Question

before world war i, france and russia made an agreement. read these words from the agreement. then answer the question.

if france is attacked by germany, or by italy supported by germany, russia shall employ all her available forces to attack germany.

if russia is attacked by germany, or by austria supported by germany, france shall employ all her available forces to attack germany.

employ: use

on august 1, 1914, germany declared war on russia. why did germany declare war on france two days later?

the german government knew that france was going
to help russia in the war.

the french military attacked germany a few months
earlier.

in the agreement, the german government promised
to attack both russia and france.

Explanation:

The Franco-Russian agreement stated France would use all forces to attack Germany if Russia was attacked by Germany. Since Germany declared war on Russia on August 1, 1914, Germany knew France would fulfill its treaty obligation to help Russia, so it preemptively declared war on France two days later.

Answer:

The German government knew that France was going to help Russia in the war.