why did the ottoman empire side with the central powers
Ottoman–German alliance
Most European powers were not interested in joining an alliance with the ailing Ottoman Empire . Already at the beginning of the Turco - Italian War in Northern Africa , the Grand Vizier Sait Halim Paşa had expressed the government 's desire , and the Turkish ambassadors were asked to find out whether the European capitals would be interested . Only Russia seemed to have an interest -- however , under conditions that would have amounted a Russian protectorate on the Ottoman lands . It was impossible to reconcile an alliance with the French : as France 's main ally was Russia , the long - time enemy of the Ottoman Empire since the War of 1828 . Great Britain declined an Ottoman request . The Ottoman Sultan Mehmed V specifically wanted the Empire to remain a non-belligerent nation . However pressure from some of Mehmed 's senior advisors led the Empire to align with the Central Powers . Whilst Great Britain was unenthusiastic about aligning with the Ottoman Empire , Germany was enthusiastic . 
Most European powers were not interested in joining an alliance with the ailing Ottoman Empire . Already at the beginning of the Turco - Italian War in Northern Africa , the Grand Vizier Sait Halim Paşa had expressed the government 's desire , and the Turkish ambassadors were asked to find out whether the European capitals would be interested . Only Russia seemed to have an interest -- however , under conditions that would have amounted a Russian protectorate on the Ottoman lands . It was impossible to reconcile an alliance with the French : as France 's main ally was Russia , the long - time enemy of the Ottoman Empire since the War of 1828 . Great Britain declined an Ottoman request . The Ottoman Sultan Mehmed V specifically wanted the Empire to remain a non-belligerent nation . However pressure from some of Mehmed 's senior advisors led the Empire to align with the Central Powers . Whilst Great Britain was unenthusiastic about aligning with the Ottoman Empire , Germany was enthusiastic .
Most European powers were not interested in joining an alliance with the ailing Ottoman Empire. Only Russia seemed to have an interest--however, under conditions that would have amounted a Russian protectorate on the Ottoman lands.  It was impossible to reconcile an alliance with the French.  Great Britain declined an Ottoman request.   The Ottoman Sultan Mehmed V specifically wanted the Empire to remain a non-belligerent nation.  However pressure from some of Mehmed's senior advisors led the Empire to align with the Central Powers.
Whilst Great Britain was unenthusiastic about aligning with the Ottoman Empire, Germany was enthusiastic.
Most European powers were not interested in joining an alliance with the ailing Ottoman Empire . Only Russia seemed to have an interest -- however , under conditions that would have amounted a Russian protectorate on the Ottoman lands . It was impossible to reconcile an alliance with the French : as France 's main ally was Russia , the long - time enemy of the Ottoman Empire since the War of 1828 . Great Britain declined an Ottoman request . The Ottoman Sultan Mehmed V specifically wanted the Empire to remain a non-belligerent nation . However pressure from some of Mehmed 's senior advisors led the Empire to align with the Central Powers . Whilst Great Britain was unenthusiastic about aligning with the Ottoman Empire , Germany was enthusiastic .
Most European powers were not interested in joining an alliance with the ailing Ottoman Empire. Only Russia seemed to have an interest--however, under conditions that would have amounted a Russian protectorate on the Ottoman lands. It was impossible to reconcile an alliance with the French as France 's main ally was Russia. Great Britain declined an Ottoman request. The Ottoman Sultan Mehmed V specifically wanted the Empire to remain a non-belligerent nation. However pressure from some of Mehmed's senior advisors led the Empire to align with the Central Powers. Whilst Great Britain was unenthusiastic about aligning with the Ottoman Empire, Germany was enthusiastic.
Most European powers were not interested in joining an alliance with the ailing Ottoman Empire . Only Russia seemed to have an interest -- however , under conditions that would have amounted a Russian protectorate on the Ottoman lands . It was impossible to reconcile an alliance with the French : as France 's main ally was Russia , the long - time enemy of the Ottoman Empire since the War of 1828 . Great Britain declined an Ottoman request . The Ottoman Sultan Mehmed V specifically wanted the Empire to remain a non-belligerent nation . However pressure from some of Mehmed 's senior advisors led the Empire to align with the Central Powers . Whilst Great Britain was unenthusiastic about aligning with the Ottoman Empire , Germany was enthusiastic .