Newb Question on allies and war

[Hopestealer]

I was playing today and Japan declared war. I have 2 allies in game who are friendly to me plus both of them are annoyed with Japan. When i go to the negotiation screen to ask them if they would declare war on Japan the option is in red and cannot be chosen. My question is how come I cant get my allies to declare war on another country when everything looks favourable forthem to do it? I am probably missing some way to do it, please help. Thanks a ton

 

[Kazbar]

Did you hold the mouse over the option for a second to read the excuse they had?

It's probably either because A) It wouldn't benefit them, or B) They fear their military might.

 

[Hopestealer]

Doh - it says they have enough on their hands right now. I don't see either of them at war. Thanks for the tip. Now I'm wondering if there is any way to entice them into it.

 

[mystikmind2005]

Strategies to cause wars between AI races,,, i would like to hear if anyone has any?

 

[eewallace]

My favorite gambit is trying to get them to have different religions as state religion, which often can push them over the edge to declaring war...

 

[Harald HÃ¥rfagre 1]

First, use money to make other countries good friends, then, make them decleare war on other countries. As soon as all coutries are at war exept your own, use the time to build a great army. Then you decleare war at the winners of th last war.

Tip: Use all civics that can give your troops experience in the army training time. Also choose a leader with either the Aggresive
(Hannibal, Tokugawa, Ragnar...), Protective (Tokugawa, Churchill, Saladin...) or Charismathic (Churchill, Hannibal, Napoleon...) skill. Then the victory will be even easier to take.

 

[Clam Spammer]

Doh - it says they have enough on their hands right now. I don't see either of them at war. Thanks for the tip. Now I'm wondering if there is any way to entice them into it.

If they say they have enough on their hands, it means they are preparing for war or they are already at war with someone. This just happened to me - I couldn't bribe the Romans into war with the Aztecs. It turns out they were planning to attack the Japanese, which they did a few turns later.

Like eewallace suggested, religious differences are a huge factor in declarations of war. Trouble is, unless you found some religions and spam missionaries, you won't have much control over this.

 

[Harry Potter52]

Gah!! Simply hate it when the AI adoppt that holier than thou attitude and refuse to get their hands dirty.
Had a game where I sufferred large number of casualties to reduce Churchil to 1 city. Couldn't believe when Napolean (i had tried bribing him earlier but he refused) steams over and takes London (which had a shrine and wonders) after all the hardwork I did to reduce tis defence.
That is Sooooo unfair.......

 

[mystikmind2005]

Gah!! Simply hate it when the AI adoppt that holier than thou attitude and refuse to get their hands dirty.
Had a game where I sufferred large number of casualties to reduce Churchil to 1 city. Couldn't believe when Napolean (i had tried bribing him earlier but he refused) steams over and takes London (which had a shrine and wonders) after all the hardwork I did to reduce tis defence.
That is Sooooo unfair.......

The AI's typically gang up on anyone who is weak. You should have anticipated this behaviour.

You can take advantage by following the AI forces with a small force of your own and let them weaken cities for you to take over!!

 

[Harry Potter52]

Yeah.. Beat them at their own game
Let's see you now Napolean