Triple Entente
the understanding between England, France and Russia which caused England and France to support Russia when the latter was threatened by Austria and Germany shortly before the outbreak of the World War. The Triple Entente had its origin in a series of treaties and diplomatic understandings rather than in any one document. It evolved from a treaty between France and Russia, signed in 1891, by which each of the two countries promised economic and diplomatic support in case either should be attacked by an enemy. The following year this was strengthened by a military convention, which was still further strengthened into the Dual Alliance in 1894. The first steps toward including Great Britain in the understandings were taken in 1903, when an interchange of official visits was made between France and England, and the century-long mutual prejudices were overcome. In bringing about this better understanding no single individual had more influence than King Edward VII. In 1907 the mutual jeal ousy between England and Russia was also reduced through an understanding which was arrived at between the two governments respecting their separate spheres of interest in Persia and other parts of Asia. This understanding may be said to have concluded the creation of what then became known as the Triple Entente.