The Alliance System Flashcards
Which countries were known as the six ‘Great Powers’ of Europe at the beginning of the 20th century whose main aims were to ensure their country’s safety and trading opportunities?
Great Britain France Russia Germany Italy Austria-Hungary
What was the name given to the alliance formed by Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary in 1882?
The Triple Alliance
What was the name given to the alliance formed by Russia and France in 1894?
The Dual Alliance (also called The Franco-Russian Agreements)
What was the name given to the alliance formed by Great Britain and France in 1904?
The Entente Cordiale
What was the name given to the alliance formed by Great Britain, France and Russia in 1907 that counteracted the Triple Alliance of 1882?
The Triple Entente
What was the name given to the secret alliance formed between Italy and France which agreed the following: if Germany attacked France, Italy would remain neutral.
The Franco-Italian Alliance; in 1914, Italy did remain neutral by claiming that Germany’s attack on France was “aggressive.” In 1915, Italy joined the Triple Entente.
How and when was Germany unified?
Germany was unified after Otto von Bismark started the Franco-Prussian war (1870 - 1871) against France. The peace treaty gave Alsace-Lorraine, an important industrial area, to Germany. After the formation of the Second Reich (1871 - 1918), German politicians were worried that France might attack again to retrieve its land.
Which country was a large empire in central Europe containing many nationalities, of whom some i.e. the Balkans, wanted independence?
Austria-Hungary
Which country, formed in 1861, did not have strong industrial or military power and so allied itself with other countries to be more powerful?
Italy
Which country was the largest of the six powers, but the least developed?
Russia; whose main concern was that Germany would expand into its territory and Austria-Hungary would take measures against the Slavs in their empire.
Why didn’t Great Britain form alliances when other countries were?
GB had the largest empire and navy in the world, and therefore believed to be undefeatable and lived in “splendid isolation.”
With which country did Great Britain have an alliance with since 1839?
Belgium
