World War 1 had taken place primarily because of the ambitions of Germany. It all began after France attacked Prussia in 1870. In this war, also known as Franco-Prussian War, France was defeated and a far more powerful Germany was born. Germany seized Alsace-Lorraine which infuriated the French. France planned to get back Alsace – Lorraine with the help of Plan 17 created by Joffre in 1913 ("To What Extent Was Germany Responsible WW I History Essay", 2019).