Why Britain and Japan aligned against Russia

Japan and Russia had recently fought alongside other powers during the Boxer Rebellion, but their expansionist interests soon collided. Britain feared Russian pressure toward India through Afghanistan while also watching French and Russian fleets in Europe and the Mediterranean. The older pattern of relying on Prussia no longer fitted a unified Germany pursuing its own interests. The Anglo-Japanese Alliance therefore gave Britain a capable Far Eastern navy and army while it concentrated strength nearer Europe. Japan, in return, gained the promise that a combined Franco-Russian intervention would bring the world's largest battle fleet to its side.