Final answer:
In 1915, the Ottoman Empire entered World War I on the side of the Central Powers. This was an effort by the empire to regain prestige and possibly territory. Unfortunately, this decision contributed to the ultimate decline and fall of the empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
The event being referred to in the student's question occurred in 1915, this was when the Ottoman Empire entered World War I on the side of the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Bulgaria). This happened after the empire attacked Russia's fleet in the Black Sea. This was a calculated risk for the empire as they hoped to regain some standing in the world and potentially even more territory through this engagement in warfare. The empire had long been dealing with problems of internal instability and other issues which led to its weakening.
The war involvement did not ultimately work out in the Ottoman Empire's favor. They ended their participation in World War I by signing the Armistice of Mudros in 1918, ultimately leading to the fall of the empire.
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