History of Europe

What were the allies fighting for in ww1?

Allies' War Aims

- To defeat the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire).

- To enforce the Treaty of Versailles (which ended World War I).

- To prevent Germany from starting another war.

- To spread democracy and make the world a safer place.

While these were the general goals of the Allies, each country had its own specific reasons for fighting.

France

- To regain the territory that Germany had taken from France in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871).

- To ensure that Germany could not invade France again.

Great Britain

- To maintain the balance of power in Europe by preventing Germany from becoming too powerful.

- To protect British trade routes.

- To defend Belgium, which Germany had invaded.

Russia

- To expand Russian territory and gain control of the Balkans and the Black Sea.

- To protect Serbia, which had been attacked by Austria-Hungary.

United States

- To end the war and restore peace in Europe.

- To make the world safe for democracy.

- To prevent the spread of communism.