance of power and security in the region. The major alliances that existed before the war were the Triple Entente (France, Russia, and the United Kingdom) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy). Russia's Alliance with Serbia Russia had a strong alliance with Serbia due to cultural and religious ties. Both nations shared Slavic heritage and Orthodox Christian faith, fostering a sense of solidarity. When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia in 1914 following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Russia felt compelled to support its ally. Germany's Alliance with Austria-Hungary On the other hand, Germany was obligated by its alliance with Austria-Hungary to come to its defense. The alliance system created a scenario where conflicts between smaller nations could quickly escalate into larger, international conflicts due to mutual defense pacts. As a result of these alliances, Russia and Germany found themselves on opposing sides of the conflict when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. The intricate web of alliances meant that a regional conflict could quickly spiral into a global war involving major powers.
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