How did the alliance between Russia, Britain, and France affect the beginning of the war?
Why It was Formed
France - President Poincare. Russia - Czar Nicholas II. Britain - Prime Minister Asquith. www.fineartamerica.com
In 1894, an alliance between Russia and France was made, similar to the dual alliance made between Germany and Austria-Hungary. By 1904 Britain had begun talks with Russia and decided that it should join the Entente Cordiale, and by 1907, Foreign Minister Sir Edward Grey negotiated Britain into the Triple Entente(bbc). In contrast to the Triple Alliance, the terms of the Entente did not require each country to go to war to defend its allies, but rather that each of the countries had a ‘moral obligation’ to help its allies(bbc). Previous to this, Britain had been spending its time ruling its vast empire, instead letting the European politics play out - for the most part. However, its belief had been that no country should be vastly superior to another country in strength. When Germany began to look more and more like it could takeover of Europe, Britain decided to even the balance of Europe by joining the Triple Alliance, and creating an alliance that would rival Germany's power. All three had the same idea, and decided to unite to counter Germany's strength.
How it began the war
Russia was still a great empire, but it felt disgraced having been defeated by Japan in the Russo-Japanese war in 1905. This loss had caused many problems for Russia, and Russian leaders felt that beating Germany would restore people's faith in the government(bbc). When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia saw it as opportunity to fight against Germany, whilst also defending its interest in Serbia. It quickly declared war against Austria-Hungary, anticipating a declaration of war from Germany in response. Germany then declared war on Russia and France(history). The only member of the alliance not in the war was Britain, who was trying to prevent any war from happening. However, as Sir Edward Grey's inspiring speech to parliament ,"My own feeling is that if a foreign fleet, engaged in a war which France had not sought, and in which she had not been the aggressor, came down the English Channel and bombarded and battered the undefended coasts of France, we could not stand aside and see this going on practically within sight of our eyes, with our arms folded, looking on dispassionately, doing nothing. I believe that would be the feeling of this country" -Sire Edward Grey (Citation: 1914-1918).
This political cartoon shows the growing list of countries entering the war.
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