Click here to download the Lesson #3 Worksheet before you begin!
Warm-up for the brain: Have you ever seen a fight that escalated because some friends of the people fighting jumped in too? That is actually very similar to how World War One started. Europe's powers were tangled in a web of alliances that dragged many countries into the conflict due to treaties between countries. Today we're going to learn about different alliances that were made prior to WWI and how alliances contributed to the beginning of WWI.
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Clear Target: Explain how alliances contributed to World War One.
TASK #1: Identify key alliances that took place prior to World War One.
Prior to World War One many countries made alliances with each other out of common interests, self-preservation, or both. Let's take a look at some key alliances. If you look at the map below you can get a better idea of why these alliances played out the way they did. Think to yourself, "Why would they want to make an alliance with that country?" Pay particular attention to those alliances highlighted in red, although you should study each one to get the full picture and to gain possible extra credit on the test!
Bismarckian System of Alliances: Created by German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, this system was created after the Franco-Prussian War to maintain the newly created German Empire and to keep France and Russia in check.
The Three Emperor's League ((1873): This was an alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia to help each other quash liberal threats rising up in those countries.
The Dual Alliance (1879): After Russia departed from the Three Emperor's League in 1878, Bismarck signed a treaty with Austria-Hungary known as the Dual Alliance. This alliance would last until 1918.
The Triple Alliance (1882): Italy feared French ambitions in the area of Tunisia and needed an ally. Bismarck signed an alliance with Italy and Austria-Hungary as it would keep Italy from attacking Austria-Hungary or from siding with Russia.
Russian-German Reinsurance Treaty (1887): After Russia did not renew the Three Emperor's League, Bismarck worked out the Russian-German Reinsurance Treaty which stated that Germany and Russia would stay neutral if the other was attacked. This treaty would last until 1890, when Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany forced Bismarck to resign his post as chancellor. Kaiser Wilhelm also did not renew the Reinsurance Treaty in 1890 which meant now France could get Russia to side with them!
Franco-Russian Alliance (1894): Russia allied with France for protection against Germany and Austria-Hungary. Europe is now divided into rival blocs.
Triple Entente (1907): A counter to the Triple Alliance. An agreement between Great Britain, France, and Russia. This would be the core of the Allied Powers.
Central Powers (1914): This was the wartime alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.
Allied Powers (1914-17): The Allied Powers would originally consist of Great Britain, France, and Russia. Italy would join in 1915 after having left the Triple Alliance. The United States would join as an "associated power" in 1917.
The Three Emperor's League ((1873): This was an alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia to help each other quash liberal threats rising up in those countries.
The Dual Alliance (1879): After Russia departed from the Three Emperor's League in 1878, Bismarck signed a treaty with Austria-Hungary known as the Dual Alliance. This alliance would last until 1918.
The Triple Alliance (1882): Italy feared French ambitions in the area of Tunisia and needed an ally. Bismarck signed an alliance with Italy and Austria-Hungary as it would keep Italy from attacking Austria-Hungary or from siding with Russia.
Russian-German Reinsurance Treaty (1887): After Russia did not renew the Three Emperor's League, Bismarck worked out the Russian-German Reinsurance Treaty which stated that Germany and Russia would stay neutral if the other was attacked. This treaty would last until 1890, when Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany forced Bismarck to resign his post as chancellor. Kaiser Wilhelm also did not renew the Reinsurance Treaty in 1890 which meant now France could get Russia to side with them!
Franco-Russian Alliance (1894): Russia allied with France for protection against Germany and Austria-Hungary. Europe is now divided into rival blocs.
Triple Entente (1907): A counter to the Triple Alliance. An agreement between Great Britain, France, and Russia. This would be the core of the Allied Powers.
Central Powers (1914): This was the wartime alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.
Allied Powers (1914-17): The Allied Powers would originally consist of Great Britain, France, and Russia. Italy would join in 1915 after having left the Triple Alliance. The United States would join as an "associated power" in 1917.
Alliances in Europe, 1914.
(You must be able to recognize shaded areas on a map as WWI alliances)
TASK #2: Quiz!
Extra: Which alliance would be represented in the picture below? How can you tell? (Click on image for answer)
TASK #3: Interpret a political cartoon.
Interpret a political cartoon. Summarize the meaning of the political cartoon below as it relates to alliances. Send your answer in a Google Doc.
TASK #4: Continue creating your graphic organizer.
Using the graphic organizer you started on in Militarism, fill in the blocks for Alliances. Once you are finished, share or email your document to me to check. (you may use the graphics on this page if you wish)