So then Germany mobilized its own army, declared war on Russia, cemented an alliance with the Ottomans, and then declared war on France, because, you know, France. Germany's war plan, the Schlieffen Plan, required that it invade France in the most expedient way possible, which as you can see is via Belgium. And Great Britain was a friend of Belgium, I mean as much as anyone can be a friend of Belgium, and so they declared war on Germany. So by August 4th, all the major powers of Europe were at war with each other. By the end of the month, Japan, honoring its alliance with Britain, would be at war with Germany and Austria as well. When all was said and done, counting colonies and spheres of influence, the world map would eventually look like this. You'll never guess who wins.