Triple Entente
The Triple Entente was the alliance formed in 1908 when
Russia and
France included
England in a military pact to balance the power of the
Triple Alliance (1882). Russia had been a member of the Three Emperors' League along with
Austria-Hungary and
Germany, but when
Kaiser Wilhelm II ousted Russia from the league, Russia formed a military alliance with France. Britain had been asked to join in an alliance with Germany, but did not agree with the ideological and military goals of Germany. Furthermore, Britain and Germany had been in a naval
Arms race for decades. When Britain signed the treaty with Russia and France, the Triple Entente was formed. With the addition of
Italy in 1915, the Triple Entente was the force that opposed the Triple Alliance during
World War I.