1. France
Done.

2. Geography • France if the largest country in Western Europe.
• It shares borders with
Belgium, Luxembourg,
Germany, Switzerland, Italy &
Spain.
• It has access via seas to
Northern Europe, America and Africa.
FRANCE
Done.

3. Brief History • France held a Feudal regime until the 18th century.
• During the 18th Century, the French Revolution replaced the Feudal system with a Republic.
• Soon after, the 2nd Republic was
established.
• Napoleon III formed the 2nd Empire.
• Prussia defeated France in the
Franco-Prussian war (1871).
• The Third Republic was established,
the longest political regime since the
revolution.
• In 1914 France fought in WW1
Done.

4. The Third Republic
• 1870 – 1940
• Formed after Prussia defeated France in the Franco-Prussian War (1871)
• Presidents Adolphe Theirs and Albert Lebrun.
• Tension caused by events such as the Boulangist Movement (1886 – 89) and the Dreyfus Affair (1894 – 99); which revealed deep political divisions within France.
Done.

5. Economy France’s economy was affected by 3 major events –
• The Napoleonic Era: Production of Military supplies etc. provided temporary economic boom, however this was hard to emulate during times of peace.)
• Industrialization: Compared to it’s rivals Britain & Germany, France was considered to be behind in industrial technology.)
• World War 1: Was disastrous for the economies of all parties.
Done.

6. Military • During the Napoleonic Era, France was militarily brilliant.
• France remained a powerful nation after
Napoleon’s exile.
• Small defeats such as that of the
Hasburgs in the Franco-Austrian war of
1859 saw France become over confident.
• France was defeated in the Franco-
Prussian war, which led to the loss of Alsace-Lorraine and the
creation of a united German empire.
• With the British & Americans, France was able to hold on for 4 years to defeat Germany in WW1.
Done.

7. Alignment with nations
Russia: Russia and France distrusted each other due to conflicting political systems (Autocracy vs. Republic.) Mutual fear of Germany & Britain, and industrial financing led to an alliance in This was the core of the Triple Entente.
Britain: Traditional enemies, France & Britain agreed upon an “entente” in 1904 as Britain was alarmed at their international isolation and the rising power of Germany. All Colonial differences between the pair were resolved.
Germany: Germany’s possession of Alsace-Lorraine prevented reconciliation. Germany sought to isolate a possibly re-emergent France.
Done.

8. Alliances
Done.

9. 5 Major Powers
Russia
Britain
Germany
France
Austria-Hungary
Done.

10. The Three Emperor’s League
• Was formed in 1873 by Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia.
• The 3 countries agreed to stay neutral if one was attacked.
• Problems arose due to Germany’s attempts to mediate Russia & Austria-Hungary’s Balkan conflict. This made Russia Suspicious of German policy.
Diagram required.

11. The Dual Alliance • Formed in 1879 between Germany & Austria-Hungary
• They believed Russia would not fulfill their agreement in the Three Emperor’s League.
• They agreed to help each other if one was attacked by Russia.
• Russia was given an ultimatum: Renew the 3 Emperor’s League alliance, or change sides. It chose to renew the 3 Emperor’s League.
Done.

12. Triple Alliance
• Italy sought to spite France after the 1881 seizure of Tunisia, a potential Italian colony.
• In 1882 the Dual Alliance (between Austria-Hungary and Germany) became the Triple Alliance with the inclusion of Italy.
• Italy entered into negotiations with France in 1900.
• Italy agreed not to join Germany in a war with France, effectively removing themselves from the Triple Alliance.

13. Reinsurance Treaty
• Russia refused to renew the Three Emporer’s League a third time after fallings out with Austria-Hungary.
• Bismarck (Germany) entered into a secret agreement with Russia known as the “Reinsurance Treaty,”
• They agreed both countries would remain neutral in the event of a war with a third country.
• The deal would be negated if Germany attacked France or if Russia attacked Austria-Hungary.

14. Along came Kaiser Wilhelm II
• Fired Bismarck in 1890
• Refused to renew the “Reinsurance Treaty,” to make way for Britain to enter the Triple Alliance.
• As a result of this, in 1984 Russia and France agreed to give each other mutual military aid in the event that they were attacked by Germany.
• This was known as the “Dual Entente.”

15. Triple Entente
• In 1896, Germany threatened Britian’s Naval superiority.
• In 1904, Britain signed an agreement with France settling all Colonial differences.
• This was known as the “Entente Cordiale.”
• In 1907 Russia and France entered into an agreement known as the “Anglo-Russian Entente.”
• These two agreements were collectively known as the “Triple Entente.”

16. Triple Entente Triple Alliance • Britain •France • Russia • Germany
• Austria-Hungary
Vs.
These alliances remained in place for the duration of the First World War.