Alliance System

The Alliance System refers to a network of countries forming agreements or partnerships to support one another, particularly in military matters. These alliances were prominent before World War I, with major groups like the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Russia, and Britain). The system aimed to maintain balance and deter conflict, but it also meant that a conflict between two countries could quickly involve their allies, escalating into larger wars. This interconnectedness was a significant factor in the outbreak of World War I.