Lexi Webster
The Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, signed on October 7, 1879, was an alliance formed between Austria-Hungary and Germany, binding the two nations together. The treaty was renewed every five years and obligated both powers to come to each other's aid if attacked by Russia or another power supported by Russia. This treaty was significant as it set the stage for World War I and the subsequent breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which resulted in the independence of several nations, including Czechoslovakia, Poland, and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (later known as Yugoslavia).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | October 7, 1879 |
| Validity | Derived from the approbation of the two Exalted Sovereigns |
| Renewal | Every 5 years |
| Ratification | Within 14 days of the approbation |
| Purpose | To obligate Germany and Austria-Hungary to come to each other's aid if attacked by Russia or a power supported by Russia |
| Result | The German General Staff drew up a war plan for a two-front war against Russia and France |
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What You'll Learn
The Dual Alliance Treaty of 1879
The treaty was formed between the two empires to protect themselves against attacks from Russia, as stated in Article 1:
> "Should ... one of the two Empires be attacked by Russia, the Parties are bound to come to the assistance of one another with the whole war strength of their Empires, and accordingly only to conclude peace together and upon mutual agreement."
Article 2 further emphasised the alliance, stating that if one of the parties were attacked, the other would not support the aggressor but maintain a neutral attitude towards its fellow party:
> "Should one of the Parties be attacked by another Power, the other Party binds itself hereby, not only not to support the aggressor against its ally, but to observe at least a benevolent neutral attitude towards its fellow Party."
The Dual Alliance Treaty was kept secret, with Article 4 stating:
> "This Treaty shall, in conformity with its peaceful character, and to avoid any misinterpretation, be kept secret by the two Parties, and only communicated to a third Power upon a joint understanding between the two Parties, and according to the terms of a special Agreement."
The treaty was significant as it led to the formation of the Triple Alliance in 1882, with Italy joining Germany and Austria-Hungary. However, during World War I, Italy did not immediately join its allies, instead remaining neutral until 1915 when it joined the Entente powers and declared war on Austria-Hungary and, later, in 1916, on Germany. The Dual Alliance persisted throughout World War I as part of the Central Powers until their defeat in 1918.
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$17.41
The Treaty of San Stefano
The treaty's most important provision established an independent Bulgarian principality, which included most of Macedonia and extended to the Danube, from the Aegean to the Black Sea. This transformed Bulgarian nationalism, turning it from a disunited movement into a united one. Montenegro also gained formerly Ottoman-controlled areas, more than doubling its territory, and its independence was recognized. Serbia gained the cities of Niš and Leskovac in Moravian Serbia and became independent. Turkey recognized the independence of Romania, which gained Northern Dobruja from Russia (transferred from the Ottoman Empire) and ceded Southern Bessarabia in a forced exchange.
In exchange for war reparations, Russia was ceded Armenian and Georgian territories in the Caucasus, including Ardahan, Artvin, Batum, Kars, Olti, Beyazit, and Alashkert. The treaty was opposed by Austria-Hungary, which disliked the encouragement of Slav nationalism, and by Britain, which feared the new Bulgarian state would become a Russian satellite and a threat to Istanbul and British influence in the eastern Mediterranean.
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The Treaty of Berlin
I found two treaties that bound Germany to Austria-Hungary: the Treaty of Berlin (1878) and the Treaty of Berlin (1926). I also found a treaty from 1879 that created a dual alliance between Austria-Hungary and Germany.
The Dual Alliance of 1879
The Dual Alliance treaty of 1879 created a binding alliance between Austria-Hungary and Germany. The treaty was to be valid for five years and was to be kept secret by the two High Contracting Parties.
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The Triple Alliance
The Treaty of Alliance, also known as the Dual Alliance, was signed between Austria-Hungary and Germany on October 7, 1879. The treaty was valid for five years and was to be kept secret by the two High Contracting Parties.
Now, the Triple Alliance was a defensive military alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. It was formed on May 20, 1882, and was renewed periodically until World War I. Germany and Austria-Hungary had already been closely allied for three years when the Triple Alliance was formed. Italy sought their support against France, with whom they had recently lost a conflict over North African ambitions. The treaty stipulated that Germany and Austria-Hungary would assist Italy if it were attacked by France without provocation, and Italy would assist Germany in the same scenario. In the event of a war between Austria-Hungary and Russia, Italy promised to remain neutral.
The man chiefly responsible for the Triple Alliance was German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. His primary goal was to preserve the status quo in Europe after he had unified Germany in 1871. He was particularly concerned about France finding allies to help it regain Alsace-Lorraine. By promising to aid Austria-Hungary and Italy in the event of an attack, Bismarck sought to make them somewhat dependent on Germany and, therefore, unsympathetic to French interests.
In February 1887, when the treaty was renewed, Italy gained an empty promise of German support for its colonial ambitions in North Africa in return for Italy's continued friendship. Austria-Hungary had to be pressured by Bismarck into accepting the principles of consultation and mutual agreement with Italy on any territorial changes in the Balkans or on the coasts and islands of the Adriatic and Aegean seas. Italy and Austria-Hungary did not overcome their basic conflict of interest in that region, despite the treaty. In 1891, attempts were made to join Britain to the Triple Alliance, which, though unsuccessful, were widely believed to have succeeded in Russian diplomatic circles.
On October 18, 1883, King Carol I of Romania secretly pledged to support the Triple Alliance, but he later remained neutral in World War I, viewing Austria-Hungary as the aggressor. On November 1, 1902, five months after the Triple Alliance was renewed, Italy reached an understanding with France that each would remain neutral in the event of an attack on the other. When the Austro-Hungarian Empire decided to start a war in August 1914 with the rival Triple Entente, Italy proclaimed its neutrality, again considering Austria-Hungary the aggressor. Italy did not take part in World War I on the side of the Central Powers and later joined on the side of the Allied Powers.
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The Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye
The treaty consisted of 381 articles, divided into 14 parts, and was written in French, English, and Italian. Notably, the treaty recognised the independence of Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, and the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (Yugoslavia). It also ceded eastern Galicia, Trento, southern Tirol, Trieste, and Istria. Plebiscites determined the disposition of southern Carinthia, which went to Austria, and the town of Sopron, which went to Hungary.
Furthermore, Article 88 of the treaty prohibited Austria from compromising its independence by entering into a political or economic union with the Weimar Republic without the agreement of the League of Nations. As a result, Austria was required to change its self-chosen name from German-Austria to Austria. This term was considered harsh by many Austrians, especially those who supported the idea of a single German nation-state. The treaty also included provisions regarding Danubian navigation, the transfer of railways, and other details related to the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
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Frequently asked questions
The Dual Alliance treaty of 1879 bound Germany to Austria-Hungary.
Germany and Austria-Hungary formed an alliance against their common rival, Russia.
The treaty was to be in effect for five years and was renewable every five years.
The treaty obligated Germany and Austria-Hungary to come to each other's aid if either was attacked by Russia or another power supported by Russia.
The treaty was significant as it led to the formation of the Triple Alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy in 1882, and it also contributed to the complex system of alliances that existed before World War I.
