anning to annex as
a colony. Italy, too weak to prevent this action of France, entered the
alliance with Germany and Austria into which she had been invited. So it
was that the Triple Alliance was established (1882), as a league of
defense against any nations which should begin an attack upon any one of
the three.

THE TRIPLE ENTENTE.--_Entente_ (ahn-tahnt') is the French word for
understanding or agreement. In the recent history of Europe it refers to
that friendly grouping of nations which was formed in self-defense
against the Triple Alliance. The war of 1870 had left France not only
humiliated but weakened and isolated. The formation of the Triple
Alliance put out of question the idea of a successful war against
Germany to right the wrong which France had suffered. In fact it seemed
to make more probable a new attack upon France. Russia also found
herself in a position of isolation. Their isolation and consequent
danger gradually drew these two nations together, distant as they were
from one another and different as they were in government and ideas. So
there was established a dual alliance between the French Republic and
the Russian Empire.

Great Britain had for a long time remained outside the jealousies and
combinations of the continental powers. In fact she had frequently found
herself at odds with France over the rights of the two nations in
Africa, and with Russia over the question of Constantinople and Russian
aggression in Asia. When English statesmen discovered, however, that the
German Empire was constantly enlarging her navy with a view to
challenging English control of the seas, they felt that it would be well
for Great Britain to seek friendships on the Continent. Old quarrels
with France and Russia were forgotten. Friendly relations were
established, and Great Britain, France, and Russia entered into a league
of friendship known as the Triple Entente (1907).

SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDY.--1. Locate the Bosporus,
Alsace-Lorraine, Italia Irredenta, Balkan peninsula, AEgean
Sea. 2. Explain the geographical importance of
Constantinople. How was Russia prevented from taking it in
the Crimean War of 1854 and the Russo-Turkish War of 1877? 3.
Show on a map of Europe the countries in the Triple Alliance
and those in the Triple Entente. Why was each alliance
formed?

REFERENCES.--_War Cyclopedia_ (C.P.I.); Harding, _New
Medieval and Modern History_; Hazen, _Europe since