Tavernia – AP World History
Unit 7 – Source Document 7-2
Alliance Systems of World War I
There were four main causes of World War I: militarism, alliances, imperialism and nationalism. The first world war was
a direct result of these four main causes, but it was triggered by the assassination of the Austrian archduke Franz
Ferdinand and his wife. The assassination took place on June 28, 1914 and the first world war began immediately after
in August 1914. Gavrilo Princip was the assassinator and was a Bosnian revolutionary. Militarism was a cause of the
war because the war was an "arms race" with Britain, France and Germany competing to build larger armies and navies.
In fact, between 1870 and 1914, all of the major powers, besides the United States and Great Britain, more than doubled
their army's sizes. Alliances was a cause of the war because it forced many countries to enter into the conflict even
though they were not affected originally. As each country's alliances became involved and then those alliance's alliances
became involved, the war grew to encompass the entire world. Imperialism is the gathering of colonies and in the
1890s, many countries that had not had many colonies decided that they wanted to have more colonies. This led to a
global competition for land. Nationalism is having pride in one's country and believing that one's country is better than
other countries. This nationalist pride helped to fuel the war.
The Triple Alliance - May 20, 1882
The first 8 articles an alliance between Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary
ARTICLE 1. The High Contracting Parties mutually promise peace and friendship, and will enter into no alliance or
engagement directed against any one of their States. They engage to proceed to an exchange of ideas on political and
economic questions of a general nature which may arise, and they further promise one another mutual support within
the limits of their own interests.
ARTICLE 2. In case Italy, without direct provocation on her part, should be attacked by France for any reason
whatsoever, the two other Contracting Parties shall be bound to lend help and assistance with all their forces to the
Party attacked. This same obligation shall devolve upon Italy in case of any aggression without direct provocation by
France against Germany.
ARTICLE 3. If one, or two, of the High Contracting Parties, without direct provocation on their part, should chance to be
attacked and to be engaged in a war with two or more Great Powers non-signatory to the present Treaty, the casus
foederis [case for the alliance] will arise simultaneously for all the High Contracting Parties.
ARTICLE 4. In case a Great Power non-signatory to the present Treaty should threaten the security of the states of one of
the High Contracting Parties, and the threatened Party should find itself forced on that account to make war against it,
the two others bind themselves to observe towards their Ally a benevolent neutrality. Each of them reserves to itself, in
this case, the right to take part in the war, if it should see fit, to make common cause with its Ally.
ARTICLE 5. If the peace of any of the High Contracting Parties should chance to be threatened under the circumstances
foreseen by the preceding Articles, the High Contracting Parties shall take counsel together in ample time as to the
military measures to be taken with a view to eventual cooperation. They engage henceforward, in all cases of common
participation in a war, to conclude neither armistice, nor peace, nor treaty, except by common agreement among
themselves.
ARTICLE 6. The High Contracting Parties mutually promise secrecy as to the contents and existence of the present
Treaty.
ARTICLE 7. The present Treaty shall remain in force during the space of five years, dating from the day of the exchange
of ratifications.
ARTICLE 8. The ratifications of the present Treaty shall be exchanged at Vienna within three weeks, or sooner if may be.
In witness whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the present Treaty and have annexed thereto the seal of
their arms. Done at Vienna, the twentieth day of the month of May of the year one thousand eight hundred and eightytwo. (L.S.) KALNOKY (L.S.) H. VII v. REUSS (L.S.) C. ROBILANT
MINISTERIAL DECLARATION The Royal Italian Government declares that the provisions of the secret Treaty concluded
May 20, 1882, between Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Germany, cannot, as has been previously agreed, in any case be
regarded as being directed against England.
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The Triple Entente – 1904/1907
With the Anglo-Russian Entente of 1907, following the Anglo-French Entente Cordiale of 1904, the so-called Triple
Entente of Britain, France and Russia was established.
Anglo-French Entente Cordiale, 1904
Article 1
His Britannic Majesty's Government declare that they have no intention of altering the political status of Egypt. The
Government of the French Republic, for their part, declare that they will not obstruct the action of Great Britain in that
country. It is agreed that the post of Director-General of Antiquities in Egypt shall continue, as in the past, to be entrusted
to a French savant. The French schools in Egypt shall continue to enjoy the same liberty as in the past.
Article 2
The Government of the French Republic declare that they have no intention of altering the political status of Morocco.
His Britannic Majesty's Government, for their part, recognise that it appertains to France, more particularly as a Power
whose dominions are conterminous for a great distance with those of Morocco, to preserve order in that country, and to
provide assistance for the purpose of all administrative, economic, financial, and military reforms which it may require.
They declare that they will not obstruct the action taken by France for this purpose, provided that such action shall leave
intact the rights which Great Britain, in virtue of treaties, conventions, and usage, enjoys in Morocco, including the right
of coasting trade between the ports of Morocco, enjoyed by British vessels since 1901.
Article 3
His Britannic Majesty's Government for their part, will respect the rights which France, in virtue of treaties, conventions,
and usage, enjoys in Egypt, including the right of coasting trade between Egyptian ports accorded to French vessels.
Article 4
The two Governments, being equally attached to the principle of commercial liberty both in Egypt and Morocco, declare
that they will not, in those countries, countenance any inequality either in the imposition of customs duties or other taxes,
or of railway transport charges. The trade of both nations with Morocco and with Egypt shall enjoy the same treatment in
transit through the French and British possessions in Africa. An agreement between the two Governments shall settle the
conditions of such transit and shall determine the points of entry. This mutual engagement shall be binding for a period
of thirty years. Unless this stipulation is expressly denounced at least one year in advance, the period shall be extended
for five years at a time. Nevertheless the Government of the French Republic reserve to themselves in Morocco, and His
Britannic Majesty's Government reserve to themselves in Egypt, the right to see that the concessions for roads, railways,
ports, etc., are only granted on such conditions as will maintain intact the authority of the State over these great
undertakings of public interest.
Article 5
His Britannic Majesty's Government declare that they will use their influence in order that the French officials now in the
Egyptian service may not be placed under conditions less advantageous than those applying to the British officials in the
service. The Government of the French Republic, for their part, would make no objection to the application of analogous
conditions to British officials now in the Moorish service.
Article 6
In order to ensure the free passage of the Suez Canal, His Britannic Majesty's Government declare that they adhere to the
treaty of the 29th October, 1888, and that they agree to their being put in force. The free passage of the Canal being thus
guaranteed, the execution of the last sentence of paragraph 1 as well as of paragraph 2 of Article of that treaty will remain
in abeyance.
Article 7
In order to secure the free passage of the Straits of Gibraltar, the two Governments agree not to permit the erection of
any fortifications or strategic works on that portion of the coast of Morocco comprised between, but not including, Melilla
and the heights which command the right bank of the River Sebou. This condition does not, however, apply to the places
at present in the occupation of Spain on the Moorish coast of the Mediterranean.
Article 8
The two Governments, inspired by their feeling of sincere friendship for Spain, take into special consideration the interests
which that country derives from her geographical position and from her territorial possessions on the Moorish coast of
the Mediterranean. In regard to these interests the French Government will come to an understanding with the Spanish
Government. The agreement which may be come to on the subject between France and Spain shall be communicated to
His Britannic Majesty's Government.
Article 9
The two Governments agree to afford to one another their diplomatic support, in order to obtain the execution of the
clauses of the present Declaration regarding Egypt and Morocco.
In witness whereof his Excellency the Ambassador of the French Republic at the Court of His Majesty the King of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, and His Majesty's
Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, duly authorised for that purpose, have signed the present Declaration and
have affixed thereto their seals. Done at London, in duplicate, the 8th day of April, 1904.
Secret Articles
Article 1
In the event of either Government finding themselves constrained, by the force of circumstances, to modify their policy
in respect to Egypt or Morocco, the engagements which they have undertaken towards each other by Articles 4, 6, and 7
of the Declaration of today's date would remain intact.
Article 2
His Britannic Majesty's Government have no present intention of proposing to the Powers any changes in the system of
the Capitulations, or in the judicial organisation of Egypt. In the event of their considering it desirable to introduce in
Egypt reforms tending to assimilate the Egyptian legislative system to that in force in other civilised Countries, the
Government of the French Republic will not refuse to entertain any such proposals, on the understanding that His Britannic
Majesty's Government will agree to entertain the suggestions that the Government of the French Republic may have to
make to them with a view of introducing similar reforms in Morocco.
Article 3
The two Governments agree that a certain extent of Moorish territory adjacent to Melilla, Ceuta, and other presides
should, whenever the Sultan ceases to exercise authority over it, come within the sphere of influence of Spain, and that
the administration of the coast from Melilla as far as, but not including, the heights on the right bank of the Sebou shall
be entrusted to Spain. Nevertheless, Spain would previously have to give her formal assent to the provisions of Articles 4
and 7 of the Declaration of today's date, and undertake to carry them out. She would also have to undertake not to
alienate the whole, or a part, of the territories placed under her authority or in her sphere of influence.
Article 4
If Spain, when invited to assent to the provisions of the preceding article, should think proper to decline, the arrangement
between France and Great Britain, as embodied in the Declaration of today's date, would be none the less at once
applicable.
Article 5
Should the consent of the other Powers to the draft Decree mentioned in Article I of the Declaration of today's date not
be obtained, the Government of the French Republic will not oppose the repayment at par of the Guaranteed, Privileged,
and Unified Debts after the 15th July, 1910. Done at London, in duplicate, the 8th day of April, 1904.
Source: Great Britain, Parliamentary Papers, London, 1911, Vol. CIII, Cmd. 5969.
Anglo-Russian Entente, 1907
The Governments of Great Britain and Russia having mutually engaged to respect the integrity and independence of
Persia, and sincerely desiring the preservation of order throughout that country and its peaceful development, as well
as the permanent establishment of equal advantages for the trade and industry of all other nations; Considering that
each of them has, for geographical and economic reasons, a special interest in the maintenance of peace and order in
certain provinces of Persia adjoining, or in the neighbourhood of, the Russian frontier on the one hand, and the frontiers
of Afghanistan and Baluchistan on the other hand; and being desirous of avoiding all cause of conflict between their
respective interests in the above-mentioned provinces of Persia; Have agreed on the following terms:
Article I
Great Britain engages not to seek for herself, and not to support in favour of British subjects, or in favour of the subjects
of third Powers, any Concessions of a political or commercial nature/emdash such as Concessions for railways, banks,
telegraphs, roads, transport, insurance, etc. - beyond a line starting from Kasr-i-Shirin, passing through Isfahan, Yezd,
Kakhk, and ending at a point on the Persian frontier at the intersection of the Russian and Afghan frontiers, and not to
oppose, directly or indirectly, demands for similar Concessions in this region which are supported by the Russian
Government. It is understood that the above-mentioned places are included in the region in which Great Britain engages
not to seek the Concessions referred to.
Article II
Russia, on her part, engages not to seek for herself and not to support, in favour of Russian subjects, or in favour of the
subjects of third Powers, any Concessions of a political or commercial nature - such as Concessions for railways, banks,
telegraphs, roads, transport, insurance, etc. - beyond a line going from the Afghan frontier by way of Gazik, Birjand,
Kerman, and ending at Bunder Abbas, and not to oppose, directly or indirectly, demands for similar Concessions in this
region which are supported by the British Government. It is understood that the above-mentioned places are included in
the region in which Russia engages not to seek the Concessions referred to.
Article III
Russia, on her part, engages not to oppose, without previous arrangement with Great Britain, the grant of any Concessions
whatever to British subjects in the regions of Persia situated between the lines mentioned in Articles I and II. Great Britain
undertakes a similar engagement as regards the grant of Concessions to Russian subjects in the same regions of Persia.
All Concessions existing at present in the regions indicated in Articles I and II and maintained.
Article IV
It is understood that the revenues of all the Persian customs, with the exception of those of Farsistan and of the Persian
Gulf, revenues guaranteeing the amortization and the interest of the loans concluded by the Government of the Shah with
the "Banque d'escompte et des Prits de Perse" up to the date of the signature of the present Agreement, shall be devoted
to the same purpose as in the past. It is equally understood that the revenues of the Persian customs of Farsistan and of
the Persian Gulf, as well as those of the fisheries on the Persian shore of the Caspian Sea and those of the Posts and
telegraphs, shall be devoted, as in the past, to the service of the loans concluded by the Government of the Shah with the
Imperial Bank of Persia up to the date of the signature of the present Agreement.
Article V
In the event of irregularities occurring in the amortization or payment of interest of the Persian loans concluded with the
"Banque d'escompte et des Prits de Perse" and with the Imperial Bank of Persia up to the date of the signature of the
present Agreement, and in the event of the necessity arising for Russia to establish control over the sources of revenue
guaranteeing the regular service of the loans concluded with the first-named bank, and situated in the region mentioned
in Article II of the present Agreement, or for Great Britain to establish control over the sources of revenue guaranteeing
the regular service of the loans concluded with the second-named bank, and situated in the region mentioned in Article I
of the present Agreement, the British and Russian Governments undertake to enter beforehand into a friendly exchange
of ideas with a view to determine, in agreement with each other, the measures of control in question and to avoid all
interference which would not be in conformity with the principles governing the present Agreement.
Source: Great Britain, Parliamentary Papers, London, 1908, Vol CXXV, Cmd. 3750.