Bismarck sought to consolidate Germany's victory in the Franco-Prussian War by isolating France and maintaining friendship with Russia. The Austro-German Dual Alliance became the Triple Alliance when Italy joined after France occupied Tunisia. After Wilhelm II dismissed Bismarck, France's defensive agreement with Russia produced a second continental alignment. These treaties divided Europe into opposing blocs while Britain remained outside both.
Chapter · 11:34-12:49
Fuller traces Europe's alliance system after 1870
J. F. C. Fuller's The Conduct of War follows Bismarck's effort to preserve Germany's victory through alliances and the later emergence of opposing continental blocs.