Imperialism: Before World War I, Africa and parts of Asia were points of contention among the European countries because of their raw materials.Thus, there were two rival groups in Europe.įig: Alliances at the beginning of the War.The Triple Entente, which was made up of Britain, France, and Russia, concluded by 1907.The Triple Alliance-1882 linking Germany with Austria-Hungary and Italy.These treaties meant that if one country was attacked, allied countries were bound to defend them. Mutual Defense Alliances: Countries throughout Europe made mutual defence agreements.Germany was seen as a threat by the other powers and destabilized the international situation. The new international expansionist policy of Germany: In 1890 the new emperor of Germany, Wilhelm II, began an international policy that sought to turn his country into a world power.The war happened because of several different events that took place in the years building up to 1914. There was no single event that led to World War I. The main members of the Central Powers were Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.The United States also fought on the side of the Allies after 1917. The main members of the Allied Powers were France, Russia, and Britain.WW I was fought between the Allied Powers and the Central Powers.World War I (WW I), also known as the Great War, lasted from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918.