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Back in 1878 all the major powers had met in Berlin to try and sort out all the differences they had, mainly in the Balkans (map time). Russia, Great Britain, France, Italy, Austria-Hungary and Germany took part along with the Ottoman Empire (really Turkey) and four Balkan States, namely Greece, Serbia, Montenegro and Romania.
The meeting was hosted by Otto von Bismarck, pictured on the right, basically the German leader. As with all these things, the end result, the treaty they all signed, left many countries unhappy. Russia lost some gains it had made in a previous treaty, Austria-Hungary were allowed to occupy Bosnia and Herzegovina while the nations of Serbia, Montenegro and Romania would be recognised.
It is possible that old Otto knew a thing or two because he was quoted as saying “One day the great European War will come out of some damned foolish thing in the Balkans.” If only Archduke Ferdinand had known this.
In 1904 the United Kingdom and France signed a treaty called the Entente Cordiale which was another idea to put a stop to all the little wars and disagreements that had been going on between the two countries for nearly a hundred years. It also defined who ruled what part of other countries that they had conquered. This was decided without asking the other countries.
A little later, in 1907, the United Kingdom signed an agreement with Russia and these 3 countries, Russia, France and Great Britain became part of what was known as the Triple Entente.
Forward to 1906AD
