European Alliances | World War I Review

In the early years of the 20th century, relations among the various European powers were complex. Prussia and France had been enemies since the Franco-Prussian war, which Prussia won. Each side claimed the territory of Alsace-Lorraine as its own. In order to bolster their position in the region, each side entered into networks of alliances. The alliance known as the “Triple Alliance” contained Germany, Austria, Italy, and Prussia. The “Triple Entente” contained France, Britain, and Russia. These two alliances would end up being the opposing sides in the great war of the ensuing years.