The First World War As The Result Of The Alliance System

1242 Words3 Pages

The First World War As The Result Of The Alliance System The alliance system played a key role in starting the First World War. The alliances increased tension, they restricted states’ actions because they were binding and most importantly, they involved more countries into the war; they increased the scale of the war. These are the reasons why the alliances are a key factor in causing the war. However, the alliances themselves didn’t cause the war; we must also consider the roles of the other factors, i.e. Germany, Balkans, economic and domestic problems and nationalism/aggressive policies. In the years leading up to the war, many alliances were made. Firstly, Austria and Germany formed the Dual Alliance in 1879; they promised each other neutrality, it was also an anti-Russian alliance. The alliance suggests that they were anticipating future problems, possibly with Russia. In 1882, the Dual Alliance became the Triple Alliance after Italy joined; the alliance became anti-French. France and Russia formed the Franco-Russian alliance in 1891, which marked the end of German direction of the affairs of Europe. Their alliance was initially formed from financial ties in 1888 which became a formal alliance in 1893. Their alliance was military and anti-German; they promised to help each other if the were attacked by Germany. Russia benefited from this alliance because it was able to industrialise as a result of French loans. In 1902, Britain and Japan formed the Anglo-Japanese alliance. This alliance was not an alliance for Germany to be worried about because Britain's intentions were for it to be against Russian expansion in the Far East. Russia was Britain's colonial rival over India, Persia and Afghanistan; they also threatened Britain's unofficial empire in China The Entente Cordiale was formed in 1904 between Britain and France; it was a colonial alliance to settle disagreements; it improves relations but it has no military obligations. Their original agreements were colonial over their rivalry in Africa. However, the alliance only became anti-German as a result of German aggression; even after

Open Document