Causes of the Franco-Russian Alliance :: European Europe History

Causes of the Franco-Russian AllianceDuring the late 19th century many countries sought an shackle with other countries to guarantee their own safety, preserve peace and sometimes to help their economic position. this is highlighted by alliances and treaties such as the Dual Alliance of 1879, the Dreikaiserbund of 1881 and the Reinsurance Treaty This was also the case for both France and Russia, with them agreeing the Franco-Russian Military Convention on wonderful 18th 1892 and later agreeing the Franco-Russian Alliance in 1893. France and Russia were animated by a common desire to preserve peace. The except reason it was possible for France and Russia to form this alliance is because Germany allowed the Reinsurance treaty to become invalid. Both countries treasured unalike things from the alliance but there was one common reason between them, and that was to oppose Germany - although both countries had different incentives for this. France, Russia and Germany all contributed t o the alliance being formed, either through their aims or what they did.France aimed to get revenge on Germany for the Franco - Prussian war of 1970 - 1971 where France were disastrously defeated, Germany aimed to stay free from an encroachment from France and keep Austria-Hungary happy as France and Austria- Hungary were on either side of German, and Russia wanted an ally so it could feel safe form Germany.France made an alliance with Russia because it was against Germany. France wanted Revenge on Germany because of the humiliation of losing the Franco-Prussian war and the valuable land lost, like Alsace - Lorraine. They wanted revenge and this widely known. France knew that without Russias help, the wrong done to France by Prussia in 1871, in the matter of Alsace-Lorraine could never be repaired, so it was important France allied with a relatively strong power. Karl Marx said If Alsace - Lorraine is taken, then France will later make war with Germany in conjunction with France. F rance needed an ally because she felt extremely vulnerable, this was mainly due to Bismarck and Germany. Bismarck had been successful in isolating France diplomatically oer the previous decade, so she needed to catch up with the other major powers. France couldnt ally with Britain because Britain kept itself in splendid isolation, so Russia was really the only real choice as they were the only other great power who was suspicious and disliked Germany.France feared Germany, Germany had a preponderant military, so to counterbalance the German - British alliance, France agreed the Franco-Russian alliance.