Why Did Russia Enter World War One

Why did Russia enter World War One (1914-1918)?

Long Term Causes

 Russia was concerned about the growing power of Germany. Germany had defeated France in a short war in 1870 and had a powerful army and strong industries.  Germany’s main ally was Austria-Hungary. A-H and Russia were rivals for control of the Balkans (a mountainous region on the borders of both powers).  Russia saw itself as the guardian of the ‘Slavic’ people (an ethnic group which included Serbians) Short Term Cause  In 1907 France, Russia and Britain formed an alliance called the Triple Entente (meaning ‘friendship’) to deal with the German threat. Immediate Cause  On 28 June 1914 a teenage Serbian terrorist called Gavril Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand (the heir to the A-H throne).  A-H declared war on Serbia. Russia started mobilising its forces to protect Serbia and on August 1 Germany declared war on Russia.  By August 6, 1914 the two alliances (Germany and Austria- Hungary versus Britain, France and Russia) were at war.