When and why did Britain become involved in World War 1?

Answer 1

Britain entered WW1 in the defense of Belguim and in reaction to Germany's violation of The Treaty of London(1839), in which Belguim's neutrality was to be respected by all nations.

On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand (who was next in line for the Austrian throne) and his wife Sophie were both assassinated while on a visit to Serbia. War was declared between Serbia and Austria (because a Bosnian Serb - named Gavrilo Princip - killed what was basically Austria's equivalent of Prince Charles). Anyway, Austria (also called Austria-Hungary) had signed a treaty, along with Germany and Italy (called the Triple Alliance), saying that if one of them went to war against Another Country, that the rest of them would go to war. On the other hand, there was another set of three countries which had signed ANOTHER treaty, called the Triple Entente. These countries were Britain, France and Russia. Russia was a supporter of tiny little Serbia, and so when the Triple Alliance delcared war on Serbia, Russia became involved, and that is the way France and Britain became involved. Britain used to own almost half of the countries in the world, so when Britain went to war, so did they -- eg: Australia, New Zealand, India etc.

Britain became involved in World War One because the Germans invaded Belgium. The Treaty of London (1839) between Britain, Prussia, Russia, Austria and France on one hand, and the Netherlands on the other, pledged all parties to respect and defend the perpetual neutrality of Belgium. Germany was a successor state to Prussia, and the Prussian kings had become the German Emperors. When Germany invaded Belgium on its way to France in 1914 the British protested immediately and reminded the Germans of their obligations under this Treaty. The German foreign minister cynically referred to the Treaty as "a scrap of paper". Britain honored its obligations under the Treaty and entered the war to defend the neutrality of Belgium. Previous to the war the British and French had entered into an "Entente Cordiale" ("Cordial Understanding") which was a series of commercial agreements, and NOT a military alliance. There had been some informal meetings between officers of the French and British general staffs on the subject of possible war on the European mainland involving Britain on the side of France, but there were only informal understandings which resulted, nothing approaching an actual alliance.

WWI

To protect their shipping lanes and to help protect France and their alliances.

Also, many in Britain saw it as a chance to cut this new power down to size. It had existed only since 1871 but already had an army to rival Britain's and hopes of building a bigger empire.

...

Britain went to war because of a treaty nearly a hundred years old that most countries had forgotten about, the Germans didn't think Britain would respect the treaty and their only hope of winning the war was to defeat France within the first week meaning the could concentrate on Russia, the only way to do this was for the Germans to go through Belgium as the French hadn't defended that border.

As soon as the Germans attacked Belgium Britain declared war, the Germans now had to fight on 2 fronts and by time they defeated Russia most German supplies were gone and the British along with other allies went over the top. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrjHdl-IYPw this clip is from Blackadder a great comedy which in its fourth and final series took place during WW1, Rowan Atkinson explains why it started and how it was too much trouble not to have a war.

Answer 2

England entered World War 1 because Germany attacked Belgium, a country that she was pleged to defend and she entered it in 1914. Because Germany attacked Belgium & she entered The First World War in 1914.

Answer 3

The official reason was the German invasion of Belgium. In addition, Britain was to all practical intents and purposes the ally of France. Moreover, Britain didn't want to be dwarfed by Germany or let the coast opposite fall into unfriendly hands. Joncey

Answer 4

On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand (who was next in line for the Austrian throne) and his wife Sophie were both assassinated while on a visit to Serbia. War was declared between Serbia and Austria (because a Serb killed what was basically Austria's equivalent of Prince Charles). Anyway, Austria (also called Austro-Hungary) had signed a treaty, along with Germany and Italy (called the Triple Alliance), saying that if one of them went to war against another country, that the rest of them would go to war. On the other hand, there was another set of three countries which had signed ANOTHER treaty, called the Triple Entente. These countries were Britain, France and Russia. Russia was a supporter of tiny little Serbia, and so when the Triple Alliance delcared war on Serbia, Russia became involved, and that is the way France and Britain became involved. Britain used to own almost half of the countries in the world, so when Britain went to war, so did they -- eg: Australia, New Zealand, India etc.

AnswerBecause some people in this world believe that we should kill each other for no apparant reason, so therefore we attacked Germany.
Because of our alliance with France but a more in depth answer is needed really. It was very complicated
cause someone ate a sandwich.

no joke a group called the black hand planed to kill the air to austria-hungry they had failed when the procession went through the streets and were reconvening in the park, there leader was hungry so went off to get a sandwich and by chance happened to end up down the same side street that he was, the dude shot him and loads of people declared war on each other pulling Britain in because of the alliance system.

this also means that the whole of world war one and two is because of this sandwich

isn't that a epic thought

Answer 5

Britain had guaranteed Belgium's neutrality. Once Germany violated that neutrality Britain was required by treaty to come to Belgium's defense. See Barbra Tuchman's The Guns of August (Great Book!)

Answer 6

Britain joined the war, because of the Treaty of London in 1839. This said that if Belgium was invaded, the neighbouring countries of Belgium, including Britain would defend Belgium. So when the Germans invaded Belgium in August 1914, Britain joined the war to defend Belgium.

Answer 7

August 4th, 1914