The Alliances

1873: The Three Emperors League Agreement between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia. Broke down in 1878 when Russia went to war with Turkey. Renewed in 1881 as a secret treaty which provided neutrality if one of them was at war, with the exception of Turkey. Broke down in 1885 with further tension in the Balkans. This time between Russia and Austria- Hungary over political matters in Bulgaria.

1879: The Dual Alliance Between Germany and Austria-Hungary. A defensive treaty against Russia. If either country went to war with France the other would remain neutral. If Russia joined France then both countries would be supportive. This was secret until 1888 when Bismark revealed it after tensions between Russia and Austria-Hungary reached “boiling” point again over affairs in the Balkans region. Remained permanent after it was renewed in 1902.

1882: The Triple Alliance Extension of the 1879 Dual Alliance with Italy joining. Germany and Austria-Hungary would aid Italy if France attacked (France had taken Tunisia in North Africa). Germany would receive Italian aid if she was at war with France. Italy would be neutral if Austria-Hungary was at war with Russia. If any country was attacked by France or Russia they would support one another. Italy backs out in 1914 as she thought Austria- Hungary had violated the spirit of the Triple Alliance by attacking Serbia.

1887: The Reinsurance Treaty Bismark’s attempt to reconcile Russia with Germany. Bismark wants to be on good terms with both Russia and Austria. TERMS: Germany remains neutral if Russia is at war with Britain and Russia remains neutral if France attacked Germany. “Null and void” if Russia was at war with Austria or if Germany was the aggressor against France. The treaty breaks down when Bismark falls from power in 1890. He was trying to maintain peace in Europe.

1892-4: The Franco-Russian Alliance Alliance between France and Russia. TERMS: Russia would aid France if she was attacked by Germany or Italy, supported by Germany. France would support Russia is she was attacked by Germany, or Austria if supported by Germany. If mobilization of any of the armed forces took place in the Triple Alliance, both Russia and France would mobilize on either side of Germany.

1902: The Anglo-Japanese Alliance At this time Britain was not friends with Russia, France or Germany (“Splendid Isolation”). Her concerns: Russian influence in the Far East, France’s move into West Africa and Germany’s increasing naval power. Japan concerned about Russia in northern China and this as an advance on her influence in Korea. Japan and Britain has common interest in containing Russia. TERMS: Britain recognize Japan’s dominance in Korea and would remain neutral if Japan was at war with Russia. She would help Japan if a second power (France) joined Russia. The treaty ran for 5 years and was renewable.

1904: The Entente Cordial Not an alliance, but a “friendly agreement” between France and Britain to resolve differences in Africa, Newfoundland (Canada) and Asia. The biggest issue was between Egypt (British) and Morocco which the French wanted to control.

1907: The Anglo-Russian Agreement This was established after a change in Russia’s foreign ministry and a move in the direction to match the Triple Alliance. The agreement “verbalized” the long standing grievances between Russia and Britain, but there was no accompanying military convention or promise of diplomatic support. The “ring” around Germany is now complete, a country they all feared. This become the Triple Entente.