World War I/Alliance Systems

Alliance System of World War I

World War I had 2 main and major alliances the Central Powers and Entente each a military alliance based mutual defense and strategic alliances and balance against each side of the Entente and Central Powers

The Central Powers

Dual Alliance

the Central Powers began in 1879 between the German Empire and Autro-Hungarian Empire, the German Empire wanted to secure its place in Europe due to its formation 8 years earlier in 1871, Otto Von Bismark (German Chancellor 1871 to 1890) helped to form the Dual Alliance in 1897 with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. the 2 agreed that it would a mutual defence against a potential threat of Russian aggression.

Italy

Italy would later join in 1882, and the Dual Alliance was changed to the Triple Alliance. The First factor was that Italy joined because of security concerns as Italy wanted to protect itself against potential aggression from France due to its loss of North African ambitions to France. A second it tied to colonial ambitions as it hoped gaining support for its colonial ambitions in North Africa with the German Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire

A third factor was political alignment since the Italian government at the time was conservative and ideologically aligned with both the German Empire and Austro-Hungarian Empires were monarchies as Italy was a Monarchy. A fourth factor was strategic interest as Italy wanted to avoid political isolation with European politics and saw the alliance as a way to strengthen its position through the Triple Alliance but with-it alliance with the German Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, however they did not Join the Central Power during World War I instead Italy announced its neutrality during the war until joining the Entente against the Central Power in April of 1915

Bulgaria

The first factor Bulgaria (joined October 1915) joining was it saw territorial expansion by regaining lost territory in the Balkan Wars which included Macedonia and Thrace (an area that covered south-East Bulgaria the European part of Turkey and a small portion in Greece). A second factor was Bulgaria strategic position as it was seen as a valuable ally for the Central Power for securing the Balkans and disrupting Entente plans

A third factor was German support as Germany offered both military and economic support including a large loan and promise Bulgaria territorial gains. A fourth factor as its dissatisfaction from the Entente as the Entente attempted to have Bulgaria join the Entente but the promises were less favourable compared to the Central Powers promises

Ottoman Empire

The First factor was The Ottoman Empire (joined October 1914) joined was to align with the great powers in Europe and to counterbalance the threats from the Entente particularly Russia and Britian. A second factor was German military support as it provided military advisors and equipment to modernize the Ottoman army

A third factor was Economic interest as the Ottoman Empire hoped to secure benefits on its economy and protecting its trade routes through the Alliance. A fourth factor was Geopolitical strategy as regain its lost territory in the Balkans and expands its influence.

Entente

The Entente began in 1894 between France and the Russian Empire as an alliance counterbalance for German Influence particularly in Eastern Europe and the Balkans another reason was German military and industrial growth, ambition, Naval expansion and colonial disputes.

France

The First factor behind the alliance was the Frano-Prussian War (1870-1871) ended in a humiliated defeat in the French perspective as it lost the state of Alsace-Lorraine as France desired to re-claim Alsace-Lorraine and this would be key parts in French foreign policy and national pride. A Second factor was France began to modernize its army to counter Germany's large military expansion and power as in 1913 for example conscription was extended increasing military service from 2 to 3 years with France also improving infrastructure allowing more rapid mobilization.

A third factor was a fear of a German growing military and colonial ambitioms with France fearing this would potentially threaten French interest. A fourth factor was France believed that the Russian Empire would be a powerful and essential ally in the east as the 2 formed the Franco-Russian Alliance in 1894 as a mutual defence pact as they would support each other in an event of a German or Austro-Hungarian attack as a means of deterring potential aggression.

Russia

The First factor of Russia was its interest in the Balkans as it wanted to expand its influence as the Balkans had a major population of ethnic Slavic people (Russia population had a major Slavic population) and as the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empire decline Russia saw an opportunity to expands it influence their and supported Serbia and other Slavic nations against the Austro-Hungarian Empire's dominance. The Second factor was its fear of the Austro-Hungarian expansion as Russia viewed the Austro-Hungarian Empire as a rival in the Balkans and in 1908 the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina heightened tensions between the two and Russia sought to protect its interest and maintain its status as a great power.

The Third factor was Economic and Military Support as Russia was heavily economically, military backwards as it was failing to modernize and catch up with the rest of Europe, but France provided loans and investments to help modernize the Russian Military and Infrastructure and Russia saw this support as a crucial and significant military ally. The Fourth factor was Pan-Slavism, Pan-Slavism is an ideology and idea that advocates for a united Slavic nation under the cultural, economic and political unified identity of the Slavic nations and Russia position itself as the protector of the Slavic people and this idea would enforce Russian foreign policy in the Balkans.