Question

What did alliances between countries mean as war became a danger in 1914?

Answer 1

Countries were confident that allies would fight with them if they declared war.

Answer 2

Europe had developed a system of alliances that divided the continent in two. Democratic Britain and France, along with the Russian Empire, had formed the Triple Entente. Central Powers were comprised of the new German Empire, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. The assassination of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne by a Serbian nationalist triggered the world war in August 1914.