Alliances

• Revolutionary Wars


  Alliance = between rulers and often via marriage etc. ​

  A series of Coalitions formed to stop the spread of Revolutionary ideas = Coalitions vs France.

  Britain was also concerned about threats to the Empire – Don’t want to let threatening powers have bases to attack Britain from.

  First Coalition = Very loose alliance – nations failed to come together and separate peace deals were reached (Eg Treaty of Basel with Prussia) 7

  Second Coalition = still loose but with added quarrels – failed to support each other (Austria & Russia). ​
• Napoleonic Wars


  Third Coalition = quickly defeated through disasters such Ulm and Austerlitz – poor coordination with Austrians and Russians using different calendars.

  Fourth Coalition = Mutual suspicions and French Victories (Jena & Auerstadt, Friedland) = Napoleon, Master of Europe.

  After Russia the Powers came together in a more united way = Victory at the Battle of Nations, Leipzig. Treaty of Chaumont 1814 = agreed aims – no separate peace deals! Napoleon’s 100 days ended at Waterloo against a solid alliance.
• Small Wars


  Alliance had limited impact on the outcome of the Crimean war but did affect Austria in the long term​

  Austria was fearful of Russian expansion so ENDED its alliance with Great Britian and France in the war
• American Civil War


  South lacked resources = weaker than North (relied on FR or Gb helping)​

  Jefferson Davis tried to secure European support – nothing came from this​

  South needed to purchase military weapon, GB and FR cotton demand could lead to an agreement​

  BATTLE - After BATTLE of Bull Run, GB and FR contemplated helping however that would recognise the south as a separate place so didn't 
• Small Wars


  FR defeat therefore due to PR strength -  mainly in mobilisation and railway and Krupp breech-loading artillery, BATTLE = Sedan​

  BATTLE = 1st Balkan War, Turkey showed limitations of even a regional alliance of powers with a common enemy 
• WW1


  Dual Alliance: France and Russia formed the Dual Alliance for mutual aid against Germany.

  Chantilly military conferences: The first proper allied military conference took place in Chantilly in July 1915, with further meetings following.

  British support: Britain worked as the 'junior partner' on the Western Front, assisting the French, such as during the Battle of the Somme to relieve pressure at Verdun.

  USA in war: The Allies had 65% of the world's manufacturing output compared to Germany's 19%.

  Doullens: Allies agreed to appoint Foch as Generalissimo, improving cooperation significantly.
• WW2


  Common Goal, Not Ideals: The Allies were united by a common goal rather than common ideals - Grand Alliance

  Nazi-Soviet Pact 1939: Russia had previously made a deal with Germany to share Poland.

  USA Joins the Allies: The USA joined the Allies after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

  Unified Forces: Allied forces were more unified under Supreme Commanders such as Alexander (Italy) and Eisenhower (D-Day).

  Shared Resources: The Allies shared resources through initiatives like Lend-Lease and Arctic convoys to Russia.