1. The Build up to World War One
THE ALLIANCE SYSTEM
The Build up to World War One

2. Alliances Alliances are like friendships between nations
These can change over time
Nations form two types of alliances:
an agreement not to fight each other
an agreement between to back each other up in times of conflict
Before WW1, the nations of Europe formed both sorts of alliances

3. Alliance One 1879 Germany allied with Austria in in 1879
Three years later, Italy joined
This was called the TRIPLE ALLIANCE

4. Why Countries joined the Triple Alliance?
Germany and Austria-
Hungary forms an
Alliance in 1879,
Creating the Dual –
alliance
Austria and Russia
Are rivals over the
Balkans
Austria requires
an ally against
Russia
Why?
Italy joins Germany
And Austria-Hungary
In Creating
The Triple Alliance
Germany fears an attack
From France and Russia

5. 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

6. Why France and Russia align
Franco-Russian alliance 1894
Why?
France wants revenge after 1871 Franco-Prussian War
France and Russia fear an attack by the Triple Alliance

7. British Isolationism
Until the 1890s Britain thought its navy was strong enough to stand alone.
The 2nd Boers War ( ) weakened the British

8. Alliance Three- 1904
Britain became worried because Germany was becoming so powerful
Britain decided to make an agreement with France not to war over colonial territories
This was the ENTENTE CORDIALE (friendly accord)

9. Alliance four 1907
Britain then made a similar agreement with Russia (Anglo-Russian Entente)
Both had prior quarrels over land in central Asia
Russia was already in alliance with France
This was called the TRIPLE ENTENTE

11. The Two Armed Camps Triple Alliance Triple Entente Annual spending on
Arms (£M)

12. Reflection/Review Questions
What fears/motivations lead to the formulation of the Triple Alliance?
What fears/motivations lead to the formulation of the Triple Entente?
What is the Entente Cordiale?
What is the Anglo-Russian Entente?
Which side is most justified in forming alliances?