Ep 32. The Alliance System - 1872 - 1914

The Alliance System - 1872 - 1914 is the thirty-second episode of season one of Foundations of Western Civilization II: A History of the Modern Western World. This episode explores the political and military alliances that were formed in Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, leading up to the outbreak of World War I.

The episode begins with a brief overview of the balance of power in Europe in the late 19th century, with a focus on the major players: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, France, and Great Britain. The narrator then explains how alliances began to form between these nations, as a means of preserving the balance of power and preventing any one nation from becoming too dominant.

The first major alliance to be formed was the Dual Alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary, which was signed in 1879. This alliance was created to counter the influence of Russia in the Balkans, and it was later expanded to include Italy, forming the Triple Alliance.

In response to the Triple Alliance, Russia formed an alliance with France in 1894. This alliance, known as the Franco-Russian Alliance, was designed to counter the power of Germany and Austria-Hungary. As tensions continued to rise in Europe, other nations began to join the alliance system. Great Britain, for example, signed a series of agreements with France and Russia in the early 20th century, creating what came to be known as the Triple Entente.

The episode goes on to explore the ways in which the alliance system affected the politics and diplomacy of Europe in the years leading up to World War I. The narrator explains how the alliances created a complex web of relationships between the major powers, making it difficult to resolve conflicts or negotiate peace. Instead, the alliance system often led to a reliance on military power and a willingness to go to war.

The episode concludes by explaining how the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in 1914 set off a chain of events that led to the outbreak of World War I. The alliance system, which had been designed to prevent war, ultimately failed to prevent conflict and instead contributed to the escalation of the war.

Overall, The Alliance System - 1872 - 1914 is a fascinating exploration of the ways in which political and military alliances can shape the course of history. The episode provides important context for the events leading up to World War I, and offers insights into the complex relationships between the major powers of Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.