Central Powers
Germany:
- Territorial expansion (colonies) + economical control
- Annex parts of Belgium, France and Luxembourg
- Establish dominance/national pride
- Domestic legitimization
- International respect, prestige of a great power
- “find place in the sun”
- Maintain power
- Support ally with Austria-Hungary
- Secure borders
- Trade arguments
- International, diplomatic relationships (in future)
- Less threat
- Stop encirclement
- Prove themselves
- Fix internal social problems
- Europe custom union (economic trade)
Austria-Hungary
- Neutralize threat of nationalistic uprising
- Defeat/control Serbia
- Austria-Hungary wanted to avoid/eliminate Serbia as a threat
- Austria-Hungary wanted to protect its empire
- Stabilization
- Protection
- Control minorities in the empire (Slavs…)
- Reply to insult of Serbia
- Respect and prestige
Allies
France:
- “Revanché”
- Gain Alsace-Lorrain back
- Regain former position in Europe
- Secure borders (against Germany)
Britain:
- Defend the trade route by using the navy
- Feeling of Duty (France, Russia, Belgium)
- Glory
- Satisfy people
- Gain naval dominance after arms race with Germany (destroy German navy)
- Protect colonies (India)
- National pride
- Dominance
Russia:
- Defend Panslavic interest (Independent/puppet Slavic states)
- Pay back for Humiliations (revenge)
- Respect & prestige
- Access to Dardanelles
- Warm harbors
- International diplomatic + economic relationships
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