Central Powers
The Central Powers were one of the two sides in the First World War. They fought the Allies and consisted of the German Empire , the Austro-Hungary , the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Bulgaria. The term "Central Powers" is derived from the geographical position of these countries: they were located between the Russian Empire to the east, France and the United Kingdom to the west.
Germany and Austria-Hungary became allies October 7, 1879. They will be joined May 20, 1882 by the Kingdom of Italy (forming the Triple Alliance ), which wants to establish a defensive alliance only. When the First World War broke out, Germany and Austria-Hungary seek the Kingdom of Italy to participate in the fighting, which she refused because both countries have attacked the Kingdom of Serbia , breaking the initial pact defensive in nature. Italy enters the war May 23, 1915 fighting Germany and Austria-Hungary. Moreover, Italy had nothing to gain from fighting with Germany and Austria-Hungary, while it could be a territorial gain on Austria-Hungary.
Following the outbreak of war in Europe in August 1914, the Ottoman Empire in October to commit the same year by attacking Russia, leading to a declaration of war by the Triple Entente.
The Kingdom of Bulgaria, vindictive after being defeated in the Second Balkan War in July 1913 by the Kingdom of Serbia , the Kingdom of Greece , the Kingdom of Romania and the Ottoman Empire, is the last to go to war against the Triple Entente. He will invade Serbia in conjunction with Germany and Austria-Hungary in October 1915.
Other movements have supported the Central Powers for various reasons, such as Irish nationalists who initiated the Easter Rising in Dublin in April 1916. In 1917 and 1918, the Finns under the command of Mannerheim , the Ukrainian nationalists and Lithuanians fought the Russians for a common cause. The Ottoman Empire also had allies in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus. The three countries have fought side by side in the Army of Islam at the Battle of Baku.
Bulgaria signs an armistice with the Allies September 29, 1918, following a major breakthrough for them in Macedonia. The Ottoman Empire did the same Oct. 30, 1918 following the progress of the British and Arabs in Palestine and Syria. The Austria and Hungary signed a cease-fire separately during the first week of November following the disintegration of the empire of the Habsburgs. Germany signs an armistice on the morning of November 11, 1918 , which means the end of the war, after a series of advances from the armed Canadian , Belgian , British, French and U.S. north-east of France and Belgium.
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