Central Powers

Definition

The Central Powers were a group of nations fighting against the Allied Powers during World War I. The main members were Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire (modern-day Turkey), and Bulgaria.

Related terms

Allied Powers: This was the opposing team in World War I, consisting mainly of France, Russia, United Kingdom, Italy, Japan and later joined by United States.

Triple Alliance: This was a military alliance among Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy formed before World War I. It can be seen as an early formation of what would become part of the Central Powers.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk: This was a peace treaty signed in 1918 between the new Bolshevik government of Soviet Russia and the Central Powers that ended Russia's participation in World War I.