USA HISTORY

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM(1890 1919)

CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I

[SOURCES]
This nation switched sides during the war with promises of more land for itself if it did.

(A) ** Italy

(B) France

(C) Serbia

(D) Zimbabwe

EXPLANATIONS BELOW

Concept note-1: -On April 26, 1915, Italy negotiated the secret Pact of London by which Great Britain and France promised to support Italy annexing the frontier lands in return for entering the war on the Entente side.

Concept note-2: -Great Britain, France, and Russia concluded on April 26, 1915, the secret Treaty of London with Italy, inducing the latter to discard the obligations of the Triple Alliance and to enter the war on the side of the Allies by the promise of territorial aggrandizement at Austria-Hungary’s expense.

Concept note-3: -When World War I broke out, Italy was part of the Central Powers. But Italy stayed neutral and eventually switch sides to the Allies’ side. The alliance between Italy, Germany, and Austria-Hungary was always a shaky one at best.

Concept note-4: -When the war started Italy declared neutrality; in 1915 it switched and joined the Triple Entente (i.e. the Allies).

Concept note-5: -Italy was promised Trieste, southern Tyrol, northern Dalmatia, and other territories in return for a pledge to enter the war within a month. Despite the opposition of most Italians, who favoured neutrality, Italy joined the war against Austria-Hungary in May.