In the years until 1879 Germany, Austria-Hungaria and Russia was allied. In 1879 it came to a conflict between Russia and Germany. As protection against a russian attack, Germany and Austria-Hungary formed an agreement that if either were attacked the other should support with soldiers, weapons and other supply. In 1882 Italy signed the same agreement but joined the Triple Entente instead in 1915.
<l:h1>The Central Powers:<l:/h1>
<l:el_germany>
<l:el_austria>
<l:el_turkey> joined the alliance in 1914.
This alliance frightened France and Russia who both feared that they would be attacked and beated by these three powerfull nations. Their fear resultet in an alliance betwen France and Russia in 1892.
England were too involved in its oversea colonies to involve in the european power struggle. But in one of its colonies, South Africa, the english fought the Boer war. In this war Germany helped the Boers which made the english distrust Germany. This made King Edward of England visit France in 1903 to sign an agreement called Entente Cordinale. Four years later - in 1907 - they signed an agreement with Russia, who already had an agreement with France. These three members made the other powerfull alliance named:
