1. The alliance system without Bismarck

3. KAISER Wilhelm II

4. Wilhelm II dismisses Bismarck
Dropping the pilot
Reinsurance treaty NOT renewed
Bismarck’s alliance system falls apart.
Other countries make their own alliance system!

5. BUT The Triple alliance remains in place

7. The Kaiser goes his own way
Claimed a “place in the sun’ for Germany
Refused to renew the reinsurance treaty with Russia (what do the Russians fear?)
German Naval laws (what do the British fear)

8. France, Russia and Britain take fright

9. Creation of the Triple Entente
Relations between Russia and France get better
1892 military agreement
Dual Entente (Bismarck’s worst nightmare)

10. The entente cordiale 1904 Britain and France – Entente Cordiale 1904
Discussions on naval issues. By 1912 British navy withdraws from Mediterranean, French navy from the Channel.

11. Triple Entente 1907 Britain signs entente with Russia
Not a military alliance BUT does make it likely that Britain will support them in event of war.

12. Europe divided into two armed camps
Triple Alliance
Germany
Austria-Hungary
Italy
Triple Entente
Britain
France
Russia