THE ALLIANCE SYSTEM The Build up to World War One

Alliances Alliances are like friendships between nations These can change over time Nations in alliances back each other up in times of conflict Before WW1, the nations of Europe formed alliances

Alliance One 1879 Germany allied with Austria in in 1879 Three years later, Italy joined This was called the TRIPLE ALLIANCE

Alliance Two France and Russia feared that they could be attacked by the Triple Alliance They agreed in 1892 to help each other out if either was attacked

Alliance Three Britain became worried because Germany was becoming so powerful Britain had no Allies because she was building her empire Britain decided to make an agreement with France This was the ENTENTE CORDIALE

Alliance four 1907 Britain then made a similar agreement with Russia Russia was already in alliance with France This was called the TRIPLE ENTENTE

Two ARMED CAMPS By 1907 Europe was clearly divided. On one side was the TRIPLE ALLIANCE GERMANY AUSTRIA-HUNGARY ITALY On the other was the TRIPLE ENTENTE GREAT BRITAIN FRANCE RUSSIA

Two ARMED CAMPS Both alliances were powerful and well armed If an argument started between two of them it would spread rapidly