What is the purpose of alliances in the context of World War I?

• A. To promote free trade
• B. To assist and protect nations
• C. To foster isolationism
• D. To develop mutual economic goals

Answer: (B)

The primary purpose of alliances in the context of World War I was to assist and protect nations. During this period, countries formed intricate alliances to ensure mutual defense and support in the event of conflict. These alliances were often designed to deter aggression from rival powers, whereby nations committed to coming to each other’s aid could bolster their military strength and enhance security.

For example, the major alliances of World War I included the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Russia, Great Britain). When one nation was attacked, its allies were bound by agreement to respond, which contributed to the rapid escalation of the war following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. The interconnectedness of these alliances meant that a regional conflict could quickly spiral into a global war, as nations fulfilled their obligations to support one another.

The other choices, while relevant to broader historical contexts, do not align with the specific goal of alliances during World War I. Promoting free trade and developing mutual economic goals were not the primary focus of the military alliances formed during this period, which were primarily concerned with collective security rather than economic cooperation. Similarly, fostering isolationism contradicts the very purpose of alliances, as isolation