Why did Bismarck support the Dreikaiserbund of 1872-3?

The Dreikaiserbund or the Three Emperors’ League was made up of Alexander II of Russia, Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary and Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany. This agreement took place during a visit by both the Russian and Austrian rulers to Berlin in September 1872. The visit did not address the issues that divided the powers - particularly the conflicting opinions between Russia and Austria over the Balkans but focused on the common interest, that the three powers despised 'revolution' at a time when socialism was beginning to spread. For Bismarck, the Dreikaiserbund was a way to maintain the isolation of France and of securing the southern and eastern borders of Germany. The agreement also held an expectation that Austria and Russia would not go into war together. An advantage for Bismarck, as he was keen to avoid such a war, as it would mean he would have to choose a country to support, thus losing one valuable ally and gaining an enemy.

Bismarck favoured the Dreikaiserbund because of the advantages it gave to Germany both for the present and future. The agreement offered Germany protection from France, and was supposed to eliminate a war between Austria and Russia, that would nevertheless affect Germany, as it would force countries to take sides. Bismarck needed to protect Germany from the French as his previous plan to keep the French secluded had not gone to plan and the Dreikaiserbund offered almost an invisible cage that kept France locked and safely away from Germany. Attempting to eliminate a forecasted war between Russia and Austria, was a protective scheme for Germany for the future because if a war occurred Germany would be forced to take sides, which would only have a negative impact. The Dreikaiserbund held pure advantages for Germany although, in practice the agreement was futile and only provided a deceptive veil of unity which was not to last.