Done By: Dima Hashem
Grade: 12
What is the Triple Alliance?
• The Triple Alliance was the military alliance between Germany, Austria–
Hungary, and Italy that lasted from 1882-1914 (until the start of WWI).
• In 1882, they signed a document that promised they would give each other
military support in case of a war. The Alliance agreement stated it was
“essentially defensive and conservative” with the aim of stopping anyone
who 'might threaten' the three nations.
• Each member promised mutual support in case of an attack by any other
great power, which in Germany and Italy’s case, an attack by France alone.
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The most important aim of the Triple Alliance was to prevent Italy from declaring war
against Austria-Hungary, towards whom the Italians were in constant dispute over
territorial matters.
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The two great alliances formed during this period were intended for two purposes:
- On one hand, they were intended to strengthen the hand of member countries in their
diplomacy, as the alliances promised mutual military support; thus, a member country
could appear stronger than it actually was, as it (theoretically) could count on support
from other alliance countries. So, in this area, alliances were a destabilizing occurrence,
influencing their members to gamble and push more.
- In opposition was the stabilizing influence of the alliances, as most countries
recognized the much greater threat that antagonizing an alliance member would result in
- as the opposite effect of the first consequence, opponents were less likely to push
alliance members due to the potential downside.
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After the Franco-Prussian War in the 1870s, Europe entered a
period of peace. However, this period was filled with intense
nationalistic competition, mostly centered around trade and
empire-building, but also concerned with traditional power
diplomacy and national influence. France, Germany, and the
UK all were competing in their collection of colonies for
empire.
Overall, the Triple Alliance agreement was a major
contributing factor in the outbreak of WWI; rather than ease
tensions and reduce conflict, the Triple Alliance and Triple
Entente served to fuel the atmosphere of militarism and
diplomatic risk-taking that eventually led to the outbreak of
continental (then world) -wide war.
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY’S INTEREST IN THE ALLIANCE
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The alliance formed between Germany and AustriaHungary had strong ethnic ties.
Germany and Austria-Hungary shared borders and
(in many regions) the German language, as well as
a desire to add to their territories.
Austria-Hungary specifically wanted the Balkans.
Germany’s Interest in the Alliance
The German Empire had only been officially created
out of smaller German-speaking nations about
twenty years before the Alliance was formed, and
had quickly gained great influence over the older,
fading Austro-Hungarian Empire. By co-operating
rather than competing, land could be taken over by
either empire without conflict of interest.
 Italy wanted more territory in parts of Greece, Turkey
and the Balkans. It also wanted protection from
attacks from its northern neighbor, France. Finally,
Italy still disputed land with Austria-Hungary. An
alliance could turn out to be more effective in
negotiating this land back, and stop Austria from
taking any more land in a war.
 Because Italy still did not entirely trust AustriaHungary, it made a secret treaty with France after
joining the Triple Alliance.
WORKS CITED
 http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/triplealliance.
htm
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/worldwarone/hq/cau
ses1_01.shtml
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_Alliance_(1882)
 http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_was_the_triple_al
liance_significant