east Italy, where Italians lived in majority but remained as part and parcel of Austria- Hungary, was not supported by Germany. Italy remained a neutral country when the War broke out. But it decided to enter the War hoping to gain the territory in the north - east. Britain, France and Italy signed the secret Treaty of London in April , by which Italy agreed to enter the War against the Central Powers in return for this territory after the War.
Outbreak of World War I and Its Aftermath Allies Nine states that opposed the Central powers were: Russia, France, Britain, Italy, the United States, Belgium, Serbia, Romania and Greece. Romania and Greece declared war on the Central Powers in and respectively but played a little part in the war. Most Americans wanted their country to remain neutral and so in the first three years the United States gave only moral support and valuable material aid to Britain and France. Tsar’s Abortive Attempts for Peace Tsar Nicholas II of Russia suggested to the Powers that they meet together to bring about an era of universal peace.
In response, two Peace Conferences were held at The Hague in Holland in and but in vain. War in Western or French Front Germany steamrolled and smashed the resistance of the people of Belgium. On the side of the Allies, the burden of the fighting fell on the French army. Within a month Paris seemed almost doomed.
Battles of Tannenberg and Marne Meanwhile Russian forces invaded East Prussia. In the battle of Tannenberg Russia suffered heavy losses. Germany defeated them decisively. At the Battle of the Marne (early September ), the French succeeded in pushing back the Germans.
Paris was thus saved. The battle of Marne is a memorable for trench warfare. Battle of Tannenberg Battle of Verdun Between February and July , the Germans attacked Verdun, the famous fortress in the French line. In the five-month Battle of Verdun two million men took part and half of them