Austria's Alliance With Germany: The World War I Impact

Before World War I, the major European powers were divided into two large alliance blocs: the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente. The Triple Alliance was composed of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, while the Triple Entente was made up of the United Kingdom, France, and Russia. When the war broke out in 1914, Austria-Hungary, as part of the Central Powers, was allied with Germany and fought against the Triple Entente, which had expanded to include Serbia, Belgium, Montenegro, and Britain's colonies such as Canada and Australia.

The Triple Alliance

The alliance was formed to preserve the status quo in Europe after German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck unified Germany in 1871. Each member promised mutual support in the event of an attack by any other great power. The treaty provided that Germany and Austria-Hungary were to assist Italy if it was attacked by France without provocation. In turn, Italy would assist Germany if attacked by France. In the event of a war between Austria-Hungary and Russia, Italy promised to remain neutral.

The alliance was not without its issues, however. Italy and Austria-Hungary had conflicting objectives in the Adriatic and Aegean seas. Italian nationalists referred to Austrian-held territories as 'lost territories', making the alliance highly controversial. Despite being a part of the Triple Alliance, Italy remained neutral at the start of World War I and later joined the side of the Allied Powers.

The Central Powers

Despite Italy being a member of the Triple Alliance, it remained neutral at the beginning of World War I. However, Italy eventually joined the opposing side, the Allies, in 1915. This was due to the Entente powers offering Italian-speaking territories that were annexed by the Austro-Hungarian Empire in previous wars, in exchange for Italy's help in defeating Austria-Hungary.

The Triple Entente

At the start of World War I in 1914, all three Triple Entente members entered the war as Allied Powers against the Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria. On September 4, 1914, the Triple Entente issued a declaration stating that they would not conclude a separate peace and would only demand terms of peace agreed upon by all three parties.

The formation of the Triple Entente and the complex network of alliances in Europe prior to World War I is a subject of debate among historians, who continue to discuss the importance of the alliance system as one of the causes of the war.

The Pact of London

The agreement included promises of Italian territorial expansion against Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire, as well as colonial enlargement in Africa. Specifically, Italy was promised Trentino, southern Tyrol, northern Dalmatia, and other territories. In return, Italy pledged to enter the war within a month and open a new front in the Alps against Austria-Hungary.

Despite the opposition of most Italians, who favoured neutrality, Italy declared war against Austria-Hungary in May 1915, fulfilling its pledge under the Pact of London. However, Italy waited a year before declaring war on Germany, leading to resentment from France and the UK.

The results of the Pact of London had significant political consequences, both during and after the war. The agreement's promises of territorial gains for Italy were only partially fulfilled, leading to a sense of national grievance and fuelling the rise of Italian fascism. The treaty also contributed to simmering tensions between Serbia, Montenegro, and their southern neighbour, Albania, as Serbia and Montenegro tried and failed to seize land they considered rightfully owed to them.

The US as an 'Associated Power'

The US joined the Allied Powers in World War I in April 1917, declaring war on Germany. However, the US entered the war as an "associated power" rather than a formal ally of France and the UK. This was done to avoid "foreign entanglements".

The US's involvement in the war was significant, sending over a million troops to Europe. The US's entry into the war was a result of Germany's resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare against Atlantic shipping. This was a significant threat to the US as German U-boats attempted to cut the supply lines between North America and Britain. This threat was lessened in 1917 when merchant ships began travelling in convoys, escorted by destroyers.

The US's participation in the war was not limited to the battlefield. Women, including many who had never worked outside the home before, took on jobs in factories producing supplies needed for the war effort. They also served in ambulance corps and the American Red Cross at home and abroad. Children were also enlisted to sell war bonds and plant victory gardens.

The US's involvement in the war had a significant impact on the culture of the nation. The postwar years saw a wave of civil rights activism for equal rights for African Americans, the passage of an amendment securing women's right to vote, and a larger role in world affairs for the United States.

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