The Complex Alliance: Germany And Austria-Hungary's Union

Germany and Austria-Hungary's alliance was formed in 1879, and was renewed periodically until World War I. The two countries were closely associated following the Dual Alliance of 1879, although the Habsburg Monarchy was the junior partner. The alliance was formed due to their common distrust of Russia, and the desire to portray Germany as a peacemaker and preserver of the European status quo.

The alliance was formed in 1882

The alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary was formed in 1882, with Italy joining to create the Triple Alliance. Germany and Austria-Hungary had been closely allied since 1879, when they formed the Dual Alliance. The two countries were united by a common language and culture, but were often driven apart, notably during the Austro-Prussian War. They also had a common distrust of Russia, which brought them together. After the formation of the German Empire in 1871, German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck wanted to portray his nation as a peacemaker and preserver of the European status quo.

The Triple Alliance was a secret agreement, renewed periodically until World War I. Italy sought the support of Germany and Austria-Hungary against France, shortly after losing North African ambitions to the French. The treaty provided that Germany and Austria-Hungary were to assist Italy if it were attacked by France without Italian provocation, and Italy would assist Germany if Germany were attacked by France. In the event of a war between Austria-Hungary and Russia, Italy promised to remain neutral. This abstention would have the effect of freeing Austrian troops that would otherwise have been needed to guard the Austrian-Italian border.

Germany and Austria-Hungary had been closely allied since 1879

Fear of Germany encouraged France and Russia to form an alliance in 1894. This pushed Germany into an even closer alliance with its neighbour, the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The members of these rival power blocs maintained mass armies through compulsory military service. Rapid developments in military technology forced them to spend huge sums on these armies.

Italy joined the alliance in 1882

Germany and Austria-Hungary had been closely allied since 1879, when they formed the Dual Alliance. The two countries shared a common language and culture, but were often driven apart, most notably during the Austro-Prussian War. Their common distrust of Russia brought them together, however, and in 1882, Italy joined the alliance, forming the Triple Alliance. Italy sought the support of Germany and Austria-Hungary against France, shortly after losing North African ambitions to the French. The treaty provided that Germany and Austria-Hungary were to assist Italy if it were attacked by France without Italian provocation; Italy would assist Germany if Germany were attacked by France. In the event of a war between Austria-Hungary and Russia, Italy promised to remain neutral. This abstention would have the effect of freeing Austrian troops that would otherwise have been needed to guard the Austrian-Italian border. The Triple Alliance was renewed periodically until World War I.

The alliance was formed due to a common distrust of Russia

The alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary was formed due to a common distrust of Russia. The two empires shared the German language and a similar culture, but were often driven apart, most notably during the Austro-Prussian War. After the formation of the German Empire in 1871, German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck wanted to portray his nation as a peacemaker and preserver of the European status quo, to gain more power for the German Empire and to unify Germany. In 1878, the Russian Empire defeated the Ottoman Empire in the Russo-Turkish War. This, along with the fear of Germany encouraged France and Russia to form an alliance in 1894, pushed Germany into a closer alliance with Austria-Hungary.

The two countries had been closely allied since 1879, when they formed the Dual Alliance. In 1882, they formed the Triple Alliance with Italy, which was renewed periodically until World War I. The treaty provided that Germany and Austria-Hungary were to assist Italy if it were attacked by France without Italian provocation; Italy would assist Germany if Germany were attacked by France. In the event of a war between Austria-Hungary and Russia, Italy promised to remain neutral. This abstention would have the effect of freeing Austrian troops that would otherwise have been needed to guard the Austrian-Italian border.

During the 1900s, a dangerous rift arose between Russia and Austria-Hungary, who had conflicting ambitions in South Eastern Europe. Austria-Hungary's desire to crush Serbia, and Russia's support for the latter during the crisis of 1914, were motivated by fear that they would lose their status as 'Great Powers' if they backed down. In August 1914, the military and political leadership of Germany concluded that war should be risked 'now or never' if they were to achieve their vision of Germany's destiny. They planned to defeat France swiftly, before Russia could marshal its forces. The invasion of France and the violation of Belgian neutrality brought Britain into the war.

The alliance was renewed periodically until World War I

Germany and Austria-Hungary had been closely allied since 1879, when they formed the Dual Alliance. The unification of Germany as a nation state under Bismarck was completed in 1871, and the German Chancellor wanted to portray his nation as a peacemaker and preserver of the European status quo, to gain more power for the German Empire and to unify Germany. The two countries were also united by their common distrust of Russia.

In 1882, Italy joined the alliance, forming the Triple Alliance. This was a secret agreement that was renewed periodically until World War I. The treaty provided that Germany and Austria-Hungary were to assist Italy if it were attacked by France without Italian provocation; Italy would assist Germany if Germany were attacked by France. In the event of a war between Austria-Hungary and Russia, Italy promised to remain neutral. This abstention would have the effect of freeing Austrian troops that would otherwise have been needed to guard the Austrian-Italian border.

Frequently asked questions