Triple Alliance And The Triple Entente example essay topic

After the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, the German Chancellor Bismarck started the alliance system which increased the international tension and paved the way for the First World War. By 1908, Europe was firmly divided into two opposing camps. On one side stood the Triple Alliance which consists of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy. On the other said stood the Triple Entente which consists of France, Russia and Britain. They believe that their allies would give them military support if war broke out.

So, the allied countries would be less willing to solve their conflicts peacefully. For example, Serbia refused to solve Sarajevo Assassination peacefully with Austria-Hungary because of the Russian support. As a result, the Great War broke out. The alliance system increased tension among the European powers. Mutual suspicions and fears deepened, particularly due to the secret terms of the alliances. At most details of the alliances were kept strictly secret; the powers watched each other's moves suspiciously.

Germany regarded the Triple Entente as an obstacle to her commercial expansion and the building of colonial empire. France also looked upon the Triple Alliance as an attempt to stop her from getting Alsace-Lorraine back. This increased the tension among the European powers and! K! K!

K! K... Also, the alliance system also heightened the armament race between the two armed camps as a result of the insecurity the alliance system had created. They thought that the best guarantee to secure their security was to build their own armament. Between 1872 and 1912, the military expenditures of the major powers of Europe increased over 200%.

In addition, the alliance system would turn a local conflict into a general war. By August 1914, all the European powers except Italy were involved in a general war. A local conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia had developed into a major European War. The alliance system was brought into effect. The two armed camps, the Triple Alliance (except Italy) and the Triple Entente, were at war. Besides alliance system, there are other underlying causes which contributed to the outbreak of the WWI.

Ultra nationalism made the European powers tried at all costs to strengthen their own position in Europe and the world. They are willing to take any action to promote their national interests, regardless of its effect on the others. This intensified the international disputes over colonies and economic and diplomatic rivalries in Europe and increased the European tension. Armament race brought fear and suspicion among the powers. It was also against this background that the risk of war increased and Europe moved further towards a world war. Imperial rival, though it did not directly led to the outbreak of the WWI, it worsen the relationship among the powers and increased their misunderstandings.

Although alliance system was an important cause of the WWI, the other factors such as imperial rivalry, armament race and ultra nationalism should not be neglected.