Questions: List the major powers involved in the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente.

The Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente were two major alliances formed in the years leading up to World War I, involving several of the world's great powers at the time.

The Triple Alliance was a military agreement between three major powers:

1. Germany: Under the leadership of Kaiser Wilhelm II, Germany sought to strengthen its position in Europe and counterbalance the influence of other powers.
2. Austria-Hungary: This dual monarchy was a significant player in Central Europe, and its alliance with Germany was crucial for its strategic interests, especially in the Balkans.
3. Italy: Initially part of the Triple Alliance, Italy was motivated by territorial ambitions and the desire to assert itself as a great power. However, Italy's commitment to the alliance was not strong, and it eventually switched sides to join the Triple Entente in 1915.

The Triple Entente was a counter-alliance to the Triple Alliance, consisting of:

1. France: Seeking to counter German power and recover territories lost in the Franco-Prussian War, France was a key member of the Entente.
2. Russia: With interests in the Balkans and a desire to support Slavic nations, Russia aligned with France and later the United Kingdom to form a powerful bloc.
3. United Kingdom: Concerned about the growing naval and military power of Germany, the UK joined the Entente to maintain the balance of power in Europe.

These alliances were part of the complex web of treaties and agreements that contributed to the outbreak of World War I, as they created a situation where a conflict involving one member could quickly escalate to involve all the major powers.