Alliances and Treaties – WW1

Reinsurance Treaty, 18 June 1887

Bismarck, having achieved the creation of a united German empire in 1871, remained
keen to protect against its possible break-up by a combined two-front attack from French
and Russia. Thus his alliance with Russia in 1887, the so-called Reinsurance Treaty,
was intended at avoiding that possibility, although under the terms of the agreement
Russia was not bound to come to Germany's aid if the latter attacked France (or if Russia
declared war with Austria-Hungary, Germany's close ally).

Germany essentially paid for Russia's benevolence by recognising Russia's sphere of

influence in Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia (now part of southern Bulgaria), and by
agreeing to support any Russian action to retain control of the Black Sea.

The treaty itself ran for three years, after which it was allowed to lapse. Subsequently
Russia allied herself with Britain and France in the Triple Entente.

Franco-Russian Military Convention, 18 August 1892

Not published until 1918, the Franco-Russian Military Convention of 18 august 1892
drew France and Russia closer together, and together with Britain, ultimately formed the
Triple Entente.

The Franco-Russian Military Convention was signed two years after the German-
Russian Reinsurance Treaty had been allowed by Russia to lapse. Increasingly Russia's
future alliance lay with France and Britain, in opposition to Germany, Austria-Hungary
and Italy (who ultimately formed the Central Powers).

In short, should France or Russia be attacked by one of the Triple Alliance signatories -
or even should a Triple Alliance power mobilise against either, the other power would
provide military assistance.

Entente Cordiale, 8 April 1904

The Entente Cordiale, an agreement between Britain and France, resolved a number of
longstanding colonial disputes, and established a diplomatic understanding between the two
countries, which however stopped short of binding either to any military undertaking in
support of the other.

France, keen to build a buffer against possible German aggression, signed the agreement in a
bid to encourage an Anglo alliance with France. Similarly Britain was willing to encourage
co-operation between the two countries with an eye on Germany's decision to expand her
naval strength in competition with Britain.

Germany, concerned over the signing of the entente agreement, determined to test its
practical strength by provoking a crisis in Morocco in 1905, leading to the Algeciras
Conference (1906).
 Alliances and Treaties – WW1

The entente was extended in 1907 to include Russia, culminating in the alliance that formally
took on the Central Powers during World War One.
The Triple Entente stood in opposition to the Triple Alliance (otherwise referred to as
the Central Powers) of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy.
Agreement Concerning Persia
The Governments of Great Britain and Russia having mutually engaged to respect the
integrity and independence of Persia, and sincerely desiring the preservation of order
throughout that country and its peaceful development, as well as the permanent establishment
of equal advantages for the trade and industry of all other nations;
Considering that each of them has, for geographical and economic reasons, a special interest
in the maintenance of peace and order in certain provinces of Persia adjoining, or in the
neighbourhood of, the Russian frontier on the one hand, and the frontiers of Afghanistan and
Baluchistan on the other hand; and being desirous of avoiding all cause of conflict between
their respective interests in the above-mentioned provinces of Persia.

Treaty of London, 1839

The 1839 Treaty of London derives its significance from Article 7, which bound Britain to
guard the neutrality of Belgium in the event of the latter's invasion.

The German Government, intending to do just that so as to reach France (specifically

Paris) all the faster in the opening weeks of the First World War, asked the British
government in August 1914 to effectively ignore the "scrap of paper" committing Britain to
the defence of Belgium. Britain refused, Germany invaded Belgium anyway: and Prime
Minister Asquith took Britain into the Great War on 4 August 1914.

Anglo-Japanese Alliance, 30 January 1902

The Anglo-Japanese Alliance of 1902, which was to run for five years before being renewed,
was primarily directed against the potential shared menace posed, it was believed, by France
and (most probably) Russia in the Far East. The alliance obligated either power to remain
neutral if one or other found itself at war. However, should either power be obliged to fight a
war against two or more powers, the other signatory was obliged to provide military aid.

The alliance was renewed in 1905 to take into account Japan's recent successful war against
Russia.

The Renewal of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, 1905 (Main Points)

The Governments of Great Britain and Japan, being desirous of replacing the Agreement
concluded between them on the 30th of January 1902, by fresh stipulations, have agreed upon
the following Articles, which have for their object:
 Alliances and Treaties – WW1

1. The consolidation and maintenance of general peace in the regions of Eastern Asia
and India;

2. The preservation of the common interests of all Powers in China by insuring the
independence and integrity of the Chinese Empire and the principle of equal
opportunities for the commerce and industry of all nations in China;

3. The maintenance of the territorial rights of the High Contracting Parties [viz., Britain
and Japan] in the regions of Eastern Asia and of India, and the defence of their special
interests in the said regions.

Entente Cordiale, 8 April 1904

The Entente Cordiale, an agreement between Britain and France, resolved a number
of longstanding colonial disputes, and established a diplomatic understanding between
the two countries, which however stopped short of binding either to any military
undertaking in support of the other.

France, keen to build a buffer against possible German aggression, signed the
agreement in a bid to encourage an Anglo alliance with France. Similarly Britain was
willing to encourage co-operation between the two countries with an eye on
Germany's decision to expand her naval strength in competition with Britain.

Germany, concerned over the signing of the entente agreement, determined to test its
practical strength by provoking a crisis in Morocco in 1905, leading to the Algeciras
Conference (1906).

The entente was extended in 1907 to include Russia, culminating in the alliance that
formally took on the Central Powers during World War One.

Anglo-Russian Entente, 1907

With the Anglo-Russian Entente of 1907, following the Anglo-French Entente

Cordiale of 1904, the so-called Triple Entente of Britain, France and Russia was
established.

The Triple Entente stood in opposition to the Triple Alliance (otherwise referred to as
the Central Powers) of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy.

Agreement Concerning Persia

The Governments of Great Britain and Russia having mutually engaged to respect the
integrity and independence of Persia, and sincerely desiring the preservation of order
throughout that country and its peaceful development, as well as the permanent
establishment of equal advantages for the trade and industry of all other nations;

Considering that each of them has, for geographical and economic reasons, a special
interest in the maintenance of peace and order in certain provinces of Persia adjoining,
or in the neighbourhood of, the Russian frontier on the one hand, and the frontiers of
Afghanistan and Baluchistan on the other hand; and being desirous of avoiding all
 Alliances and Treaties – WW1

cause of conflict between their respective interests in the above-mentioned provinces

of Persia.