The Final Picture of Bismarck's System of Alliances

Reinsurance Treaty of 1881-Triple Alliance

Bismarck was able to reduce the fears of a two-front war when he signed the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia. The treaty was designed to help Bismarck overcome two problems. The first was the fear of being dragged into a war in the Balkans region. Both Russian and Austria-Hungary expected Germany to support them in case of a war. Second, if Russia did not feel that Germany was a supporter of them, she might look to the French for support, and the fear of a two-front war would be a possibility.

Russia was very paranoid about the Dual Alliance. She believed that the alliance was directed at her. Therefore, Russia approached Bismarck and requested an alliance. Bismarck took the opportunity to solve his problems. In creating the treaty, he was clever enough to include Austria-Hungary in the deal as well. Russia and Austria-Hungary were rivals in the Balkans region so Bismarck forced them to work together. This cleared up the problem of being dragged into a Balkan war. The treaty stated that if a country were to attack one of the members, the others would come to their aid of the country that was attacked. Yet, the most important aspect of the treaty for Germany was that it eliminated a two-front war.

The Triple Alliance 1882

The final treaty developed by Bismarck was the Triple Alliance. Italy approached Bismarck over fears of French expansion in North Africa. Italy believed that the Mediterranean area and North Africa belonged in her sphere of influence (an area considered to be under the control or guidance of major power). In other words, Italy thought that she was in control of activities in the Mediterranean region. At the time, however, France was expanding her control in the Moroccan area of North Africa.

The fear of French expansion drove Italy to request an alliance with Germany. Bismarck once again took advantage of the situation. By bringing Italy into his alliance system, France would be isolated from all potential continental allies. The final treaty protected Italy from French attack, and only required her to fight if two or more countries attacked Germany or Austria-Hungary. The treaty alleviated Italian fears and provided Bismarck with a solid base of support.

The only country that remained as a possible ally for France was England. Unfortunately for the French, the two countries had been traditional rivals for hundreds of years and were involved in minor conflicts overseas. France had been successfully isolated by the creation of the alliance system. The system was elaborate and complicated, but Bismarck had achieved his goals. Germany was now well protected with powerful allies, and its main enemy was isolated.