Germany+v.+Russia

The Alliance System Narrative -
=__Reasons for the alliance system -__=

__Bismarck__
In 1871 a collection of German states had formed the German Reich (empire). Created by the Prussian ‘Iron chancellor’ Otto Von Bismarck. By 1890 Germany seemed a united and powerful nation. This was all thanks to Otto Von Bismarck.

__Franco-Prussian War__
The Franco-Prussian War was waged between France and Prussia and the German States from July 15th 1870 to February 1st 1871. Even though the war was short, it dramatically changed European history. The overwhelming victory of the German States under **the leadership** **of Prussia in this war made the creation of a unified German Empire**. It also brought the fall of the French Empire of Napoleon III which was replaced by the Third Republic. The war marked the final step in Germany's rise to the position of a major continental power. As part of the settlement, the territory of **Alsace-Lorraine** was taken by Germany, which it would retain until after World War One. 

__Dreikaiserbund - Three Emperor's League__
In 1872-3 Bismarck supported the creation of the Three Emperors’ League (Dreikaiserbund). This consisted of Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary.

How the 'Dreikaiserbund' came about -->
The Balkan Crisis of 1875-8 made it difficult for Bismarck to maintain good relations with both Austria-Hungary and Russia. He chose to work more closely with Austria-Hungary. In 1879 they created the Dual Alliance; **Austria-Hungary and Germany** promised to give each other full support if either were attacked by Russia. The treaty caused a ‘**Germanic’** block in Europe. Bismarck didn’t view the alliance as anti-Russian. He wanted a more secure Austria-Hungary be more prepared to cooperate with Russia. He also thought that the Dual Alliance might frighten Russia into improving relations with Germany.
 * In 1881 Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary signed a new Dreikaiserbund, agreeing that each country could count on the neutrality of its partners it if was at war with another power.**

__Alsace Loraine__
When Germany took control of Alsace Loraine before the war, it created a huge tension between her and France. The french were very keen to regain back their lost territory that Germany took after France's humiliating defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. **This contributed to the war** because it already created a tension between Germany and France and a possible war between them anyways.

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__Triple Entente__
**Edward Grey** was convinced that Germany was a potential threat and so he wanted to improve relations with Russia. Negotiations for a Anglo-Russian agreement began in 1906. They disputed Persia, Tibet and Afghanistan. An agreement was reached in 1907; Persia was divided into three zones; northern Russian zone; a southern British zone; and a neutral zone separating the two. Although Russia cheated permanently on the Persian agreement, Grey was determined to maintain good relations. This was a sign that Europe, not the empire; was now the focal point of British Policy. The Triple Entente was not even an alliance, Britain had no precise continents. In 1914 no one knew for certain what Britain’s’ response to the crisis would be; until Germany invaded Belgium the British cabinet was deeply divided over Britain’s course of action.

__Triple Aliance__

 * The Triple Aliance** was an alliance between **Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy**. It started of as a Dual Alliance with only Germany and Austria-Hungary, but changed when Italy joined them. An alliance was a far more stronger than the entente between Russia, Britain, and France. **This contributed to the war** because once Austria was in debate with Serbia over Bosnia, Germany gave Austria a Blank Check, which meant that she will suppot and back up Austria if she decided to go to war with Serbia. Which obviously created tension with Russia as she was backing up Serbia.



=__Affects of the alliance systems -__=

__Schlieffen Plan__

 * The Schlieffen Plan** was brought up by Count Alfred von Schlieffen who was Chief of the Getman General Staff to attempt to avoid a war on two-fronts. It consisted of taking out France by passing through Belgium (as France increased her boundary security), turning the army around and attacking Russia. The plan was supposed to be activated before Russia was mobilized an ready for a war so Germany would not have Russia flooding in her troops into Germany, ending up with Germany being attacked on both sides (war on two-fronts). **This factor contributed to the outbrake of World War One** because when Germany was exchanging telegrams with Russia (the Willy-Nicky telegrams), Russia was trying to convince Germany to stay away and out of the conflict, she was mobilizing her army at the same time. This forced the Kaiser to believe that Russia was getting ready for war, so as the Schlieffen Plan had to be activated before Russia was ready, Germany sent her troops straight away through Belgium to attack France.

The crossing of Germany through Belgium provoked Britain who was in an entente with Belgium as Belgium was a neutral country and needed protection. This made Britain declare war on Germany, and World War One was born from that moment with everyone declaring war with everyone else. The same point is argued by John Röhl in his essay 'Germany': "...any German with inside information on how the war really begun kne that the responsibility for the catastrophe lay principally not with France, or Russia, or Britain, but with a small handfull of men in Vienna and Berlin". As well as Röhl, in 1997 Holger Herwig agrred that "the leaders in Berlin... saw war as the only solution". = =

[] This is a good website that clearly outlines the Triple Alliance and Triple Entente. It contains a map that color codes out everything, making each countries allies visable.
 * __Web link about the Triple Alliance and Triple Entente__**

__**Web link about the Schlieffen Plan**__ []

__Web links about the Alliance systems__
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