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WW1


Austria-Hungary was concerned that this Russian encouragement of nationalism may threaten her borders and inspire nationalism within her own empire. In turn, Germany recognised that as Austria's closest ally her fate was linked with that of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Austria-Hungary was anxious to prevent Russian encroachment in the Balkans. This aim would be best served by the elimination of Serbia, Russia's Balkan ally. In 1878, Russia was humiliated at the Congress of Berlin when her proposal for a Greater Bulgarian state was rejected and Austria-Hungary occupied Bosnia to maintain order amongst the nationalist revolts. This also prevented Serbian encroachment in Bosnia, where many Serbs were. Again, Russia felt humiliated and cheated in 1908 when Austria-Hungary absorbed Bosnia and Herzegovina and Russia did not gain the Black Sea Straits as promised. Russia was forced to back down over the Straits because the issue met with widespread international displeasure. With Germany supporting Austria-Hungary, and Russia recently defeated by Japan, she was not in a position to go to war over the issue. Russia did not want to back down like this again. .
             France, Russia and Great Britain were alarmed at the way the balance of power had in Europe had altered by the formation of the German Empire. Franco-German rivalry stems back to the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-1871. Germany took the rich provinces of Alsace and Lorraine from France. France also had to pay massive reparations. Therefore, Germany, in a bid to prevent French revenge took steps to reduce France's potential allies. One method was the formation of the Dreiskaiserbund (three Emperor's league) in 1873:- a union between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia. However, the league expired in 1887 when Russia did not renew. .
             Rivalry between Germany and Britain arose due to Germany becoming industrially and economically successful very quickly.


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