The Iron Pact

The Iron Pact, also known as the Guardsmen of Europe, the Allies and previously known as the Big Four, was an alliance formed in 1840 after the British-Ottoman War. The alliance was made up of four main countries- the United Kingdom, the Republic of France, the German Confederation and the Republic of Italy. The four countries of Western Europe came together after realising they had common enemies in Brazil, Russia and the Ottoman Empire.

Originally, the alliance was a loose web of mutual friendships before the Ottoman Empire decided to invade British Egypt, after a misunderstanding about who owned the ex-Ottoman province.

## History

### British-Ottoman War

Before the Pact was formed, France, Britain and Germany were loosely allied due to reconciliations from the French Wars. Thus, when the Ottoman Empire marched into British Egypt with 58,000 troops to take it back from the British Empire, France and Germany soon came to aid the British by declaring war on the Ottoman Empire. Originally, the alliance was temporarily formed for better cooperation during the British-Ottoman War, however they decided sticking together was a better option. After the war, when the allies took their respective territories, they decided to invite Italy to the Iron Pact since they played a vital role in the war in the Mediterranean.

### Austro-Serbian War

During the Austrian invasion of Serbia, the Iron Pact played a vital role. Specifically, Germany, France and Italy did. While the French sent aid to Serbia and participated in the final treaty, Germany and Italy became directly involved, invading Austria on June 13 after Arch-Duke Albrecht's refusing to respect the previous treaty that limited Balkan expansion. The Iron Pact was forced to divide the Austrian Empire's borders and restore French War republics in the area, including the Republic of Slovakia, the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Moravia. Herzegovina and Serbia were also given their territories which Austria occupied at the end of the British-Ottoman War. To prevent further Austrian attempts at rising again, the German Confederation annexed the state of Austria.

### Brazilian Blockade

In an attempt to hinder the Brazilian Federation, Germany, Italy and Britain went to war with Brazil. Germany sent a navy of 6300 ships to blockade the South Eastern coast of Brazil, and engaged in a battle with the Brazilian navy. After the battle came to a German victory, Germany instead decided to invade the Brazilian protectorate in Gabão. The Brazilian Federation responded by sending a navy to prevent the invasion, however Italian and British fleets came to assist the German invasion of the free country. In a last ditch attempt to stop the war, the Brazilian navy forced its way past the Allied fleets, and headed for the German invasion fleet. Unfortunately, they were caught up to by the Allied fleet and the navy was sunk. The German invasion was successful and the colony was handed over to Italy, while the islands of Bioko and São Tomé were given to the United Kingdom. Germany paid reparations of 100,000 German marks to Brazil due to the sinking of the Brazilian navy.

## Membership

Member states
(1840-18--)
(1840-18--)
(1840-18--)