It could be said that the system of blank cheques and alliances that had Europe interlocked and committed to defending each other was the factor that made a local dispute into a World War. The Dreikaiserbund and the Entente Cordiale were early alliances of members of the `two `sides' that would eventually face each other in the War to end all Wars.

There were numerous treaties and alliances that affected and caused the First World War, but those that began to pull together the European Powers in strong aggressive alliances had perhaps the most detrimental effect.

Prior to the Triple Alliance Treaty (1882) there were various treaties against the three members made by Germany as Bismarck led her down a path to potential national-security. Germany's geographical position meant that she undoubtedly needed a strong ally, so she turned to her traditional ally, Austria-Hungary. Shortly after, she turned to Russia...