Alliances in World War I

The alliance system brought the Triple Alliance between Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary. Now the question turns to the alliance system between France and Russia and why it was formed. Russian anger towards Germany stemmed from the Congress of Berlin. Another reason for the alliance with France was economical. In 1887 Germany had banned the sale of Russian bonds being sold on the German stock exchange. This move weakened the Russian economy and Russia was in need of financial support. By forming an alliance with France, Russia was able to get the financial aid that it needed to support its economy.

The Triple Alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy only further convinced France and Russia to join an alliance. This was because in the Triple Alliance Italy, Germany, and Austria-Hungary each agreed to declare war on Russia or France if any member of the Triple Alliance was attacked by them. These were the main reasons for the Franco-Russian Dual Alliance.

The beginning of the twentieth century brought about a great deal of change in British foreign policy. England wanted to remain isolated and not get involved in any European Alliances. However, England became very concerned with the power that Germany had in its navy because they felt threatened in the security of their empire. As a result a naval race between the two countries ensued and England found itself the need to form an alliance for protection from Germany. In 1904 England and France formed an alliance.

The agreement was called the Entente Cordiale. An important reason for the alliance was to settle colonial disputes. A key issue between the two countries was ownership over Morocco. With the formation of France was given complete control of Morocco while England, which wanted to condense its empire, got permission from France to use its naval base.

In 1907 England and Russia formed an alliance. This alliance was set up to settle border disputes and territorial differences. The alliance helped settle boundary issues about Persia, Afghanistan and Tibet. On Russia's behalf the alliance with England was meant to strengthen it against a possible attack by Germany and to improve relations between the two countries. Russia had realized that after their defeat by Japan the previous year, they were in desperate need of allies. The three alliances set up between France and Russia, England and France, England and Russia made up the Triple Entente that opposed the Triple Alliance in Europe.