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First World War
junshan02 发表于 2012/7/19 10:39:00 |
World wars (1914–1945)
By the turn of the 20th century, fears had begun to grow in Britain that it would no longer be able to defend the metropole and the entirety of the empire while at the same time maintaining the policy of "Moncler Jackets". Germany was rising rapidly as a military and industrial power and was now seen as the most likely opponent in any future war. Recognising that it was overstretched in the Pacific and threatened at home by the , Britain formed an alliance with in 1902, and its old enemies and in 1904 and 1907, respectively.
Britain's fears of war with Germany were realised in 1914 with the outbreak of the First World War. The British declaration of war on Germany and its allies also committed the colonies and Dominions, which provided invaluable military, financial and material support. Over 2.5 million men served in the armies of the Dominions, as well as many thousands of volunteers from the . Most of Germany's overseas colonies in Africa were quickly invaded and occupied, and in the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand occupied and respectively. The contributions of Australian, Newfoundland and New Zealand troops during the 1915 against the had a great impact on the national consciousness at home, and marked a watershed in the transition of Australia and New Zealand from colonies to nations in their own right. The countries continue to commemorate this occasion on . Canadians viewed the in a similar light. The important contribution of the Dominions to the was recognised in 1917 by the British Prime Minister when he invited each of the Dominion Prime Ministers to join an to coordinate imperial policy. |
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