Why did Britain help France in ww1?

Great Britain entered World War I on 4 August 1914 when the King declared war after the expiration of an ultimatum to Germany. The official explanation focused on protecting Belgium as a neutral country; the main reason, however, was to prevent a French defeat that would have left Germany in control of Western Europe.

Why was France so important in ww1?

The French First Army helped the British troops in the north, while eight French field armies formed the center of the offensive. An additional army was sent to help the Americans. The French forces were the most numerous of all the allied troops, and during the last stage of the war, they took about 140,000 prisoners.

What would happen if Britain did not enter ww1?

“Britain could indeed have lived with a German victory. So strategically, if Britain had not gone to war in 1914, it would still have had the option to intervene later, just as it had the option to intervene after the revolutionary wars had been under way for some time.”

Why did France want war with Britain?

The French and Indian War began over the specific issue of whether the upper Ohio River valley was a part of the British Empire, and therefore open for trade and settlement by Virginians and Pennsylvanians, or part of the French Empire.

How was Britain responsible for ww1?

Belgium’s ports were close to the British coast and German control of Belgium would have been seen as a serious threat to Britain. In the end, Britain refused to ignore the events of 4 August 1914, when Germany attacked France through Belgium. Within hours, Britain declared war on Germany.

How did WWI affect France?

Economy. France’s economy after World War 1 was ruined. The war against Germany at the western front was fought mainly in France, which caused a drop in the economy. France experienced a dramatic decrease in manpower; infrastructure and agriculture were likewise damaged due to bombardments and trench warfare.

Why should France be blamed for ww1?

The British were accused of supporting France and Russia because they feared Germany as a growing power and wanted to contain or cripple Germany. Raymond Poincaré and the French were blamed for encouraging Russia, for wanting to win back Alsace and Lorraine, and for wanting war while circumstances were right.

Could World War One have happened without the British?

It’s impossible to know as there are so many variables, but there are actually chances that World War One as we know it might not have happened. After all, the British Expeditionary Force (B.E.F.) was rather small compared to the size of the French, German and Russian armies.

What if the British Empire did not lose WW1?

The British Empire does not lose 953,104 men (not including wounded). France and Russia would have been defeated by 1916. The war does not drag on consequently less people get killed. Russia may have sued for peace earlier to deal with its domestic problems. Russia may not have fallen to Communism.

Could Britain have spared the French and Russian armies from defeat?

After all, the British Expeditionary Force (B.E.F.) was rather small compared to the size of the French, German and Russian armies. It’s therefore not sure if the early involvement of Britain could have spared the French and Russian armies from defeat.

What would have happened if the British didn’t surrender to Germany?

They lose some ships in the invasion of Norway, and of course the British sank the French Mediterranean fleet when France surrendered in French North Africa. If that hadn’t happened and the Germans had been able to get hold of the French battle fleet, it’s still not enough to defeat the Royal Navy, but that would improve the German chances.