The Triple Alliance was a defensive pact between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. It was formed in 1882 in response to the growing power of Russia and France. The alliance was renewed several times over the years, and it remained in effect until the outbreak of World War I.
The Triple Entente
The Triple Entente was an informal alliance between Britain, France, and Russia. It was formed in 1907 in response to the growing power of Germany. The Entente was not a formal alliance, but it did commit the three countries to consult with each other in the event of a war.
The Balkan Powder Keg
The Balkans were a region of Europe that was home to a number of ethnic groups. These groups were often in conflict with each other, and the region was known as the "powder keg of Europe." In 1914, a Serbian nationalist assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. This event sparked a chain of events that led to the outbreak of World War I.
The July Crisis
The July Crisis was a series of diplomatic negotiations that took place between the major European powers in July 1914. The crisis was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The negotiations failed to resolve the crisis, and it led to the outbreak of World War I.
The World War I Alliances
The following table shows the alliances that were formed between the major European powers during World War I:
| Country | Alliance |
|---|---|
| Germany | Triple Alliance |
| Austria-Hungary | Triple Alliance |
| Italy | Triple Alliance |
| Britain | Triple Entente |
| France | Triple Entente |
| Russia | Triple Entente |
| Serbia | Triple Entente |
| Belgium | Triple Entente |
| Japan | Triple Entente |
| United States | Triple Entente |