Explain The Reasons In The Treaty Of The Dual Alliance In 1879-1914

‘The pattern of alliances and agreements formed in Europe in the years 1879-1907 was shaped primarily by Germany’s concerns about its security.’ How far do you agree with this opinion?

The alliances formed from 1879 to 1907 were primarily due to the security concerns of Germany, this is shown by German attempts to isolate France to prevent them from taking revenge for the Franco-Prussian war by trying to court Russia into an a permanent alliance with it and Austria and trying to prevent conflict between Austria and Russia. They also tried to not antagonize Britain and thus focus on Europe but this changed after Kaiser Wilhelm II fired Bismarck and enacted Weltpolitik. However, there are other factors in the formation of the patterns and alliances

This is because the Dual was specific alliance against Russia with Austria even though Germany’s primary threat was France. Thus showing the German policies weren’t necessarily about security but may be because of other factors, like trying to prop up Austria and preventing it from becoming the new sick man of Europe. An example of this motive being shown is at the Congress of Berlin in 1878, where Russia lost a lot of influence in the Balkan countries and Austria gained in it by being allowed to occupy

The last major alliance signed between 1879 and 1908 was the Anglo French entente. The main reasons for the signing of the treaty was the competing imperial ambitions of the countries. The French wanted British support in Morocco in compensation for their loss in Fashoda. The treaty was signed and settled other outstanding colonial issues. There were no alliance commitments on either side but it did drastically improve relations between Britain and