map placeholder
Click on a country for details.

Allies During WWI

While both World War I and World War II were global in scale and involved dozens of countries, both wars also saw those countries coalescing into two opposing groups. The countries involved in World War I aligned with either the Central Powers (Germany, Turkey, Austria-Hungary) or the Allies (France, Russia, Great Britain). Two decades later, the countries involved in World War II followed suit, again aligning themselves with either the German-led coalition—now called the Axis Powers—or the Allies. While many countries successfully avoided joining either side during World War I, the list of countries who remained neutral in World War II was much shorter, as the conflict expanded to engulf nearly the entire globe.

Allies and Associated Powers in World War I:

In World War I, the Allies were also known as the Entente Powers. The Allies were led throughout much of the war by Great Britain, France, and Russia, who formalized their alliance with the Treaty of London, which was signed on the 5th of September, 1914. Allied forces were further subdivided into two groups: the Allies and the "Associate Powers," which were countries fighting alongside the Allies, but which stopped short of officially joining the coalition for political purposes. Finally, the Allies included several countries who officially declared war on the Central Powers, but did not participate in the military conflict.

CountryStatus
Albaniaassociated
Andorranon-combative
Armeniaassociated
Asir (now part of Saudi Arabia) associated
Australia (as part of British Empire)ally
Bangladesh (as part of British Empire)ally
Belgiumassociated
Boliviaassociated, non-combative
Brazilassociated
Canada (as part of British Empire)ally
Chinaassociated, non-combative
Costa Ricaassociated, non-combative
Cubaassociated, non-combative
Czechoslovakia* (now Czech Republic and Slovakia)associated
Ecuadorassociated, non-combative
Finland (as part of Russia)ally
France (and colonies)ally
Greeceassociated
Guatemalaassociated, non-combative
Haitiassociated, non-combative
Hejaz/Hedjaz (now part of Saudi Arabia) associated
Hondurasassociated, non-combative
India (as part of British Empire)ally
Italy (and colonies)ally
Japanally
Liberiaassociated, non-combative
Luxembourg*associated, non-combative
Montenegro*associated
Myanmar (as part of British Empire)ally
Nejd and Hasa (now part of Saudi Arabia)associated
Nepal (as part of British India)ally
New Zealand (as part of British Empire)ally
Newfoundland (as part of British Empire)ally
Nicaraguaassociated, non-combative
Nigeria (as part of British Empire)ally
Oman (as part of British Empire)ally
Pakistan (as part of British Empire)ally
Panamaassociated, non-combative
Peruassociated, non-combative
Poland*ally
Portugalassociated
Romaniaassociated
Russiaally
San Marino*associated
Serbia*associated
Siam (now Thailand)associated
South Africa (as part of British Empire)ally
United Kingdom (England, Ireland, and colonies)ally
United Statesassociated
Uruguayassociated, non-combative

* Notes:

  • The Hejaz was a territory that revolted against Turkish rule in 1916 and was folded into what is now Saudi Arabia in 1932.
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia would be among the countries that merged to form the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes in 1918, which changed its name to Yugoslavia in 1929.
  • Poland did not exist as an independent state throughout much of World War I, as its territory was split between occupiers from Russia, Germany, and Austria-Hungary. It was nonetheless the site of much of the Eastern Front's combat, and its people fought and suffered greatly. Poland was returned to independence as part of the Treaty of Versailles.
  • Czechoslovakia did not exist as an independent state until 1918, instead comprising a portion of both Austria and Hungary.
  • Luxembourg was officially neutral and never officially declared war upon the Axis powers despite the fact that it was occupied by Germany from 1914 to 1918. However, the country unofficially aligned itself with the Allies late in the war.
  • San Marino declared its neutrality, but was forced into military participation by Italy.

Who were the Allies in World War 1?

The main members of the Allies during World War 1 were France, Russia, and Great Britain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources