France Done.

Geography • France if the largest country in Western Europe. • It shares borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy & Spain. • It has access via seas to Northern Europe, America and Africa. FRANCE Done.

Brief History • France held a Feudal regime until the 18th century. • During the 18th Century, the French Revolution replaced the Feudal system with a Republic. • Soon after, the 2nd Republic was established. • Napoleon III formed the 2nd Empire. • Prussia defeated France in the Franco-Prussian war (1871). • The Third Republic was established, the longest political regime since the revolution. • In 1914 France fought in WW1 Done.

The Third Republic • 1870 – 1940 • Formed after Prussia defeated France in the Franco-Prussian War (1871) • Presidents Adolphe Theirs and Albert Lebrun. • Tension caused by events such as the Boulangist Movement (1886 – 89) and the Dreyfus Affair (1894 – 99); which revealed deep political divisions within France. Done.

Economy France’s economy was affected by 3 major events – • The Napoleonic Era: Production of Military supplies etc. provided temporary economic boom, however this was hard to emulate during times of peace.) • Industrialization: Compared to it’s rivals Britain & Germany, France was considered to be behind in industrial technology.) • World War 1: Was disastrous for the economies of all parties. Done.

Military • During the Napoleonic Era, France was militarily brilliant. • France remained a powerful nation after Napoleon’s exile. • Small defeats such as that of the Hasburgs in the Franco-Austrian war of 1859 saw France become over confident. • France was defeated in the Franco- Prussian war, which led to the loss of Alsace-Lorraine and the creation of a united German empire. • With the British & Americans, France was able to hold on for 4 years to defeat Germany in WW1. Done.

Alignment with nations Russia: Russia and France distrusted each other due to conflicting political systems (Autocracy vs. Republic.) Mutual fear of Germany & Britain, and industrial financing led to an alliance in 1894. This was the core of the Triple Entente. Britain: Traditional enemies, France & Britain agreed upon an “entente” in 1904 as Britain was alarmed at their international isolation and the rising power of Germany. All Colonial differences between the pair were resolved. Germany: Germany’s possession of Alsace-Lorraine prevented reconciliation. Germany sought to isolate a possibly re-emergent France. Done.

Alliances Done.

5 Major Powers Russia Britain Germany France Austria-Hungary Done.

The Three Emperor’s League • Was formed in 1873 by Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia. • The 3 countries agreed to stay neutral if one was attacked. • Problems arose due to Germany’s attempts to mediate Russia & Austria-Hungary’s Balkan conflict. This made Russia Suspicious of German policy. Diagram required.

The Dual Alliance • Formed in 1879 between Germany & Austria-Hungary • They believed Russia would not fulfill their agreement in the Three Emperor’s League. • They agreed to help each other if one was attacked by Russia. • Russia was given an ultimatum: Renew the 3 Emperor’s League alliance, or change sides. It chose to renew the 3 Emperor’s League. Done.

Triple Alliance • Italy sought to spite France after the 1881 seizure of Tunisia, a potential Italian colony. • In 1882 the Dual Alliance (between Austria-Hungary and Germany) became the Triple Alliance with the inclusion of Italy. • Italy entered into negotiations with France in 1900. • Italy agreed not to join Germany in a war with France, effectively removing themselves from the Triple Alliance.

Reinsurance Treaty • Russia refused to renew the Three Emporer’s League a third time after fallings out with Austria-Hungary. • Bismarck (Germany) entered into a secret agreement with Russia known as the “Reinsurance Treaty,” • They agreed both countries would remain neutral in the event of a war with a third country. • The deal would be negated if Germany attacked France or if Russia attacked Austria-Hungary.

Along came Kaiser Wilhelm II • Fired Bismarck in 1890 • Refused to renew the “Reinsurance Treaty,” to make way for Britain to enter the Triple Alliance. • As a result of this, in 1984 Russia and France agreed to give each other mutual military aid in the event that they were attacked by Germany. • This was known as the “Dual Entente.”

Triple Entente • In 1896, Germany threatened Britian’s Naval superiority. • In 1904, Britain signed an agreement with France settling all Colonial differences. • This was known as the “Entente Cordiale.” • In 1907 Russia and France entered into an agreement known as the “Anglo-Russian Entente.” • These two agreements were collectively known as the “Triple Entente.”

Triple Entente Triple Alliance • Britain •France • Russia • Germany • Austria-Hungary Vs. These alliances remained in place for the duration of the First World War.