= Central Powers = The '''Central Powers''' were the coordinated military forces of [[Germany/Monarchs#German_Empire|Germany]], [[Austria/Monarchs#Austro-Hungarian_Empire|Austria-Hungary]], [[WorldHistory/OttomanEmpire|the Ottomans]], and [[Bulgaria/Monarchs#Kingdom_of_Bulgaria|Bulgaria]] during [[WorldHistory/WorldWar1|World War 1]]. <> ---- == History == The Central Powers were preceded by the '''Triple Alliance''' of [[Germany/Monarchs#German_Empire|Germany]], [[Austria/Monarchs#Austro-Hungarian_Empire|Austria-Hungary]], and [[Italy/Monarchs#Kingdom_of_Italy|Italy]]. The alliance was controversial within Italy. While [[Italy/AgostinoDepretis|Depretis]] sought to balance [[France/Democratization#Third_Republic|French]] power, there was also tension with Austria. Italy had seized [[Italy/Venice|Venice]] in the [[WorldHistory/AustroPrussianWar|Austro-Prussian War]], and there was interest in further irredentism. Ultimately, [[Italy/GiovanniGiolitti|Giolitti]] did not join the war declaration; in fact [[Italy/AntonioSalandra|Salandra]] joined the war on part of the [[WorldHistory/AlliedPowers|Allied Powers]] in 1915 instead. [[Italy/SidneySonnino|Sonnino]] had negotiated promises for Austrian lands in exchange for participation. The [[WorldHistory/OttomanEmpire|Ottoman Empire]] and [[Bulgaria/Monarchs#Kingdom_of_Bulgaria|Bulgaria]] joined following the declaration of war. ---- CategoryRicottone