Alliances and the First World War:

Essential Background - Fact 1

World War I was all about the place of Germany in Europe

Alliances and the First World War:

Essential Background - Fact 2

France and Germany hated each other! When Germany became

united country in 1870-1, France went to war to try to stop it … but
got WHOPPED!
Alliances and the First World War:

Essential Background Fact 2 (cont.)

France also lost Alsace-Lorraine in 1870-1.

The French never forgave the Germans. They wanted REVENGE.
Alliances and the First World War:

Germany in the Middle

Germany’s BIG problem was that it was IN THE MIDDLE.

That made it VULNERABLE if it came to a war.
The Dual Alliance - 1879

Bismarck makes an alliance with Austria-Hungary

in order to limit the chance of Russian influence in
the Blakans.
Alliances and the First World War:

Three Emperors’ League, 1881

In the 19th century, Germany’s brilliant Chancellor, Bismarck,

solved this problem by keeping friends with RUSSIA and
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY (the Dreikaiserbund).
Alliances and the First World War:

Triple Alliance, 1882

Then Bismarck allied with Italy and Austria-Hungary (the TRIPLE

ALLIANCE, 1882).
Together with his friendship with Russia, this kept Germany safe.
Alliances and the First World War:

Germany encircled

But when Kaiser Wilhelm became Emperor, he dumped the Russian

alliance. He kept the Triple Alliance, but this did NOT solve the
problem of Germany’s encirclement.
Alliances and the First World War:

Franco-Russian Alliance, 1892

Instead, in 1892, Russia made an alliance with FRANCE.

Although it was only a DEFENSIVE alliance, it was Germany’s worst
nightmare!
Alliances and the First World War:

Webs of Alliances

There were many more alliances.

Alliances and the First World War:

Anglo-Japanese Naval Agreement, 1902

A very important one was the 1902 Anglo-Japanese naval

alliance, which freed up Great Britain from protecting its Empire in
the far east…
Alliances and the First World War:

Entente Cordiale, 1904

… which allowed Britain to make the Entente Cordiale (‘friendly

relationship’) with France in 1904.
Alliances and the First World War:

Triple Entente, 1907

In 1907 Russia joined Britain and France to make the Triple Entente.

So by 1914 Europe had divided into two massive superpower blocs.

People thought this BALANCE OF POWER would keep the peace.
Alliances and the First World War:

The Balkans

But Russia was also allied to Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria.

When trouble erupted in the Balkans in 1914, the nations found their
alliances dragged them into war…
Alliances and the First World War:

How the Alliances caused war

… like mountain climbers tied to the same rope.

(i.e. it is arguable that THE SYSTEM OF ALLIANCES CAUSED
WORLD WAR ONE.)