Great Britain had for a long time remained outside the jealousies and
combinations of the continental powers. In fact she had frequently found
herself at odds with France over the rights of the two nations in
Africa, and with Russia over the question of Constantinople and Russian
aggression in Asia. When English statesmen discovered, however, that the
German Empire was constantly enlarging her navy with a view to
challenging English control of the seas, they felt that it would be well
for Great Britain to seek friendships on the Continent. Old quarrels
with France and Russia were forgotten. Friendly relations were
established, and Great Britain, France, and Russia entered into a league
of friendship known as the Triple Entente (1907).

SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDY.--1. Locate the Bosporus,
Alsace-Lorraine, Italia Irredenta, Balkan peninsula, Ægean
Sea. 2. Explain the geographical importance of
Constantinople. How was Russia prevented from taking it in
the Crimean War of 1854 and the Russo-Turkish War of 1877? 3.
Show on a map of Europe the countries in the Triple Alliance
and those in the Triple Entente. Why was each alliance
formed?

REFERENCES.--_War Cyclopedia_ (C.P.I.); Harding, _New
Medieval and Modern History_; Hazen, _Europe since 1815_; and
other European histories. For the treaties forming the two
alliances, see _A League of Nations_, Vol. I, No. 4.