WWI Alliances

AllianceAn agreement among people or nations to unitefor a common cause. Each member of analliance agrees to help the other members incase one is attacked.

How could Germany’s location in Europe be a problem for them?

Germany in the Middle

Germany’s big problem was that it was in the middle of Europe. That made it vulnerable if it

came to war.

In the 19th century, Germany’s brilliant Chancellor, Bismarck, solved this problem by keeping friends

with Russia and Austria-Hungary

Then Bismarck allied with Italy and Austria-Hungary (the Triple Alliance). Together with his friendship with Russia, this kept Germany safe.

But when Kaiser Wilhelm became Emperor, he dumped the Russian alliance. He kept the Triple Alliance, but this did NOT solve the problem of Germany’s encirclement.

The Triple Entente

In 1907 Russia joined Britain and France to make the Triple Entente. By 1914 Europe had divided into two massive superpower blocks.

What sparked it all?

The events that followed…

Because of the assignation of Archduke FranzFerdinand in June of 1914 by a member of anationalistic secret Serbian society, the emperorof Austria-Hungary declared war of Serbia.

The events that followed…

Russia sent troops to defend Serbia becauseRussia had a separate treaty with Serbia. Russia supported Serbia because they were both of a similar ethnic backgrounds.

The events that followed…

Since Germany had a treaty with Austria-Hungary (the Triple Alliance), Germany declaredwar on Russia.

The events that followed…

France had a treaty with Russia (the TripleEntente) so Germany declared war against France.

The events that followed…

Things changed during the warThe Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente turned into these two WWI alliances.

The Centra

l power

sAustri

a-Hunga

ryGerma

nyTurkey (Ottoman

Empire)

The Allied Power

sRussiaFranceUnited Kingdo

mItaly

United States

The Triple Entente plus more formed the Allied Powers

The Triple Alliance plus more formed the Center Powers