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The First World War
Men in Trench
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Combatants
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Central Powers
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Allies
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Home c4spacer Overview c4spacer Controversies c4spacer Timeline c4spacer Combatants c4spacer Biographies c4spacer Glossary c4spacer Learn More
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The First World War was a truly global conflict which, at its peak, involved twenty seven Allied nations and four Central Powers.

This section introduces twenty-two warring states and profiles their strengths and weaknesses at the point at which they entered the war
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CENTRAL POWERS
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Austro - Hungary Austro - Hungary
Entered War - 28 July 1914
(declared war on Serbia).
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Germany Germany
Entered War - 1 August 1914
(declared war on Russia).
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Turkey (Ottoman Empire) Turkey (Ottoman Empire)
Entered War - 29 October 1914
(attacked Russia's ports in the Black Sea)
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Bulgaria Bulgaria
Entered War - 12 October 1915
(declared war against Serbia)
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Serbia Serbia
Entered War - 28 July 1914
(Austro-Hungarian declaration of war)
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Russia Russia
Entered War - 1 August 1914
(declaration of war by Germany)
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France France
Entered War - 3 August 1914
(declaration of war by Germany)
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Belgium Belgium
Entered War - 4 August 1914
(invaded by Germany)
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United Kingdom United Kingdom
Entered War - 4 August 1914
(declared war on Germany following its invasion of Belgium)
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Australia Australia
Entered War - 4 August 1914
(agreed to support Britain)
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Canada Canada
Entered War - 4 August 1914
(in support of Britain)
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India India
Entered War - 4 August 1914
(in support of Britain)
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New Zealand New Zealand
Entered War - 4 August 1914
(in support of Britain)
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Rhodesia Rhodesia
Entered War - 4 August 1914
(in support of Britain)
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Union of South Africa Union of South Africa
Entered War - 4 August 1914
(in support of Britain)
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United States of America United States of America
Entered War - 6 April 1917
(declared war on Germany)
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Italy Italy
Entered War - 23 May 1915
(declared war on Austria-Hungary)
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Romania Romania
Entered War - 27 August 1916
(declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary)
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Greece Greece
Entered War - 27 June 1917
(declared war against the Central Powers)
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Montenegro Montenegro
Entered War - 7 August 1914
(declared war on Austria-Hungary)
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Portugal Portugal
Entered War - 9 March 1916
(Germany declared war on Portugal)
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Japan Japan
Entered War - 23 August 1914
(declared war on Germany)
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