Tangled Alliances
Before and After: Prior Knowledge and Text Reading Activity
Standards Alignment
Text
Before and After Student Response Activity
Standards Alignment
California State Standards for Grade 10
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10.5 Students analyze the causes and course of the First World War.
– Analyze the arguments for entering into war presented by leaders from all sides of the Great
War and the role of political and economic rivalries, ethnic and ideological conflicts, domestic
discontent and disorder, and propaganda and nationalism in mobilizing the civilian population in
support of “total war.”
Common Core Reading Standards for Literacy in History/Social Science for Grades 9 & 10 Students:
•
RH 1 - Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, attending
to such features as the date and origin of the information.
•
RH 3 - Analyze in detail a series of events described in a text; determine whether earlier events caused
later ones or simply preceded them.
•
RH 4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary
describing political, social, or economic aspects of history/social studies.
Common Core Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Science for Grades 9 & 10 Students:
•
WHST 2 - Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific
procedures/ experiments, or technical processes.
– b. Develop the topic with well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient facts, extended definitions,
concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s
knowledge of the topic.
– d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to manage the complexity of the topic
and convey a style appropriate to the discipline and context as well as to the expertise of likely
readers.
Tangled Alliances
Before and After Prior Knowledge and Reading Activity
Growing rivalries and mistrust had led to the creation of several military alliances among the Great
Powers in Europe as early as the 1870s. This alliance system had been designed to keep peace in Europe.
But it would instead help push Europe into war.
Bismarck Forges Early Pacts
Between 1864 and 1871, Germany’s leader Otto von Bismarck, freely used war to unify Germany.
After 1871, however, Bismarck turned his energies to maintaining peace in Europe. However, Bismarck saw
France as the greatest threat to peace. France and Germany had been bitter enemies for years. France lost
the Franco-Prussian War to Germany in 1871. Bismarck was convinced that France wanted revenge.
Bismarck’s first goal, therefore, was to isolate France. “As long as it is without allies,” Bismarck stressed,
“France poses no danger to us.” In 1879, Bismarck formed the Dual Alliance between Germany and AustriaHungary. Three years later, Italy joined the two countries, forming the Triple Alliance. In 1881, Bismarck took
yet another possible ally away from France by making a treaty with Russia.
Shifting Alliances Threaten Peace
In 1890, Germany changed dramatically. That year, Kaiser Wilhelm II—who two years earlier had
become ruler of Germany—forced Bismarck to resign. A proud and stubborn man, Wilhelm II did not wish
to share power with anyone. Besides wanting to assert his own power, the new ruler was eager to show the
world just how mighty Germany had become. The army was his greatest pride. “I and the army were born
for one another,” Wilhelm declared shortly after taking power in Germany.
Wilhelm let his nation’s treaty with Russia end in 1890. Russia responded by forming a military alliance with
France, Germany’s bitter enemy. This alliance caused uneasiness among many Germans. War with either
Russia or France would make Germany the enemy of both. Germany would then be forced to fight a war on
both its eastern and western borders. This would be very difficult to do.
Adding to the tension, Wilhelm began a tremendous shipbuilding program in an effort to make the German
navy equal to that of the mighty British fleet. Alarmed, Great Britain formed an entente, or alliance, with
France. In 1907, Britain made another entente, this time with both France and Russia. This alliance was
called the Triple Entente.
Two Alliances on the Verge of War
By 1907, two rival camps existed in Europe. On one side was the Triple Alliance—Germany, AustriaHungary, and Italy. On the other side was the Triple Entente—Great Britain, France, and Russia. Both
alliances stated that if one of the countries was attacked, the other two allies would back them up militarily.
Therefore, a dispute between two rival powers could draw all six European nations into war. The smallest
altercation could cause the entire European continent to erupt.
Kaiser
Wilhem II
Directions: Read each of the statements. Mark each of the statements either true or false based on your
prior knowledge. Then read the information and make any corrections.
Before the
Reading:
True/False
Statement
The alliance system in Europe had been designed to
start war in Europe.
After 1871, Bismarck turned his energies to maintaining
peace in Europe.
Bismarck saw Austria-Hungary as the biggest threat to
peace.
France lost the Franco-Prussian War to Germany in
1871.
Bismarck’s first goal was to create an alliance with
France.
First, Bismarck formed the Duel Alliance with Britain and
three years later, France joined, forming the Triple
Alliance.
In 1890, Kaiser Wilhelm II forced Bismarck to resign.
Kaiser Wilhelm II was eager to show the world just how
mighty Germany had become.
After Wilhelm let his nation’s treaty with Russia end,
Russia responded by forming a military alliance with
Austria-Hungary.
Russia and France’s alliance caused uneasiness among
many Germans because they would have to fight on
both the eastern and western borders if war broke out.
Wilhelm began a tremendous shipbuilding program in
an effort to make the Germany navy equal to that of the
British.
By 1907, Britain made an alliance with both France and
Russia called the Triple Entente.
Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy made up the Triple
Entente and Great Britain, France, Russia made up the
Triple Alliance.
After the
reading
If after the reading the statement is false, correct it by making the
statement true.