All Quiet On The Western Front, By Erich Remarque

Many countries entered the war since it was more beneficial for them to fight alongside their allies instead of single-handedly fighting enemy countries. Russia, being an ally of Serbia, and Germany, an ally of Austria-Hungary, are forced to join the war due to their alliances and treaties with the two countries. Their agreements allowed Serbia and Austria-Hungary to have more numbers, strength, and support to fight each other than without. As Germany advances to strike other countries, those nations are forced to join the Allies to defend themselves against the Germans. France allied with Russia, allowing them to create a two-front war that would not have been possible otherwise, weakening Germany. Britain united with the Allies as it gave them the opportunity to take up …show more content…
These signed treaties were a major reason why many countries joined, since it was better for them to have help rather than being an individual force. Alliances gave each side the power they needed to battle each other, which is why the countries believed entering the war due to their treaties was a suitable rationale. Many individuals entered the war because they were convinced by the older generations that being a soldier would give them honor. In the novel All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Remarque, the young men of society were taught that war was a glorious and noble sacrifice, and that it was honorable to serve their country. Men were expected to fight, and shunned by society if they didn’t, being considered weak and a coward. Older generations led the men to join, not telling them the truth about war and the horrors that would occur. Remarque emphasizes the betrayal through his words, “For us lads of eighteen they ought to have been mediators and guides… but in our hearts we trusted them… While they continued to write and talk, we saw the wounded and