Bismarck established a system of alliances to ensure German security after unification in 1871. This included the Dual Alliance with Austria-Hungary in 1879 and the Triple Alliance adding Italy in 1882. Kaiser Wilhelm abandoned this system in 1890, pursuing a more aggressive foreign policy that led France and Russia to form the Franco-Russian Alliance in 1894 for security. In response to rising tensions, Britain and France formed the Entente Cordiale in 1904 and Britain and Russia the Anglo-Russian Entente in 1907. The existence of these rival alliances increased tensions in Europe and an arms race broke out, contributing to the outbreak of World War 1 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary

1. CAMBRIDGEAS
HISTORYREVISION
AGEOFIMPERIALISM
1.4 THEALLIANCESYSTEMINEUROPE

2. UNIFICATIONOFGERMANY1871
Franco–Prussian War: creation of German Empire in 1871; Germany’s
vulnerable geographical location.
Bismarck’s foreign-policy aims: to ensure the security of the newly
united Germany.

3. BISMARCKALLIANCES
Dreikaiserbund 1873: Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia; weak due
to disputes between Austria-Hungary and Russia.
Dual Alliance 1879: Germany and Austria-Hungary.
Triple Alliance 1882: Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy.
Reinsurance Treaty 1887: Bismarck wanting to maintain friendly
relations with Russia.
Secrecy: terms of these treaties were secret; caused alarm in France,
Britain, etc.

4. KAISERWILHELMII
Dismissal of Bismarck 1890: Kaiser takes control of foreign policy.
Adoption of a more aggressive foreign policy: imperial expansion;
naval development; ending of Reinsurance Treaty; Kruger telegram.

5. UNITINGAGAINSTGERMANY
Franco–Russian Alliance 1894: France and Russia seeking security; fear
of Triple Alliance.
Entente Cordiale 1904: Britain and France; Britain feared becoming
isolated; made France feel more secure.
Anglo–Russian Entente 1907: Britain saw Germany as a threat to its
interests in the Far East; Russia feared the Triple Alliance.

6. RIVALALLIANCES
Triple Alliance versus Triple Entente: existence of rival alliances led to
increased tensions.
Arms race: naval rivalry between Germany and Britain; conscription in
France.
Development of war plans: Schlieffen Plan.

7. CAUSESOFTHEWORLDWAR
Disputes in the Balkans: rivalry between Austria-Hungary and Russia.
Nationalism: within the Habsburg Empire, especially in Serbia.
Sarajevo: Austria-Hungary’s reaction to assassination of Archduke Franz
Ferdinand.
Outbreak of war: Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia; Russia
declares war on Austria-Hungary; other countries dragged in.
Japan and USA enter the war: Japan entered in 1914 (gained from the
war); USA entered in 1917 due to German U-boat attacks.