By the time World War I began, Italy had been secretly in an alliance (called the Triple Alliance) with Germany and Austria-Hungary for over thirty years. Under the Triple Alliance, Italy was to use their forces to help defend Germany in the event of an attack by the French.
When war began in 1914, Italy did not join its allies in the fight. Under the agreement of the Triple Alliance, they would only assist Germany and Austria-Hungary if it were in defense. They publicly remained neutral. In secret, Italy negotiated with the Allied Powers of Great Britain and France. Italy agreed to fight on the side of the Allied Powers in exchange for certain territories gained during the war if they won.
During the war, the Italian front was in the Alps, near Bolzano. It also went to the Adriatic Sea to the east. The Italians mainly fought against the Austro-Hungarians. In the end, Italy did gain territories in what is now the northern part of the country.
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