1. Will the creation of the Delian League and the Spartan Confederacy lead to a more peaceful Greece or will it lead to war?

2.  Two strong militaries will serve as a deterrent, meaning Athens won’t want to fight against Sparta because of all their allies and vice versa.  Alliances create diplomatic conversations among city- states. Greeks value rational discussions over violence.  Recently fought Persian War so they won’t want to fight each other and increase the risk of being invaded by outsiders again.  Alliances intended to create trade and economic benefits, war would ruin this.

3.  One alliance may initiate war against the other before it gets stronger than they are.  Sparta and Athens have such different cultures they could never compromise.  One alliance may start a war because they don’t want to be taken over by the other.  The city-states who have been taken over by Sparta and Athens may start a war in order to bring down the two super powers.