Key alliances that impacted World War I include:
1. Triple Entente:
- Formed in 1907, the Triple Entente was an informal alliance between Britain, France, and Russia.
- This alliance solidified their political and military ties and positioned them as potential adversaries to the German Empire and Austria-Hungary.
2. Dual Alliance:
- The Dual Alliance was formed in 1879 between Germany and Austria-Hungary.
- This agreement required both countries to come to each other's aid in case of war.
3. Triple Alliance:
- The Triple Alliance was established in 1882 as a defensive alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
- Italy's support was primarily motivated by its desire to counterbalance France's expansionist ambitions in North Africa.
The alliance system created a web of interconnected commitments and obligations. When tensions escalated between Serbia and Austria-Hungary, the alliances played a crucial role in widening the conflict.
- Following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria by a Serbian nationalist, Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia.
- Russia, as a supporter of Serbia and seeking to limit Austria-Hungary's influence in the Balkans, began to mobilize its military in response.
- Germany, bound by the Dual Alliance, issued an ultimatum to Russia to halt its mobilization and declared war when it was not met.
- France, as an ally of Russia and bound by the Triple Entente, also declared war on Germany.
- The network of alliances thus led to the involvement of major European powers within days, transforming a regional crisis into a full-scale world war.
The alignment of different European nations into rival alliances contributed to the outbreak of WWI and the subsequent escalation of hostilities. It locked countries into a cycle of mutual commitments that limited diplomatic options and led to a wider conflict.