To what extent can it be argued that World War I was caused by the Alliance System?

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To what extent can it be argued that World War I was caused by the Alliance System?

The Alliance System was branched across Europe and involved nearly all Powers.

There was the Dual Alliance of 1879 between Germany and Austria-Hungary, the Triple Alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary and Italy of 1882, the Franco-Russian alliance of 1891-4, the Entente Cordiale between France and Britain of 1904 and the Triple Entente between France, Britain and Russia of 1907.

From those alliances one can clearly see that Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy were on the one site, and Britain, France and Russia on the other site.

Even though the Triple Alliance broke, and the Triple Entente just settled colonial disputes, especially the Dual alliance as well as the Franco-Russian alliance played a major role for the outbreak of the First World War.

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Thus, the Alliance System was very much responsible for the First World War.

The Dual Alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary was formed in 1978. The agreement states, that if either of the countries is attacked by Russia, the other will come to its aid with all forces, and if attacked by another country, at least will stay neutral. This is very significant for the outbreak of the First World War as Austria-Hungary sought Germany’s agreement for its declaration of war on Serbia, and further Germanys support in case Russia would attack Austria-Hungary as result of the war with Serbia. ...

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