ALLIANCES
Triple Alliance, Triple Entente
The Allied forces during World War One included France, Britain, Russia, Italy and the United States. They fought the Central Powers, which included Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. The United States entered war in 1917.
The war resulted chiefly from competition for colonial and economic power among European nations, the desire of national groups to gain independance and secret military alliances among the nations of Europe. In the war, millions of men, women and children were killed and whole cities were destroyed. The Allies won the war in 1918.
After the war, Germany was foced to disarm, give up most of the territory and pay war damages to the Allies. Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire split into national States.
Triple Alliance
Germany was at the center of European foreign policy from 1870 until the outbreak of World War I. Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, Germany's prime minister, formed a series of alliances to strengthen his country's security. He first made an ally of Austria-Hungary. In 1879, Germany and Austria-Hungary agreed to go to war if either country were attacked by Russia. Italy joined the agreement in 1882, and it became known as the Triple Alliance. The members of the Triple Alliance agreed to aid one another in the case of an attack by two or more countries.
Bismarck also brought Austria-Hungary and Germany into an alliance with Russia. The agreement, known as the Three Emperors' League, was formed in 1881. The three powers agreed to remain neutral if any of them went to war with another country. Bismarck also persuaded Austria-Hungary and Russia, which were rivals for influence in the Balkans, to recognize each other's zone of authority in the region. He thus reduced the danger of conflict between the two countries.
Germany's relations with other European countries worsened after Bismarck left office in 1890. Bismarck had worked to prevent France, Germany's neighbor on the west, from forming an alliance with either of Germany's two neighbors to the east--Russia and Austria-Hungary. In 1894, France and Russia agreed to mobilize (call up troops) if any nation in the Triple Alliance mobilized. France and Russia also agreed to help each other if either were attacked by Germany.
Triple Entente
During the 1800's, Britain had followed a foreign policy that became known as "splendid isolation." But Germany's naval build-up made Britain feel the need for allies. The country therefore ended its isolation. In 1904, Britain and France settled their past disagreements over colonies and signed the Entente Cordiale (Friendly Agreement). Although the agreement contained no pledges of military support, the two countries began to discuss joint military plans. In 1907, Russia joined the Entente Cordiale, and it became known as the Triple Entente.
The Triple Entente did not obligate its members to go to war as the Triple Alliance did. But the alliances left Europe divided into two opposing camps.
A School Link Article. Courtesy of Glenn Nellis, LCCHS, March 10, 1999 .
