THE ALLIANCE SYSTEM

The Build up to World War One

Alliances

Alliances are like friendships between nationsThese can change over timeNations in alliances back each other up in times of conflictBefore WW1, the nations of Europe formed alliances

Alliance One 1879

Germany allied with Austria in in 1879

Three years later, Italy joined

This was called the TRIPLE ALLIANCE

Alliance Two- 1892

France and Russia feared that they could be attacked by the Triple Alliance

They agreed in 1892 to help each other out if either was attacked

Alliance Three- 1904

Britain became worried because Germany was becoming so powerfulBritain had no Allies because she was building her empireBritain decided to make an agreement with France

This was the ENTENTE CORDIALE

Alliance four 1907

Britain then made a similar agreement with Russia

Russia was already in alliance with FranceThis was called the TRIPLE ENTENTE

Two ARMED CAMPS

By 1907 Europe was clearly divided.

On one side was the TRIPLE ALLIANCE GERMANYAUSTRIA-HUNGARYITALY

On the other was the TRIPLE ENTENTE

GREAT BRITAINFRANCERUSSIA

Two ARMED CAMPS

Both alliances were powerful and well armedIf an argument started between two of them it would spread rapidly