What were the two major military alliances in Europe in 1914?

• A. Allies and Axis
• B. Central Powers and Allies
• C. Triple Entente and Triple Alliance
• D. Nordic Bloc and Franco-Romanian Pact

Answer: (C)

Two major alliance blocs defined Europe on the eve of World War I: the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance. The Triple Entente united France, Russia, and Great Britain through a series of agreements to counterbalance German and Austro-Hungarian influence. The Triple Alliance brought together Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy in a defense pact to deter their rivals. These two opposing camps meant that a local dispute could quickly draw in multiple powers, turning a regional conflict into a continental war once war broke out in 1914. While the wartime labels Allies and Central Powers are also used, the most precise description of the two sides in 1914 are the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance.