The triple entente

• When Bismarck was forced out of the chancellorship, the men who were appointed to take his place did not have the slightest idea of the character or the diplomatic structure that he built.

• Germans considered France and Russia as common enemy. With this basis, they formed the Dual entente

In (1892), which was the first step in building up the triple entente.

• In 1904, England and France forgot their 200 years of enmity and formed the Anglo – French entente cordiale.

• In 1904, alliances existed between France and Russia and between France and England. In 1907, England and Russia allied.

Crises:

• Both the alliances were antagonistic from almost every point of view. The powers grouped themselves together to promote their enemies.

• Between 1904- 1914, there was a series of crises, the last one being the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand in Austria. This brought about general motivation, mobilization and outbreak of hostilities.

• The first Moroccan Crisis (1905) arose from an effort of Germany to curb French expansion in Africa. France had backup support from Russia and England and Germany was forced to retreat. In this crisis the triple entente held together. But Germany did not get support from either Austria or Italy.

France and England made military treaty to oppose the Germans one for another. Second crisis was caused by Austria in the “annexation of Bosnia” in 1908.

• The third crisis was that of Agadir (1911), in which morocco was the issue again. Germany made the final attempt to keep the French out but failed.

• Fourth crisis was the breakup of Balkan war in 1912.