Franco-Russian Alliance
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The Franco-Russian Alliance, originally a secret agreement, was signed August 17th 1894 between France and Russia. It resulted from discussions that had first began in 1891, after Germany decided in 1890 not to renew the 1887 Reinsurance Treaty with Russia, despite Russian requests to renew it.
Russia was feeling vulnerable due to the signing of the "Triple Alliance" of Imperial Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy, while France had been diplomatically isolated as a result of the policies of Otto von Bismarck. The Franco-Russian Alliance promised mutual military assistance if either country was attacked. In the case of an attack by Germany or another member of the Triple Alliance assisted by Germany, Russia and France were to attack Germany at the same time, so it would have to fight in the West and the East.
The Russian emperors visited Paris on three occasions, each time being celebrated with great festivities. The ratification of the alliance was commemorated by Pont Alexandre III (1896-1900), the most elegant bridge in Paris and the jewel of 19th-century engineering. The foundation stone was laid by Nicholas II of Russia and Félix Faure on Oct 7th, 1896. The bridge is decorated with the allegories representing the Seine and the Neva.
The Franco-Russian Alliance, along with the Anglo-Russian Entente and the Entente Cordiale formed the Triple Entente between the UK, France and Russia.
