... Austria-Hungary which came about in 1879. This later became the Triple Alliance with the inclusion of Italy in 1882. The main aim of the Triple Alliance was to isolate France, since Bismarck saw France as Germany's biggest rival. Bismarck even managed to secure relations with Russia with the Reinsurance treaty of 1887. However, Bismarck's successors, although continuing the Triple Alliance, let relations with Russia slip. As a result of this, Russia formed a new alliance with France: the Franco-Russian Alliance. The main aim of this alliance was that both countries would protect each other in the event of a German attack. The Franco-Russian Alliance thus created two rival groups of powers on the continent of Europe. With Europe's main powers all involved in alliances, Britain seemed somewhat isolated. Although Britain did have some links with Europe, like the Mediterranean agreement, drawn up with Italy in 1887, by the time of ...

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