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There are a number of reasons why Germany became involved in WW1. To summarise them they are:

1. From 1900 onwards Germany was a rising Industrial power. It needed outlets for the bulk of its manufactured products. Unfortunately for Germany most of the areas to which it might export, or from which it might obtain raw materials were controlled by Britain.

2. The British navy at that time ensured that no predator could impinge on its contacts.

3. realising that the only way for Germany to expand into world markets or obtain a 'place in the sun' i.e to have some leverage at international diplomatic meetings was to CHALLENGE BRITAIN.

4. The challenge could only be mounted if Germany could outstrip British NAVAL STRENGTH. Hence in 1904 with the passage of a naval Bill, the race began to outbuild the British Navy. The Germans were not successful in this.

5. The Germans believed that because of the 'alliances' that Britain had with France and Russia in particular, that Germany was being encircled. It thus sought to offset this by an alliance with Austria Hungary.

6. When the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire was assassinated in Sarajevo by a Serb Nationalist this provided the key to the German involvement in WW1 as follows:

a) Eventually Austria Hungary declared war on Serbia, A SLAV NATION.

b) Serbia appealed to Russia (THE SO CALLED PROTECTOR OF THE SLAVS) for help

c) Russia, uncertain of its prowess to defeat Austria Hungary, appealed to France for help. This was granted, especially as Russia owed France a great deal of money.

d) with this coalition against it Austria Hungary appealed to Germany, who in order to maintain the confidence of its ally, agreed to fight alongside Austria Hungary should it come to all out war.

e) Germany was not certain of i. the extent that Britain would commit to all out war ii. that Britain would be able to survive an all out war against the Central Powers.

Finally, the outcome would settle once and for all the German ability to expand into foreign markets if it could defeat the British navy.

One might say, therefore, that Germany willingly allowed itself to drift iinto war, inspired by the boastings of the Kaiser and the German Military Commanders.

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