<u><em>The Kingdom Of Italy </em></u>was part of the Central Powers, but then changed sides. As a part of the Triple Alliance,their allegiance was intended to counterbalance the Triple Entente allegiance of France, UK, and Russia. However, at hostilities, the Kingdom Of Italy did not join the fighting and instead joined the allied side (France, UK, and Russia) side in May 1915. I hope this helped!
It is absolutely vital for historians to understand the cause and effect relationship between events in history because this helps to explain why the events happened in the first place