Table of Contents
An opening
The alliance system was the cause of WW1.
Formation and expansion of alliances
Loyalty to one another through alliances
Alliance between major powers and hostility between them
In conclusion
Introduction
This is an introduction to the topic. It is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter and to explain what will be discussed.
World War I was a violent conflict that erupted between several European countries. The conflict began on July 28, 1914 and ended on November 18, 1918. The war saw two main alliances. The triple alliance included Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary and Russia. The triple Entente was Russia, Britain, France. In 1882, the secret agreement of the triple alliances between Germany and Italy was signed. It was then renewed every 5 years. The Franco-Russian alliance gave rise to the agreement that was made in 1907 between France, Britain, and Russia.
The alliance system was so complex that all the countries in it were either in ongoing conflict with one another or had agreements with another. This meant that every country that declared war to another country was immediately thrown into war. WW1 was thus primarily caused by the allies. This essay examines how the alliance system contributed to World War 1. “In 1879 Germany, Austria-Hungary and Austria-Hungary formally formed a dual-alliance. In 1882, the triple alliance was expanded to include Italy. They agreed to support one another in case of attack by Russia or France. It was renewed each five years.” This is a testament to the speed and efficiency of the formation and expansion the triple alliance. It started out as a two-country alliance. Within three years it had expanded to include Italy.
The book also shows another example: “The formation in 1907 of the triple Entente by Britain, France, and Russia reinforced our need for allegiance.” This supports the main thesis. It is clear that the triple Entente was created to strengthen the need to alliance. Also, it evolved from the FrancoRussian alliance to counterbalance any threat the triple alliance presented to the FrancoRussian alliance at that time. Which is why it strengthened our need for allegiance. This is a sign that the growth and expansion in alliances was a significant cause for the outbreak WW1. The conflicts would not have been limited to those directly involved.
Loyalty to one another is the second reason why the alliance system was so important in the outbreak of World War 1. This is due to the loyalty and devotion of many alliances to one another. France, Great Britain, Russia and Italy signed an agreement that allows for military and naval cooperation between Italy and the allied powers. This shows that the three-country alliance decided as a group, rather than making secret deals with other countries. “Germany’s unconditional support for Austria-Hungary, regardless of the course of action it took regarding Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination.”
This supports my point because Germany was, without any doubt, supportive of Austria-Hungary’s invasion of Serbia. Without Germany’s support Austria-Hungary could not have entered war. This shows that the alliances were loyal and supported each other. The war grew because of tension that existed prior to the war.
The alliance system was created because of the coalition of major powers and the hostility they have between each other. “In 1914, six of the most powerful European nations split into two competing Alliances. The Triple Alliance, which included Germany and Austria-Hungary as well as Italy, was created in 1882. The Triple Entente, which included Britain and France, was founded in 1907. Each country had reasons to distrust other countries in Europe. This shows how all countries and alliances were fully armed.
Another example is that “Austria declared its war against Serbia. The Russian military was prepared to defend Serbia and Germany sends a message to Russia asking them to not help Serbia. Germany then declared war in Russia. The French army prepares for a German invasion by being placed on a military footing. After Germany invades Belgium, Britain declares war on Germany. This shows that all countries are supporting different countries and playing a part in making this war a global war.
This system of two competing alliances is what explains the significance of impersonal forces in the triggering WWI. It was the result of leaders of the alliances fighting to maintain the balance of power. Bipolar division was crucial in the creation of war because it reflected conflictive and corresponding interests. The power vacuum created by the breakdown of the Concert of Europe meant that those forces which were supposed to be helping to “keep peace” turned into general conflicts once the conflict erupted. In addition, secret alliances and the lack of an informal arbiter revealed cracks that led to an increase in the probability of war.
ConclusionEach alliance believed it was superior to the other and could do more. This made Austro-German allies so aggressive, right up until the war and even through the Bosnian crisis. Each group believed it was strong enough to take power. This alarming thought led to Austro-German allies being so aggressive in the decade leading up to the war and the Bosnian crisis. The German government’s commitment to Austria-Hungary with Russia’s counter threat if Serbia-Hungary attacked Serbia made this alliance a tool for animosity. It was evident that certain powers were unable to control their hostility, which led to the outbreak WW1. The alliance system, which created hatred among each other and drove nations to war, was the primary cause of the outbreak WW1.
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