World War 1 Alliances

By ...adrian

  • Franco-Prussian War

    A coalition of German states led by Prussia defeated France. The war marked the end of French dominance in continental Europe and resulted in the creation of a unified Germany. They took Alsace & Lorraine

  • The Dual Alliance (Austria-Hungary & Germany)

    Bismarck wanted to protect Austria-Hungary from possible Russian aggression. In protecting Austria-Hungary from Russia, Germany was looking out for their own interests. If Austria-Hungary were ever to fall then the Russians would be at the German door. This was an actual defensive alliance on the part of Germany.

  • Three Emperor´s League (Austria-Hungary, Germany, Russia)

    This was an attempt to restore stability to eastern Europe by bringing Russia into the fold of the Dual Alliance. It was not to be successful as Austro-Russian problems arose again with the Bulgarian Crisis of 1886.

  • The Triple Alliance (Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy)

    This was formed in order to politically isolate France

  • Wilhelm II Became Emperor

    Wilhelm II became Emperor of Germany. He rejected the legacy of Bismarck and tried to go his own way.

  • The Anglo-German Naval Race.

    The race to increase their military power created an air of military conflict, if not an actual desire for military action by both sides

  • The Franco-Russian Alliance

    This practically encircled Germany

  • The Entente Cordiale (France & Great Britain)

    This agreement between Great Britain and France was more a sign of healing relations than an actual alliance. The Triple Alliance powers took note of this

  • Angolo-Russian Entente (Great Britain & Russia)

    Great Britain and Russia settled their differences and take this final step toward the Triple Entente.

  • The Triple Entente (Great Britain, France, Russia)

    This alliance arose from the prior ententes between these three powers and as a reaction to worsening relations between Germany and Great Britain due to the Naval arms race and Germany's attempt to exploit the Russian loss of the Russo-Japanese War of 1905. This final alliance drew the lines for the war that would follow. Germany's worst fears of encirclement were realized and a two front war had been made a certainty as it was surrounded by enemies