Alliance system in europe
At this time in Europe, several nations began creating numerous alliances for the sake of protection from a full-scale war. Alliances were used as a scare tactic to prevent declarations of war. While instituted for the apparent benefit of security and prevention of war, the intricate and delicate system created eventually precipitated with the outbreak of World War I ("Buildup to War"). Russia, at the time of WW1, was a part of the Triple Entente with Britain and France. In 1894, an alliance between Russia and France was formed, and in 1907, the alliance between Britain and Russia began. Previously, it was involved in an alliance with Austria-Hungary and Germany under Bismarck called the League of Three Emperors before it was discontinued (McDonough 4). With Germany's ignorance of Russia following Bismarck's exiting and France's fear in the tensions of the time, Russia and France were led to an alliance which later became this Triple Entente with the addition of Britain.
A separate struggle remained prevalent between Serbia and Austria-Hungary. The Treaty of San Stefano made Serbia an independent country, split from the Ottoman Empire in 1878 (McDonough 4). Serbia wanted to unite all ethnic serbs - many of which were ruled by other nations at the time, including the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary (McDonough 14). Russia wanted some power over Serbia for both economic and ethnic reasons. They had aims to gain an Adriatic port in the Balkans that bordered the Mediterranean and Black Seas. This access to warmer waters was a MAJOR reason for their desire to have influence in the Balkans. Also, Russia became closely related to Serbia due to its feelings of being the “champion of the Slav people” (Causes of World War I 18).
Years before, Russia was to be an ally of Austria-Hungary. Russia would come to Austria-Hungary’s aid in war. However, in 1854, Russia went to war against Britain, France, and Turkey. Austria stayed neutral (Peaple, Jordine). Their bond was broken as well as the trust between the nations. There was a strong possibility of bitters feelings from that point.
Eventually, the alliance system would serve as the chain which would encompass all of Europe ("World War I (1914–1919)").
A separate struggle remained prevalent between Serbia and Austria-Hungary. The Treaty of San Stefano made Serbia an independent country, split from the Ottoman Empire in 1878 (McDonough 4). Serbia wanted to unite all ethnic serbs - many of which were ruled by other nations at the time, including the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary (McDonough 14). Russia wanted some power over Serbia for both economic and ethnic reasons. They had aims to gain an Adriatic port in the Balkans that bordered the Mediterranean and Black Seas. This access to warmer waters was a MAJOR reason for their desire to have influence in the Balkans. Also, Russia became closely related to Serbia due to its feelings of being the “champion of the Slav people” (Causes of World War I 18).
Years before, Russia was to be an ally of Austria-Hungary. Russia would come to Austria-Hungary’s aid in war. However, in 1854, Russia went to war against Britain, France, and Turkey. Austria stayed neutral (Peaple, Jordine). Their bond was broken as well as the trust between the nations. There was a strong possibility of bitters feelings from that point.
Eventually, the alliance system would serve as the chain which would encompass all of Europe ("World War I (1914–1919)").
