page_title: History of German foreign policy
section_title: Dual Alliance (1879) with Austria-Hungary
hierarchical_section_title: History of German foreign policy / 1871–1919 / Dual Alliance (1879) with Austria-Hungary
caption_attribution_description: Čeština&#x3a;&#32; Německé kolonie &#160;&#160; Německá říše &#160;&#160; Německé kolonie &#160;&#160; Jiaozhou (Koncese na území v Číně) &#160;&#160; Braniborsko-Pruské kolonie (mezi roky 1680-1720) &#160;&#160; "Malé Benátky" (území zakoupené od Karla V. Španělského, 1529-1556)Deutsch&#x3a;&#32; Deutsche Kolonien &#160;&#160; Deutsches Reich &#160;&#160; Kolonien des deutschen Reiches &#160;&#160; Kiautschou (Pachtland in China) &#160;&#160; Brandenburgisch-Preußische Kolonien (ca. 1680-1720) &#160;&#160; „Klein-Venedig“ (1529-1556)English&#x3a;&#32; German colonies &#160;&#160; German Empire &#160;&#160; Colonies of the German Empire &#160;&#160; Jiaozhou (Concession in China) &#160;&#160; Brandenburgian-Prussian Colonies (ca. 1680-1720) &#160;&#160; "Little Venice" (1529-1556)Italiano&#x202f;&#x3a;&#32; Colonie tedesche &#160;&#160; Impero tedesco &#160;&#160; colonie dell'impero tedesco &#160;&#160; Jiaozhou (Concessione in Cina) &#160;&#160; Colonie Prussiane (intorno al 1680-1720) &#160;&#160; "Piccola Venezia" (tentativo tedesco di conquista del Venezuela, 1529-1556)Polski&#x3a;&#32; Kolonie niemiecckie &#160;&#160; II Rzesza &#160;&#160; Kolonie II Rzeszy &#160;&#160; Jiaozhou (koncesja w Chinach) &#160;&#160; Kolonie pruskie(1680-1720) &#160;&#160; "Mała Wenecja" (1529-1556)
context_page_description: The History of German foreign policy covers diplomatic developments and international history since 1871.
  Before 1871, Prussia was the dominant factor in German affairs, but there were numerous smaller states. The question of excluding or including Austria's influence was settled by the Prussian victory in the Austro-Prussian War in 1866. The unification of Germany was made possible by the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71, in which the smaller states joined behind Prussia in a smashing victory over France. The German Empire was put together in 1871 by Otto von Bismarck, who dominated German and indeed all of European diplomatic history until he was forced to resign in 1890.
  The new German Empire immediately became the dominant diplomatic, political, military and economic force in Europe, although it never had as large a population as Russia. Great Britain continued to dominate the world in naval affairs, international trade, and finance. The Germans tried to catch up in empire building but felt an inferiority complex.
  Bismarck felt a strong need to keep France isolated, lest its desire for revenge frustrate his goals, which after 1871 were European peace and stability.
context_section_description: In 1879, Bismarck formed a Dual Alliance of Germany and Austria-Hungary, with the aim of mutual military assistance in the case of an attack from Russia, which was not satisfied with the agreement reached at the Congress of Berlin.  The establishment of the Dual Alliance led Russia to take a more conciliatory stance, and in 1887, the so-called Reinsurance Treaty was signed between Germany and Russia: in it, the two powers agreed on mutual military support in the case that France attacked Germany, or in case of an Austrian attack on Russia.  Russia turned its attention eastward to Asia and remained largely inactive in European politics for the next 25 years. In 1882, Italy joined the Dual Alliance to form a Triple Alliance. Italy wanted to defend its interests in North Africa against France's colonial policy. In return for German and Austrian support, Italy committed itself to assisting Germany in the case of a French military attack.
caption: German colonies and protectorates in 1914
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