The alliance system

• German states were unified in 1871 after winning the Franco-Prussian War.
• Otto von Bismarck was Geraman chancellor from 1871 to 1890
• Otto von Bismarck effectively controlled Geramn policy making .
• weltpolitik


  foreign policy

  Considered the whole world
• Otto von Bismarck looked to build alliances between countries of Europe
• Geramny was a threat to the balance of power in Europe because they had rapidly industrilised and had a strong military after the series of wars leading to unification
• Otto von Bismarck prioritised keeping the balnce of power stable in Europe to prevent outbreak of war
• Otto von Bismarck wanted to consolidate Germany
• To consolidate Germany there needed to be peace in Europe so Bismarck began making alliances with European powers
• Consolidate


  Strengthen position/power
• Realpolitik


  Policy based on practical considerations
• The triple alliance was a secret agreement between Germany ,Austria-Hungary and Italy in 1882
• The triple alliance promised support in the case of attack by France ,keeping peace in Europe and isolating France
• The league of 3 emperors was formed in 1872 between Russia ,Geramny and Austria-Hungary
• Conflict between Russia and Austria-Hungary made it diffcult for them to be in the same alliance
• Geramny made a secret treaty in 1887 with Russia called the 'Reinsurance treaty'
• The 'Reinsurance treaty' agreed the ally would reamin neutral if the other country went to war with another European country
• Bismarck had great political skills shown by his making of the treaties
• Bismarck hoped to make Germany indispensable to European policy
• There was a danger of alliances formed by Bismarck falling aprt if a less skilled statesman was in charge
• The Franco-Russsian allliance was formed between France and Russsia in 1892
• Bismarck was forced to resign by Kaiser Wilhelm in 1890 ,causing his alliances from the 1880s to become damged
• Bismarck's successor didn't want to continue the 'Reinsurance treaty' causing Russia to become closer to France
• The Franco-Russian alliance threatened Geramany as it could be attacked from both the east and the west in the outbreak of war
• The 'Entente cordiale' was an informal agreement between Great Britain and France signed in 1904 .It was later joined by Russia to form the 'Triple entente'
• The 'Entente cordiale' agreed not to argue over colonies
• Entente


  Friendly understanding or informal agreement
• Alliance


  Formal agreement that benefits countries involved
• The 'Triple entente' began military discussions in 1906
• The triple entente shows Bismarck's efforts didn't succeed as Europe was divided