Sea

Jutland Imperialism and its Onslaught were turned down by Austria. Britain tried to localise the war. On July Austria declared war on Serbia and bombarded Belgrade. Even as Russia was mobilising forces to intervene in support of Serbia, Germany struck first.

It declared war on Russia and its ally France on August. Britain was against involving itself in the War. But on August, an appeal came from the King of Belgium asking for British help. Belgium was not on the side of the Allies.

Yet it was invaded by Germany. The German violation of Belgian neutrality was viewed seriously. It had been the age-long policy of Britain that the Belgian coast should not be in the hands of any adjacent Great Powers, which might use those shores as a basis for invasion. So in pursuance of this principle of national security Britain now decided to fight Germany.

On August an ultimatum was served on Germany demanding its immediate withdrawal from Belgian soil. On August Britain and Germany were at war. (c) Course of the War War Spreads Following Britain’s plunge into the war other nations were quickly drawn into the conflict. Montenegro joined with the Serbia on August in fighting Austria.

Two weeks later the Japanese declared war on Germany, with the intention of conquering German possessions in the Far East. In October Turkey began the bombardment of Russian ports in the Black Sea. Italy maintained neutrality until May , but was dragged into the war on the side of Triple Entente powers, with the promise of Austrian and Turkish territories.