The alliance system created an environment where a small disagreement, misunderstanding, or skirmish had the ability to turn in to all-out war. In the event that conflict between two nations occurs, the only outcome is a war on a global scale including all nations in agreement.
After the defeat of Napoleon, major European powers began the process of creating alliances to prevent one country from gaining complete dominance over Europe. In 1815 European nations met at the Conference of Vienna and created the alliance systems in an effort to prevent another nation’s hegemony. By 1914, the six major powers of Europe were split into two alliances, which would – with the exception of Italy – form the two warring sides in World War One. Britain, France and Russia were in the Triple Entente, while Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy were in the Triple Alliance. While historians now lay much less emphasis on these alliances dragging nations into the war against their will, they did affect who fought who (Wilde, n.d. para. 1). Additionally, other European countries joined with the major alliances as tensions grew. The alliance system allowed for less powerful countries to have more power and influence in international matters. The arrangement was made where if one country declared war against another they would have the financial and military support of the other countries. “If any member found themselves at war with two or more nations at once, the alliance would also come to their aid” (Wilde, n.d. para. 5). Serbia became involved in a conflict with Austria-Hungary. Without the alliance system in place the conflict would not have resulted in a war between multiple nations. Serbia had an alliance with Russia which caused Russia to declare war against Austria-Hungary. Germany, an ally of Austria-Hungary, then declared war on Russia. It created a domino effect of nations declaring war on one another. (Duffy, 2009). Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, provoking Russia to defend Serbia. “Germany seeing Russia mobilizing, declared war on Russia. France was then drawn in against Germany and Austria-Hungary. Germany attacked France through Belgium pulling Britain into war.”(Alpha History 2014a para. 3) |