The Austro-German Treaty of 1879, also known as the Double Alliance - an alliance agreement between Austria-Hungary and Germany ; signed in Vienna on October 7, 1879 .
| Austro-German Treaty | |
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| Signing | |
A prisoner for a period of 5 years, subsequently repeatedly resumed. Article 1 established that if one of the contracting parties is attacked by Russia , then both parties are obliged to come forward to help each other. Article 2 stipulated that in the event of an attack on one of the contracting parties by any other power, the second party undertakes to maintain at least benevolent neutrality. If the attacker receives the support of Russia , then article 1 will enter into force.
The treaty, directed primarily against Russia and France , was one of the agreements that led to the creation of a military bloc led by Germany (the Triple Alliance ) and to the division of European countries into two hostile camps, which subsequently opposed each other in the First World War .
Contract text
Considering that the great German emperor and emperor of Austria should consider it their indisputable monarchal duty to have, under all circumstances, the care of the security of their empires and the tranquility of their peoples; taking into account that both monarchs, as was the case with respect to the preexisting allied connection, will be able, through solid joint actions of both empires, to fulfill this duty more easily and successfully, taking into account, finally, that the sincere connection between Germany and Austria-Hungary cannot threaten anyone, but it can, on the contrary, strengthen the European peace created by the decrees of the Berlin Congress - their Majesties decided to conclude an alliance of peace and mutual protection, at the same time solemnly promising each other that for they never in any direction does not wish to give the aggressive tendencies of their purely defensive agreement.
Article 1. If one of both empires, contrary to the expectation and sincere desire of both high contracting parties, was attacked by Russia, then both high contracting parties must come forward to help each other with the totality of the military forces of their empires and accordingly do not make peace otherwise, as soon as together and by mutual agreement.
Article 2. If one of the high contracting parties was attacked by any other power, the other high contracting party hereby undertakes here not only not to render assistance to the attacker against his high ally, but to observe at least benevolent neutrality in relation to his high contracting accomplice. But if, however, in this case, the attacking power would receive support from Russia, whether in the form of active assistance or through military measures, then the obligation of full military mutual assistance stipulated in Article 1 would come into force immediately and then the war would be waged by the high contracting parties will also be joint until the joint conclusion of peace.
Article 3, The term of this treaty is so far determined to be five years from the date of ratification. One year before the expiration of this period, both high contracting parties will enter into negotiations on whether the circumstances underlying this agreement still exist and will agree on a further period and possible changes to certain details. If during the first month of the last contract year there is no invitation from anyone to open such negotiations, then this contract will be considered renewed for a period of the next three years.
Article 4. This treaty, in accordance with its peaceful direction and in order to eliminate any false interpretation, will be kept secret by both high contracting parties and may be communicated to any third power only with the consent of both parties and by a special agreement between them.
Considering the feelings expressed by the emperor Alexander on a meeting in Alexandrov, the high parties to this treaty hope that for them the military preparations of Russia will not be really threatening, and therefore they now see no reason for any message. But if, contrary to expectations, this hope were erroneous, the high parties to this treaty would consider it a duty of loyalty to inform Emperor Alexander, at least in confidence, that they would be forced to consider any attack on one of them as directed against both of them.
Article 5. This treaty will enter into force upon approval by both higher sovereigns; it must then be ratified within fourteen days.
Andrássy Reis(Klyuchnikov Yu. V., Sabanin A.V. International politics of modern times in treaties, notes and declarations. Part 1. M., 1925. P. 232-233.) [1]
See also
- Bismarck Alliance System