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Crimean War
This war took place between the Russian Empire and an alliance among Britain, France, and the Ottoman Empire. Many European nations did not want Russia to expand into the Danube region, while Russia was upset that the holy sites were under Turkish control. This conflict empowered the Russian Empire, and also introduced many technological revolutions, such as the railroad. -
Franco-Prussian War
This war was an important battle between the Second French Empire and Prussia and South German States. The conflict emerged from problems concerning German unification. At the end of the war, Germany declared its union as the German Empire under Wilhem I, and gained the territory of Alsace-Lorraine from France. Germany faced industrialization under Bismarck. -
Russo-Turkish War
This conflict between the Russian and Ottoman Empires was driven primarily by Russia’s desire to gain back the lands it had lost during the Crimean War and gain a trade route in the Mediterranean Sea. Russia declared war on Ottoman under justification of liberating Balkan states from Ottoman control, while the Ottoman Empire was weak due to nationalist movements. -
Dual Alliance
This was a defensive alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary, established as a system in order to prevent war. Germany and Austria-Hungary promised to help one another in case Russia attacked either country. They also promised benevolent neutrality in the case either country was attacked by another European country. -
Triple Alliance
This was the alliance among Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, that lasted from 1882 to World War I against the Triple Entente among Britain, France, and Russia. The three countries promised to defend each other in case of attack from their enemies. -
Dual Alliance
This was a military alliance between the French Third Republic and Russia which lasted from 1892 to 1917. This brought down French diplomatic isolation, and undermined German supremacy in Europe. This helped France establish itself as the primary ally of Russia until 1917. -
Kruger Telegram
This telegram was sent from Kaiser Wilhem II to Paulus Kruger, president of Transvaal Republic, congratulating the president on repelling the Jameson Raid, composed of British expatriate miners who intended to lead an anti-government uprising. -
The Fashoda Incident
This marks the climax of territorial disputes between Britain and France in 1898 in East Africa. France desired to gain control of the Fashoda area, thus, the Upper Nile and thereby exclude Britain from Sudan. The British, however, strongly held ground and was on the verge of war with France. The incident ended in a diplomatic victory for the British. -
The Boer War
The Boer War of 1899 ended with the conversion of the Boer republics into British colonies, in promise of limited governance. The colonies later became a part of the Union of South Africa. The British had to fight directly against the Transvaal and Orange Free State. Due to this war, exiles and prisoners were unable to return to their farms, and concentration camps devastated the quality of the lives of the Boer and black population. -
Anglo-Japanese Alliance
This alliance between Britain and Japan lasted from 1902 to 1923 was meant to keep Russia’s and France’s powers in check. Britain and Japan both ensured their colonies in China and Korea, causing the colony nations to suffer economically. This damaged relationships between colonial powers and their colonies; the end of this alliance brought tensions between Britain and Japan. -
Entente Cordiale
The Entente Cordiale was a series of agreements signed between Britain and France, marking the alliance between the two countries against Germany during WWI. It marked the end to centuries of conflict between Britain and France, with France recognizing Britain’s control over Egypt, and Britain recognizing France’s control over Morocco. This later helped establish the Triple Entente among Britain, France, and Russia, and replaced the Modus Viveni. -
First Moroccan Crisis
The First Moroccan Crisis was an international crisis over the status of Morocco. Germany brought up the issue of Morocco’s independence to cause a friction between Britain and France, and advance its own business interests in the country. This incident clearly demonstrated the strength of the Entente Cordiale, and also served to be a primary reason for establishing the Anglo-Russian Entente. It also angered Kaiser Wilhem II, which motivated Germany to get involved in the 2nd Morrocan Crisis. -
Anglo- Russian Entente
This entente helped Britain and Russia establish and solidify boundaries that defined the regions of Persia, Afghanistan, and Tibet. The agreement helped to end years of conflict over less-developed regions in Central Asia, crushing any chances of Persian independence. As a result of this alliance, countries were triggered to create the "Triple Alliance" to oppose the Central Powers in 1914, and also motivated Russia to begin joining British military maneuvers. -
Bosnian Crisis
On October 6, 1908, Austria-Hungary announced the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, territories that were originally part of the Ottoman Empire. This unilateral proclamation angered and caused riots in neighboring countries, such as Serbia and Montenegro. Though the Treaty of Berlin in 1909 brought the issue to an end, it permanently damaged relationships between Austria-Hungary and the Serbia-Russia alliance. To gain more power as a result of this incident, Russia improved its military.
