6.1 Did Alliance System & global diplomacy make war more likely?
The years after 1900 saw the major powers of Europe feeling less secure as rivalries between them became more intense. Even Britain abandoned its policy of 'splendid isolation' in 1902 to make an alliance with Japan. By 1914 Europe was divided into two main alliances - the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente. This section explores the extent to which this 'Alliance system' contributed to the outbreak of war....