The Balkans and the Alliance System

The settlement of 1878 revealed the extent to which Germany was willing to support Austria-Hungary in its Balkan aggression. These two countries had come together in a Dual Alliance in 1879, and, joined by Italy in 1882, had formed a Triple Alliance. In the event of war, each of these important countries was prepared to help its allies.

Fear of Austro-Hungarian (and behind Austria-Hungary, Germany) ambitions in south-east Europe explains why Russia joined France in a military alliance in 1892. Europe had formed two hostile, and increasingly armed, blocs.

• The Eastern Question
• Map of the Balkans in 1871
• Map of the Balkans in 1878
• Map of the Balkans in 1914
• Big Power Ambitions in the Balkans
• The Treaty of Berlin 1878
• The Bosnian Crisis
• The Balkan Wars and after
• Top of Page

© Shirley Burchill, Nigel Hughes, Richard Gale, Peter Price and Keith Woodall 2009