The Pre-WWI Alliance System: Triple Entente v. Triple Alliance
The alliance system in Europe was one of the causes of the First World War (1914-18), although it did not make war inevitable. In the first decade of the 20th century, the Triple Entente powers of Great Britain, France, and Russia stood against the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (which remained neutral when war broke out but then joined the Entente powers in 1915). The terms of each state's commitment to its allies varied, but a general promise of aid was either stated or inferred. It was hoped that the system of alliances would create a balance of power, deter aggression, and maintain peace, but the alliances only added to a long list of other causes of WWI. In the end, signatures on paper became subservient to each nation's determination to either remain or become a global power, which resulted in leaders and generals competing for control of the territory and resources of other nations.
The Triple Entente Powers
Britain was a well-established parliamentary democracy in the early 20th century. The monarchy, in the form of George V (reign 1910-1936), was little more than a figurehead of government. The British Empire enclosed some 400 million people in over 50 countries. Thanks to the Industrial Revolution and following centuries of imperialism around the globe, Britain's resources and military (especially its navy, the largest in the world) made it the most powerful and wealthiest country of all. Britain's position of dominance was being challenged by both the United States and Germany, the former in economic terms and the latter via an arms race. In 1904, the Entente Cordiale began, which saw closer diplomatic relations between Britain and France, removing conflicts of interest in Africa and Asia, but not covering mutual assistance in the case of a war in Europe. Germany, however, suspected a secret clause in the Entente Cordiale which did promise mutual military aid, such was the air of suspicion in European diplomacy in this period. In 1907, the Anglo-Russian Convention was signed, which diffused tensions over rival claims to Afghanistan, Tibet, and Persia (modern Iran). In 1912, Britain and France strengthened their alliance, with the former promising the formation of an expeditionary force to be sent to France if required.
France was a democratic republic headed by an elected president. Unlike in Britain, the French government contained a number of generals. The French Empire included North and West Africa and governed 60 million people. However, this empire was in decline, with a notable defeat to Prussia in 1870 (Prussia later became a part of Germany). France had once dominated world trade, but here, too, it was in decline by 1914. France formed an alliance with Russia in 1894, which promised mutual aid should they be attacked by Germany, Italy, or Austria-Hungary. In 1911, German interference in French Morocco, in an incident known as the Agadir or Moroccan Crisis, further heightened the tensions between the European powers. Britain supported France, and Germany backed down but gained a slice of Congo as compensation. The incident meant that European powers now suspected Germany was intent on war sooner or later.
Russia was not a democracy but was ruled by Tsar Nicholas II (reign 1894-1917). The Tsar's autocratic rule had already been challenged by the failed Russian Revolution of 1905. The Russian Empire included around 160 million people, but there were many ethnic groups and nationalities, some of which wanted to break away from the empire and rule themselves. Russia was behind the more advanced nations in terms of the modernisation brought about by the Industrial Revolution. Around 80% of the population worked in agriculture, and their poverty meant most farmers were one bad harvest away from famine. In 1907, Britain, France, and Russia joined together in the Triple Entente. Henceforth, these countries and those states that later joined them were often called the Allies.
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⇒ The Pre-WWI Alliance System: Triple Entente v. Triple Alliance
