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In 1879 Germany and Austria-Hungary agreed to form a Dual Alliance. This became the Triple Alliance when in 1882 it was expanded to include Italy. The three countries agreed to support each other if attacked by either France or Russia. It was renewed at five-yearly intervals. The formation of the Triple Entente in 1907 by Britain, France and Russia, reinforced the need for the alliance.
Illustration from Neil Demarco's The Great War
Triple Alliance Resources in 1914
| Country |
Population |
Soldiers |
Battleships |
Foreign Trade (£) |
Steel Production (tons) |
| Germany |
65,000,000 |
8,500,000 |
37 |
1,030,380,000 |
17,024,000 |
| Austro-Hungary |
49,882,231 |
3,000,000 |
16 |
198,712,000 |
2,642,000 |
| Turkey |
21,373,900 |
360,000 |
- |
67,472,000 |
- |
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