The alliance system and

international rivalry, 1905–14

EDEXCEL
Paper 2: Investigation and Breadth Studies
A1 The origins and course of the First World War, 1905–18
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 Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
❏ Familiarise themselves with the alliances that formed during the First World
War;
❏ Discuss how the Alliance System contributed to the origins of the First World
War; and
❏ Analyse how economic imperialism led to international rivalry of European
powers.
Important Keywords
Alliance
Triple Alliance
Triple Entente
Imperialism
“The war was decided in the first 20 days of fighting.
All that happened afterwards consisted in battles
which, however formidable and devastating, were but
desperate and vain appeals against the decision of
Fate.”
- Winston Churchill

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 The system of alliances and ententes before 1914, including 5

the Triple Alliance and the formation of the Triple Entente

Watch the explainer video of the prelude

to WWI and discuss.

Video: Europe Prior to World War I: Alliances and Enemies

 The system of alliances and ententes before 1914, including 6

the Triple Alliance and the formation of the Triple Entente

One of the primary causes of
the First World War was the
Countries that formed formation of alliances. The
THE TRIPLE purpose of an alliance is for
ALLIANCE. countries to collaborate to
● Germany achieve a common goal.
● Austria-Hungary Through alliances, countries
● Italy are able to help each other
and fill each other’s gaps and
Countries that formed weaknesses.
THE TRIPLE
Countries that formed
ENTENTE. THE FRANCO-RUSSIAN
● France
● Britain ALLIANCE.
● Russia ● France
● Russia
 The system of alliances and ententes before 1914, including 7

the Triple Alliance and the formation of the Triple Entente

THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE, 1882. Germany and Austria-Hungary, being two of the Central Powers at
the time, formed a prior alliance in 1879 before Italy joined them in 1882. The three countries
worried that France would launch an attack. In the event of an attack against any of them, they
committed to assisting each other as allies. However, as individual countries, they had self-
serving motives and goals they wanted to achieve from being part of the alliance.

AUSTRIA-HUNGARY was one
of the most powerful nations
in Europe. As a multi-national
state, it faced difficulties in
consolidating the nations in
its territory. To achieve their
goal of conquering the Balkan
territory, they had to ally with
Germany.
GERMANY, being a newly
united nation in 1871, sought
to capture more territory,
particularly part of Austria-
Hungary. The way Germany
planned to do that was to first
help Austria-Hungary seize
territory in the Balkans.
ITALY, despite being a major
enemy of Austria-Hungary in
the past, recognised it had to
join the Triple Alliance to
achieve its own goal of setting
up colonies in parts of Turkey,
Greece and the Balkan region.
 The system of alliances and ententes before 1914, including 8

the Triple Alliance and the formation of the Triple Entente

CONFLICT OF INTEREST. The renewal of the

alliance in 1887 included Germany’s support
for Italy’s plans to colonise the Balkan
territory. Italy’s colonial ambitions were in
conflict with Austria-Hungary’s because the
latter also sought to possess territory in that
region. Even with German Chancellor Otto
von Bismarck intervening to pressure
Austria-Hungary into settling Balkan land ITALY’S SECRET ALLIANCE. While still part of the
disputes with Italy, the two countries did not Triple Alliance, Italy made a secret agreement with
resolve their conflict of interest. France on 1 November, 1902, guaranteeing their
neutrality in the event Germany attacked France.

The alliance was periodically renewed until it officially lapsed in 1915 during the First World
War. Italy entered the war as an enemy of Germany and Austria-Hungary.
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Assessment #1

Based on your
understanding of the
historical context, map the
alliance system made
before and during the First
World War. Moreover,
discuss the significance of
this factor for the outbreak
of the war.
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Assessment #2

Identify the alliances formed by each of the countries represented by the flags below.