The European Alliances had a major part in beginning of World WAR one. After the build up of tension from Nationalism, Imperialism and Militarism, the Powers were worried about being attacked by each other. There was a general sense of mistrust and tension between states being built up, and the alliances were used to partially hide or suppress that feeling. The Triple Alliance consisted of the Central Powers, Germany and Austria-Hungary that had existed since 1879 when Bismarck had befriended the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In the agreement, both countries pledged that they would go to the aid of the other if attacked by Russia. This was done to ensure that Germany would always have an allied nation on its border if war were to occur. Italy later joined this alliance in 1882, which remained in tact until the beginning of World War I. The conditions of the alliance changed after Italy was added and stated that countries would aid any other that was under attack from two or more countries.
The other alliance, the Triple Entente was made up of Great Britain, France and Russia. As a result of Germanys build-up in naval resources, Great Britain was forced to abandon its isolation policy and adopt allies. France joined Great Britain in 1904. Unlike the Triple alliance, this agreement contained no promises of military support, although the two powers began to talk of joint military plans. The Triple Entente was completed when Russia joined in 1907. Fritz Fischer, a German historian, believes that Germany was looking to provoke war by making the assumption that Russia had not mobilised, and allowed Austria to invade Serbia with the belief that no retaliation would come from Russia. World War One spread because of the Alliance system; even with the tension build up it would’ve still been just another European war.
The Balkan wars meant conflict between the two alliance systems. Austria Hungary and Italy were both upset because of the victory of the Balkan League as they were totally opposed to Serbia having an Adriatic coastline and instead supported the establishment of an independent Albania. However Russia and France supported the idea of a larger Serbia. In November 1912 both Russia and Austria-Hungary mobilized their troops to support and oppose Serbia respectively while Germany and Britain made an effort to moderate the demands of their allies. Russia was again forced to back down in the name of peace and Albania became and independent country.
At this point individual previous rivalries such as Russia with Austria-Hungary had a dangerous effect on the situation of the two alliances as they were forced to support each one’s allies, and at this point, a major conflict were the two systems confronted directly seemed just a matter of time.
It would appear that the alliance system was the brainchild of just one man, Otto Von Bismarck. However the alliance system that contributed to the eruption of war, can not be blamed solely on Bismarck, as her was pushed into matters, such as the Balkans, that he did not want to be involved with. Even though the alliances became increasingly twisted and complex, he was able to keep the peace and thus kept his faithful aims. Whether the alliances were actually necessary is questionable, as they were driven by his immense insecurity and not a well thought out strategy "had made a deadlock and called it peace" (historian W.N. Medlicott). Many historians have placed the culpability of the subsequent polarisation of Europe and even war on Bismarck and his unstable personality. It is true that the alliance system did pose threat to war, but whether the personality of Bismarck made a difference is nonetheless a questionable point.
The personality of Kaiser Wilhelm II may well have contributed to the cause of war, as his unpredictability "battleship with no rudder" (Sir Edward Grey) and lack of tact will have influenced major political decisions, such as Weltpolitik, which was the primary cause of Britain's reconciliation with Russia and France. Unlike in Bismarck's time, Germany did not take the leading role in international relations, which if Bismarck had of been ruler for a longer period of time, may perhaps have changed.
There were also some physical disputes that had an impact in causing WWI. The long term causes of WWI produced tension among the Great Powers. This tension was heightened by a series of crises. The first clashes were over the French owned Morocco. In March 1905 the Kaiser set sail for Morocco and met with the Sultan. The visit was intended to serve as a demonstration that Morocco could count on German help against French expansion. Tension flared and Great Britain and France were extremely angry over what they considered to be their business. France and Britain became even closer allies; this was not the result Germany was hoping for and its place in the sun diminished. Only 6 years later the Moroccans rose against French control. The French sent troops to put down the rebellion, but Germany decided to interfere, and sent the gunboat Panther to the Moroccan port of Agadir. The French and British were beyond furious and the British navy prepared for war. However, at the last moment Germany withdrew Panther, preventing war.
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 was just the spark needed to light up this explosive conflict that was WWI. This was the point were all the tensions of the previous years were released as the members of both alliance systems declared war on the members of the other supporting their allies and causing a chain reaction of conflict. The alliances were of vital importance for the magnitude of World War I. The other factors have additionally proved to be significant, including nationalism, imperialism, militarism, the Moroccan crisis and the Balkans War. Even though they are not a solid reason themselves for the outbreak of war they are the key factor in the establishment of its parameters in its early days as the two fronts declared war on each other. If the alliances had included another configuration the outcome of the war would have certainly been different and most surely the number of lives lost and the arrangement of the European countries after it would have been entirely different as it was the balance of powers that extended the period of time of the war that was one thought to “be over by Christmas”.
It is therefore reasonable to suggest that the Alliance System was a significant cause of the war in Europe escalating into a world war. Although the immediate trigger of WWI was the assassination, the war would never have happened without the pre-war tension build-up.
