CAMBRIDGE AS HISTORY: THE ORIGINS OF WORLD WAR 1. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ALLIANCE SYSTEM. Contains: Europe's main powers in 1900, Bismarck's alliances, opposition to Germany, implications of the alliances.

1. CAMBRIDGEAS
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THEORIGINS
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2. EUROPE’S MAIN POWERS IN 1900
Austria-Hungary: dual monarchy; regarded Germany as its best ally;
interests in the Balkans.
Britain: constitutional monarchy; more interested in its overseas empire
than in European affairs; distrust of France; saw Russia as a threat.
France: republic; many politicians wanted revenge on Germany for defeat
in Franco–Prussian War (1871); friendly with Russia; distrusted Britain and
Austria-Hungary.
Germany: Bismarck (1871–90) aimed to isolate France; after 1890, Kaiser
Wilhelm II wanted to increase German power; feared being encircled by
France and Russia.
Russia: absolute monarchy; rivalry with Austria-Hungary in the Balkans.
Turkey: absolute monarchy; losing control over its empire.

3. BISMARCK’S ALLIANCES
Aims: to isolate France and prevent Germany facing enemies to both east
and west.
Dreikaiserbund 1873: agreement between Germany, Russia and Austria-
Hungary; unsuccessful due to disputes between Russia and Austria-
Hungary in the Balkans.
Dual Alliance 1879: Germany and Austria-Hungary; agreed to help each
other if attacked by Russia and remain neutral if attacked by another
country; alliance was kept secret (to avoid angering Russia).
Triple Alliance 1882: Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy; agreed to help
one another if attacked by any other great power; weaknesses of the Triple
Alliance.
Reinsurance Treaty 1887: Germany and Russia would remain neutral
unless Germany attacked France or Russia went to war with Austria-
Hungary; Wilhelm II did not renew this treaty.

5. OPPOSITION TO GERMANY
Franco–Russian Alliance 1894: France and Russia feared the Triple
Alliance; like the Triple Alliance, this was a defensive agreement.
Entente Cordiale 1904: Britain’s fear of being isolated; advantages of
the Entente Cordiale to both Britain and France.
Anglo–Russian Entente 1907: defensive agreement leading to the
Triple Entente.

6. IMPLICATIONS OF THE ALLIANCES
Two rival sets of alliances: both the Triple Alliance and the Triple
Entente were established as defensive alliances; members made no
firm commitments, but the secrecy of their terms caused concern.
Securing peace: the existence of the alliances helped to prevent war
emerging from crises in Africa and the Balkans 1900–10.
1914: the alliances were one reason for the outbreak of the First World
War in 1914.