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Transcript: Alliance System in WWI | Definition, Cause & Effect

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Learn all about the alliance system. Understand the alliance system definition, learn how the alliance system caused
WWI, and see the fall of the alliances.

Utter Distrust
By the start of the 1910s, much of Europe had little trust for its neighbors. The British and Germans had
been locked into a warship building race for years while the revolutionary activities of the Balkans gave
everyone from Vienna to Constantinople no small amount of unrest.

It was clear that as the armies and navies of the great states of Europe grew more powerful, there was a
need for alliances to stop any aggression. After all, it was an alliance that had checked Napoleon, and
with the potential of a new aggressor in the German Empire, that need for alliances was renewed.

Central Powers
Ironically, while many would think that alliances were begun to protect against Germany, the German
Empire was actually the founder of the oldest alliance that would come into play. The Dual Alliance of
1879 was sought with the Austro-Hungarian Empire to protect against Russia. Germany had a long
border with Russia while the Austrians had plenty of ethnic groups that were more Russian than Austro-
Hungarian. This would eventually evolve into the Central Powers, given their central position in Europe.

In many ways, given the fact that the Bulgarians

and Ottoman Turks joined, it was an alliance
against Russia. However, there was more. The
French and British had been destabilizing large
amounts of the Ottoman Empire in Morocco and
Egypt. Now, German experts could help
modernize the Sick Man of Europe, as the
Ottoman state was referred to. However, they
would not officially join the military alliance until
after the war began.

Leaders of the Central Powers included: Kaiser Wilhelm II of

Triple Entente Germany; King Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary; Sultan Mehmed V
of the Ottoman Empire; Tsar Ferdinand of Bulgaria.
So what about those countries that faced off
against the Central Powers? Remember, the Dual
Alliance was created to protect against Russia. However, the Russians knew that the key to defeating
the Germans was to attack it from multiple sides. Luckily, they found a willing partner in the French. The
French had a bone to pick with the Germans, as the French had lost the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-
1871. As a result, the Franco-Russian Alliance was signed in 1894.
But what about the United Kingdom? The British were quite happy to let things remain chaotic on the
Continent. After all, that meant more time that they could spend on the colonies. However, by 1904
things were starting to change. The Germans were building a massive fleet and had even established
colonies around the world. As such, the British and the French signed the Entente Cordiale in 1904,
which was mostly about colonies but nonetheless pointed at Germany. A similar treaty, the Triple
Entente, with Britain, Russia, and France was signed in 1907.

There was a catch, though. Britain would only go

to war if the neutrality of Belgium was threatened.
Don't get the wrong idea; this wasn't about
keeping tiny Belgium safe. Instead, this was about
making sure that there was a buffer against
Germany launching into the English Channel and
the sea lanes around London.

Dominoes Falling
This may start to sound like a recipe for disaster
that needed only a spark to go off in a tower of
flames. That's exactly what happened:

The crown prince of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by

a Serbian nationalist
Serbia, a small ally of Russia, refused to submit to the
Austrians.
Russia backed up Serbia against the Austro-Hungarians.
Germany backed up Austria-Hungary against the
Russians.
France pledged to protect Russia against Germany and
Austria.

The upper inscription means agreement and the poster contains the After all that, there was a lull of sorts. However,
female personifications of France, Russia, and Britain.
that soon ended. The Ottomans entered the war
as a chance to protect themselves against Russia
and Russia-friendly states in the Balkans, as well as to demonstrate their loyalty to the Germans.

For a few weeks, Britain did nothing. Then, Germany turned its attention to France. The German plans
for war with France called for the bulk of the German army to race through Belgium to capture Paris.
However, that was exactly what caused the British to enter the war. World War I had begun.

Lesson Summary
Alright, let's review. By the 1900s, Europe was caught up in a system of alliances that were just waiting
to swing into action. The French and Russians wanted to contain the Germans while the Germans and
Austrians wanted to defend against the Russians. Meanwhile, Britain was distrustful of Germany but
really wanted to make sure that its Channel was safe by guaranteeing the neutrality of Belgium. Finally,
the Ottomans were eager to support the Germans and protect against Russia-friendly states in the
Balkans.