[पीयूष अग्रवाल]

Question 1 : Which country made the first declaration of war and why?

Answer : The First World War, also known as World War I, was primarily triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo, Bosnia on June 28, 1914. The first country to make a formal declaration of war in this conflict was Austria-Hungary.

After the assassination, Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia, holding them responsible for the assassination and demanding compliance with certain conditions. When Serbia did not fully meet Austria-Hungary’s demands, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. This declaration set off a chain reaction of alliances and declarations of war among other countries, eventually leading to the involvement of numerous nations and the escalation of the conflict into a global war, known as World War I.

Question 2 : What is the cause for Ottoman Empire to enter the war ?

Answer :

The Ottoman Empire entered World War I on the side of the Central Powers (which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and later the Ottoman Empire itself). There were several factors that led to the Ottoman Empire’s involvement in the war:

1. Territorial Ambitions: The Ottoman Empire had territorial ambitions in the Balkans and the Caucasus region. They sought to regain territories that they had lost in previous conflicts and expand their influence in the region.

2. Pan-Islamism: The Ottoman Empire was motivated by a sense of pan-Islamism, which aimed to unite Muslims worldwide under Ottoman leadership. They saw an opportunity to rally Muslims against their European adversaries, particularly Russia.

3. Alliance with Germany: The Ottoman Empire had developed a close relationship with Germany through military, economic, and political cooperation. Germany provided military training, equipment, and financial assistance to the Ottoman Empire, which contributed to their decision to join the war on the side of the Central Powers.

4. The Caucasus Front: The Ottoman Empire had long-standing conflicts with Russia over territorial disputes in the Caucasus region. By entering the war, the Ottomans hoped to gain an advantage against Russia and secure their territorial claims in the area.

It’s important to note that the Ottoman Empire’s decision to enter the war was complex and influenced by multiple factors. Their involvement in the war had significant consequences, including the disintegration of the empire and the emergence of modern-day Turkey.