Alliances of WWI

1879

Germany + Austria dual alliance

• To share trade resources

• Protect themselves from Russia

  • Part of Bismarck’s plan189

1882

Germany, Austria Hungary and Italy, Triple alliance

• Italy joining an already conceived alliance, more attractive

• Share trade resources

• Germany felt encircled

• All had enemy of France

1892

France and Russian, Franco-Russian alliance

• Retaliation to Germany alliance

• Share trade resources

• Russia was attractive with the largest army

  • France was attractive with a strong military history

1904

Britain and France, Entente Cordiale

• Britain hadn’t made an alliance yet and felt threatened

• Made a good pairing, good navy + good army

• Neighbours - good sharing of trade resources

1907

Britain, France and Russia, Triple Entente

• Resources + to protect eachother during war

• Wanted to rival the triple alliance with 3 strong countries

• All had coastal interest in protecting their navies.

What did alliances lead to?

• Alliance system turned small arguments into large ones

• Increasing military power for some countries

• Alliances were signed in secret, other countries thought they were aggressive pacts.