Was Europe Divided into 'Two Armed Camps' by 1908?

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R Jefferys

December 2002

Was Europe Divided into 'Two Armed Camps' by 1908?

By 1908, tensions in Europe were undoubtedly high. There was increasing friction in the Balkans with Austria-Hungary and Russia vying for influence and the newly formed Serbian state instigating plans for a southern Slavic state, bringing into Serbia all Slavs living in the south of Austria-Hungary1. To this end, Austria-Hungary was keen to express its authority over the region whilst Russia, wary of the considerable power of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was keen to back Serbia in any attack against it. Germany too had an interest in this age of Empire-building and could see the might and prestige that Britain had built up through Her over-seas Empire. With Germany's emergence on the World scene so rapid and with such strong nationalistic tendencies, the French became increasingly worried by her apparently volatile neighbour, and looked across the Channel for an ally. German support of Austria-Hungary and its rapid naval project gave Britain cause for concern, which put Her in alliance with Russia, completing a historically unusual alliance: the Triple Entente of Britain, France and Russia. Italy emerged as a partner for the German, Austria-Hungary camp2,