Alliances Dbq

Alliances were extensively responsible for increasing tensions between nations. While there were various reasons for the increase in tension between nations, the Alliance system is considered to be the most prominent factor causing tension, which in turn, led to factors such as militarism becoming prevalent. Alliances drew together nations, but while in doing so, caused fear and distrust to prevail among other nations, therefore influencing them into creating their own alliances. When alliances are formed, especially any militaristic or colonial alliance, arms races are created as a byproduct. Arms races cause tension due to the threat of war from apposing sides, which segregates the nations and creates a distinct split in opinions, and thus segregates nations into sides. This is evident with the

As a result of this alliance and German support, Austro-Hungary then went to annex Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1908-09, thus starting the first Balkan Crisis. Source B reveals why alliances were responsible for increasing tension, as it states “ in the event of a Russian attack on Austria, Germany’s obligation as Austria’s ally might….. render a European conflagration* inevitable”. Therefore if Germany attacked Russia in fear or retaliation of an attack on Austro-Hungary, France would be drawn into the battle, as the 1894 Franco-Russian alliance, causes France aiding Russia against Germany. This would then cause Italy to be drawn into the battle due to the Triple Alliance (1882), which brought Italy in if two powers attacked Germany. These endless confrontations prove why alliances are responsible for increasing tension, as all Empires wished to expand, to ‘gain their place in the sun’, yet, if they did so, lots of battles would be triggered, due to the large amount of