ASYMMETRY OF MILITARY-POLITICAL ALLIANCES IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Abstract

The article focuses on the asymmetry of military-political alliances in the second half of the 19th century, in which relations were shaped according to the strategic goals and perspectives of both stronger and weaker states. The second half of the 19th century marked a new stage in the development of military-political alliances, driven by the political and military dynamics of the time. Asymmetric relations in the modern period within alliances were determined by various factors, including political, military, economic, and technological inequality between states and regions. Military-political blocs were characterized by different levels of military potential, political influence, and strategic interests, which often led to tensions and reconfigurations. The imbalance of power inherent in these alliances later played a significant role in the preparation for the First World War, as different countries sought to use their asymmetric relations either to preserve or to disrupt the balance of power in Europe. In the Triple Alliance, Germany was the dominant force and exerted disproportionate influence over Austria-Hungary and Italy. This military-political bloc was not free from internal disagreements, and therefore the unity and overall cohesion of the alliance remained weak. The Franco-Russian alliance, despite economic and military asymmetry, was more balanced than the Triple Alliance. France’s financial and military support for Russia somewhat reduced the asymmetry, but instability in relations between the two countries, as well as Russia’s internal unrest, always posed a potential threat to the alliance’s effectiveness. It has been found that the asymmetric nature of both alliances is evident in view of their potentials. Asymmetric alliances, characterized by unequal mutual obligations, power dynamics, and strategic interests among member states, played a decisive role in shaping the geopolitical landscape on the eve of the First World War.