Transcript France Alliances - Year 11 and 12 Modern History at St Marouns

France
Geography
• France if the largest country in Western
Europe.
• It shares borders with
Belgium, Luxembourg,
Germany, Switzerland, Italy &
Spain.
• It has access via seas to
Northern Europe, America and Africa.
FRANCE
Brief History
• France held a Feudal regime until the 18th century.
• During the 18th Century, the French Revolution replaced
the Feudal system with a Republic.
• Soon after, the 2nd Republic was
established.
• Napoleon III formed the 2nd Empire.
• Prussia defeated France in the
Franco-Prussian war (1871).
• The Third Republic was established,
the longest political regime since the
revolution.
• In 1914 France fought in WW1
The Third Republic
• 1870 – 1940
• Formed after Prussia defeated France in the FrancoPrussian War (1871)
• Presidents Adolphe Theirs and Albert Lebrun.
• Tension caused by events such as the Boulangist
Movement (1886 – 89) and the Dreyfus Affair (1894 –
99); which revealed deep political divisions within
France.
Economy
France’s economy was affected by 3 major
events –
• The Napoleonic Era: Production of Military supplies etc.
provided temporary economic boom, however this was
hard to emulate during times of peace.)
• Industrialization: Compared to it’s rivals Britain &
Germany, France was considered to be behind in
industrial technology.)
• World War 1: Was disastrous for the economies of all
parties.
Military
• During the Napoleonic Era, France was
militarily brilliant.
• France remained a powerful nation after
Napoleon’s exile.
• Small defeats such as that of the
Hasburgs in the Franco-Austrian war of
1859 saw France become over confident.
• France was defeated in the FrancoPrussian war, which led to the loss of Alsace-Lorraine and the
creation of a united German empire.
• With the British & Americans, France was able to hold on for 4
years to defeat Germany in WW1.
Alignment with nations
Russia: Russia and France distrusted each other due to
conflicting political systems (Autocracy vs. Republic.) Mutual fear of
Germany & Britain, and industrial financing led to an alliance in
1894. This was the core of the Triple Entente.
Britain: Traditional enemies, France & Britain agreed upon an
“entente” in 1904 as Britain was alarmed at their international
isolation and the rising power of Germany. All Colonial differences
between the pair were resolved.
Germany: Germany’s possession of Alsace-Lorraine
prevented reconciliation. Germany sought to isolate a possibly reemergent France.
Alliances
5 Major Powers
Russia
Britain
France
Germany
AustriaHungary
The Three Emperor’s League
• Was formed in 1873 by Germany, AustriaHungary and Russia.
• The 3 countries agreed to stay neutral if one
was attacked.
• Problems arose due to Germany’s attempts to
mediate Russia & Austria-Hungary’s Balkan
conflict. This made Russia Suspicious of German
policy.
The Dual Alliance
• Formed in 1879 between Germany & AustriaHungary
• They believed Russia would not fulfill their
agreement in the Three Emperor’s League.
• They agreed to help each other if one was attacked
by Russia.
• Russia was given an ultimatum: Renew the 3
Emperor’s League alliance, or change sides. It chose to
renew the 3 Emperor’s League.
Triple Alliance
• Italy sought to spite France after the 1881 seizure of
Tunisia, a potential Italian colony.
• In 1882 the Dual Alliance (between Austria-Hungary
and Germany) became the Triple Alliance with the
inclusion of Italy.
• Italy entered into negotiations with France in 1900.
• Italy agreed not to join Germany in a war with
France, effectively removing themselves from the
Triple Alliance.
Reinsurance Treaty
• Russia refused to renew the Three Emporer’s League a
third time after fallings out with Austria-Hungary.
• Bismarck (Germany) entered into a secret agreement
with Russia known as the “Reinsurance Treaty,”
• They agreed both countries would remain neutral in
the event of a war with a third country.
• The deal would be negated if Germany attacked
France or if Russia attacked Austria-Hungary.
Along came Kaiser Wilhelm II
• Fired Bismarck in 1890
• Refused to renew the “Reinsurance Treaty,” to make
way for Britain to enter the Triple Alliance.
• As a result of this, in 1984 Russia and France agreed
to give each other mutual military aid in the event
that they were attacked by Germany.
• This was known as the
“Dual Entente.”
Triple Entente
• In 1896, Germany threatened Britian’s Naval superiority.
• In 1904, Britain signed an agreement with France settling
all Colonial differences.
• This was known as the “Entente
Cordiale.”
• In 1907 Russia and France entered into an agreement
known as the “Anglo-Russian Entente.”
• These two agreements were collectively known as the
“Triple Entente.”
Triple
Alliance
• Germany
• AustriaHungary
Vs.
Triple
Entente
• Britain
•France
• Russia
These alliances remained in place for the
duration of the First World War.