The Alliance System of WWI
GAMEPLAN
Our nation plans to attempt to make alliances with the following nations:
NATION
REASON
We will refuse to enter into alliances with the following nations:
NATION
REASON
OUTCOME
MEMBERS OF THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE
MEMBERS OF THE TRIPLE ENTENTE
MAKING CONNECTIONS
In the space below, draw a concept web diagramming the alliances between the nations
listed and the reasons for those alliances.
The Alliance System of WWI
An alliance is a formal agreement between two or more nations to cooperate for specific
purposes. Military alliances were very common among the powerful nations of Europe
leading up to the outbreak of the Great War. Such alliances often stated that if one of the
nation involved were to go to war, the other nations would provide support.
FRANCE
You and your group members will use the following information to discover the network
of alliances your nation had entered into before World War I:
History
The events of the past have much to do with the relations between nations.
• The kingdom of France has a long and storied tradition, and thus should have the
respect of other nations—especially those don’t have the same proud tradition.
• Your nation has had some turbulent times in the last century, including a number
of changes in power. This has caused your people to desire safety and security
from their leaders.
• Not long ago you lost a war against Prussia, who has since organized the other
German states into a unified country. This loss was very damaging to the French
pride, and so was the peace agreement. You and your people would like nothing
better than to get some payback against Germany.
• Traditionally, Britain—or the United Kingdom, or England, whatever they’re
calling themselves these days—has
been your biggest rival. However,
lately they’ve employed a policy of
isolationism and you’ve got bigger
problems.
• There’s been some tension over who
gets the rights to what in Africa, but
they proved they’re willing to work
with you if money’s involved.
Geography
The location of a nation can be very important
to military and diplomatic strategy.
• Alliances with bordering countries
provide protection and security to your
people.
• Alliances with nations bordering your
enemies threaten their security give
you a military advantage if war were to
break out.
The Alliance System of WWI
An alliance is a formal agreement between two or more nations to cooperate for specific
purposes. Military alliances were very common among the powerful nations of Europe
leading up to the outbreak of the Great War. Such alliances often stated that if one of the
nation involved were to go to war, the other nations would provide support.
GERMANY
You and your group members will use the following information to discover the network
of alliances your nation had entered into before World War I:
History
The events of the past have much to do with the relations between nations.
• The unified nation of Germany, although relatively young in comparison to other
European powers, has a strong and proud military tradition. After recently
bringing together the independent German States, your industrialized nation has
quickly risen to become one of the strongest economic and military powers in the
world.
• The Franco-Prussian War has left the French very bitter and relations between
you and those sore losers are cold. You know the French are out for revenge.
• Two powerful nations you’d like on your side are Russia and Austria-Hungary.
Unfortunately, it does not look like you’ll be able to make agreements with both
of them, since they are currently in conflict over influence in the Balkans. Keep
in mind that ethnically, the Austrians are very similar to you and they are a
weaker power than Russia and would thus be easier to control.
• You’d like to make some sort of
alliance with the United Kingdom,
but they have used a policy of
isolationism lately, preferring to stay
out of the affairs of other countries.
• There might be some cause for
concern that the United Kingdom
recently sided with France over you
in a dispute of colonial control in
Africa.
Geography
The location of a nation can be very
important to military and diplomatic strategy.
• Alliances with bordering countries
provide protection and security to
your people.
• Alliances with nations bordering your
enemies threaten their security give
you a military advantage if war were
to break out.
The Alliance System of WWI
An alliance is a formal agreement between two or more nations to cooperate for specific
purposes. Military alliances were very common among the powerful nations of Europe leading
up to the outbreak of the Great War. Such alliances often stated that if one of the nation involved
were to go to war, the other nations would provide support.
UNITED KINGDOM
You and your group members will use the following information to discover the network of
alliances your nation had entered into before World War I:
History
The events of the past have much to do with the relations between nations.
• The kingdom of England is one of the oldest, proudest, and most respected in all of
Europe. You have a proud heritage and a long-standing rivalry with the French.
• Now known as the United Kingdom, your nation has been at the forefront of liberal
government and the industrial revolution. You’re also one of the nations most involved
with a policy of imperialism, and have had some “misunderstandings” with other
imperialist nations such as France and Germany.
• Because of your economic success and the relative chaos in parts of the mainland, your
country has been practicing a policy you like to call “splendid isolationsim,” meaning
you think it best for you nation to stay out of the affairs of the other European nations.
• You’ve also been the dominant naval power around the world for hundreds of years. You
recently defeated Russia in order to protect your position of naval dominance.
• Germany has been building its naval fleet
in an attempt to challenge your
dominance of the seas. Why would they
do that?
• If you notice that other nations are
entering into alliances, you might want to
reconsider your policy of isolationism
before you get left on your own.
Geography
The location of a nation can be very important to
military and diplomatic strategy.
• Geography plays a key role is your
isolationist status and your naval
superiority.
• Alliances with neighboring countries
provide protection and security to your
people.
• Alliances with nations bordering your
enemies threaten their security give you a
military advantage if war were to break out.
The Alliance System of WWI
An alliance is a formal agreement between two or more nations to cooperate for specific
purposes. Military alliances were very common among the powerful nations of Europe leading
up to the outbreak of the Great War. Such alliances often stated that if one of the nation involved
were to go to war, the other nations would provide support.
RUSSIA
You and your group members will use the following information to discover the network of
alliances your nation had entered into before World War I:
History
The events of the past have much to do with the relations between nations.
• The Russian empire has strived for centuries to become more stable and more
competitive with other European powers. Efforts to do this in recent years have not been
successful, so it would be wise to make good decisions—or your people might try to
overthrow your government (again).
• A couple of decades ago you lost a war when Britain stepped in because they felt you
were trying to threaten their dominance of European waters. You’ve since regarded the
incident as an embarrassment.
• In hopes of increasing your power within Europe, there’s been a big push to industrialize
and militarize Russia. Through a policy of conscription, you’ve been able to amass the
largest standing army in the world.
• In the spirit of both nationalism and imperialism, you’ve agreed to an alliance with
Serbia, protecting them from AustriaHungary, because the Serbs have ethnic ties
to your people and you have interest in
controlling that area to gain access to the
Mediterranean Sea.
• You once had an alliance with both
Germany and Austria-Hungary, but backed
out as the tension in the Balkans grew and
Germany began to favor Austria.
• France has recently floated your nation
several large loans to help you industrialize.
Geography
The location of a nation can be very important to
military and diplomatic strategy.
• Alliances with bordering countries provide
protection and security to your people.
• Alliances with nations bordering your
enemies threaten their security give you a
military advantage if war were to break out.
The Alliance System of WWI
An alliance is a formal agreement between two or more nations to cooperate for specific
purposes. Military alliances were very common among the powerful nations of Europe leading
up to the outbreak of the Great War. Such alliances often stated that if one of the nation involved
were to go to war, the other nations would provide support.
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY
You and your group members will use the following information to discover the network of
alliances your nation had entered into before World War I:
History
The events of the past have much to do with the relations between nations.
•
•
•
•
•
•
The legacy of your kingdom can be traced all the way back to the fall of the Roman
Empire, and you’ve been able to maintain the stability of the monarchy for all these
years.
You are determined to keep and even expand your influence in the Balkans, especially in
the state of Serbia. The Serbs have been asking Russia for help in gaining your
assistance, leaving you extremely unhappy with the Russians.
You do not have a large army in comparison to the other European powers, so it would be
wise to create an alliance with a more
powerful nation.
You have recently lost a war against
France.
Your people are of a similar ethic and
cultural heritage as the people of
Germany.
Germany has shown signs of taking your
side in the dispute between you and Russia
over the dispute in the Balkans.
Geography
The location of a nation can be very important to
military and diplomatic strategy.
•
•
Alliances with bordering countries provide
protection and security to your people.
Alliances with nations bordering your
enemies threaten their security give you a
military advantage if war were to break
out.
The Alliance System of WWI
An alliance is a formal agreement between two or more nations to cooperate for specific
purposes. Military alliances were very common among the powerful nations of Europe leading
up to the outbreak of the Great War. Such alliances often stated that if one of the nation involved
were to go to war, the other nations would provide support.
ITALY
You and your group members will use the following information to discover the network of
alliances your nation had entered into before World War I:
History
The events of the past have much to do with the relations between nations.
•
•
•
•
•
While the country of Italy is relatively young when compared to some of the powers of
Europe, your heritage traces its roots the Roman Empire and has been the home of the
Catholic Church and the Renaissance.
You do not have a large army in comparison to the other European powers, so it would be
wise to create an alliance with a more powerful nation.
You’ve had some recent disagreements with Austria-Hungary over territory and the
border that you share with them. You also sided with France in war between them and
Austria a fews decades ago.
You hope to increase the power of your
nation through a policy of imperialism in
Africa. You recently had a dispute over
the territory of Tunis in northern Africa.
While on one hand, creating an alliance
with Germany would certainly get your
revenge on France. Conversely, France
may be able to help you expand your other
interests in northern Africa.
Geography
The location of a nation can be very important to
military and diplomatic strategy.
•
•
Alliances with bordering countries provide
protection and security to your people.
Alliances with nations bordering your
enemies threaten their security give you a
military advantage if war were to break
out.