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The alliance system and international rivalry, 1905 to 14
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By 1914 Europe's great powers were divided into two armed camps. Rivalries over empire, trade and armies made war more likely.
The two alliances
Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy (from 1882).
Triple Entente: France, Russia and Britain. France and Russia were allies from 1894; Britain reached agreements with France (the Entente Cordiale, 1904) and Russia (1907).
Triple Entente: France, Russia and Britain. France and Russia were allies from 1894; Britain reached agreements with France (the Entente Cordiale, 1904) and Russia (1907).
Rivalries
Germany and Britain: naval, trade and imperial rivalry.
Germany and France: France wanted revenge for losing Alsace-Lorraine in 1871.
Austria-Hungary and Russia: rivals for influence in the Balkans.
All powers built up large armies and made war plans.
Germany and France: France wanted revenge for losing Alsace-Lorraine in 1871.
Austria-Hungary and Russia: rivals for influence in the Balkans.
All powers built up large armies and made war plans.
Why alliances mattered
Alliances were meant to deter attack, but they meant a local quarrel could drag in all the great powers.
Each side feared the other was trying to encircle it.
Each side feared the other was trying to encircle it.
Explain how the alliance system made a general war more likely.
- Each great power had promised to support its allies.
- A conflict between two powers could draw in their allies.
- So a local dispute could quickly become a European war.
Answer: Alliance commitments could turn a local conflict into a war between all the great powers.
Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy. Triple Entente: France, Russia, Britain. Rivalries: Anglo-German (navy and empire), Franco-German (Alsace-Lorraine), Austro-Russian (Balkans). Alliances could turn a local conflict into a general war.
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