Military alliance facts for kids
A military alliance is a special agreement between two or more countries. These countries promise to help each other, especially if one of them is attacked. It's like a team where everyone agrees to protect their teammates. This can mean defending each other, sharing military support, or working together on defense plans.
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Famous Military Alliances in History
Throughout history, countries have often formed alliances to protect themselves or achieve common goals. Here are some important ones:
Ancient Alliances
Hellenic League: Fighting the Persians
During the Medic Wars, ancient Greek city-states like Athens, Lacedemonia, and Macedon formed the Hellenic League. They teamed up to defend Greece against the powerful Persian Empire.
Leagues of the Peloponnesian War
The Peloponnesian War was a big conflict between Greek city-states.
- The League of Delos was led by Athens. It included places like Chios, Samos, and Lesbos.
- The Peloponnesian League was led by Lacedemonia. Its members included Corinth and Elis. These two leagues fought against each other for control of Greece.
Medieval and Early Modern Alliances
Auld Alliance: Scotland and France
The Auld Alliance was a long-lasting agreement between Scotland and France. It started in 1373 and was mainly against England. Norway also joined later.
Alliances in the Italian Wars
The Italian Wars saw many alliances form and break apart.
- The League of Cambrai included the Papal States, France, Aragon, and the Holy Roman Empire. They teamed up against Venice.
- The Catholic League (Italian) later brought together the Papal States, Venice, England, Aragon, and the Holy Roman Empire.
Schmalkaldic League: German Protestants
The Schmalkaldic League was an alliance of Protestant states in Germany. They formed it to protect their religious freedom against the Catholic Holy Roman Emperor during the Schmalkaldic War.
Anglo-Portuguese Alliance: A Long Friendship
The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance is one of the oldest alliances still recognized today. It began in 1373 between England (later the United Kingdom) and Portugal. They have supported each other for centuries.
Alliances in the Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was a major European conflict.
- The Catholic League (German) was an alliance of Catholic German states, including Bavaria.
- The Protestant Union was an alliance of Protestant German states. These two groups fought over religion and power.
League of Augsburg: Against France
During the War of the Grand Alliance, many European powers formed the League of Augsburg. This included The Netherlands, the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, and Austria. They united to stop France from becoming too powerful.
Quadruple Alliance of 1718
The Quadruple Alliance of 1718 was formed to maintain peace in Europe after some wars.
Alliances in Modern Times
Napoleonic Wars: Coalitions Against Napoleon
During the Napoleonic Wars, many European countries formed several "Coalitions" to fight against Napoleon and France. The Quadruple Alliance of 1814/15 was a key agreement after Napoleon's defeat.
Anglo-Japanese Alliance
The Anglo-Japanese Alliance was an agreement between the United Kingdom and Japan from 1902 to 1923. It helped Japan become a major power and protected British interests in Asia.
World War I Alliances
World War I involved two main alliances:
- The Entente and the Allies included the United Kingdom, France, Serbia, Russia (until 1917), and later the United States (from 1917).
- The Central Powers were Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.
World War II Alliances
World War II also had two major sides:
- The Axis included Germany, Japan, and Italy.
- The Allies included the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, France, the United States, and the Soviet Union.
Cold War Alliances
The Cold War (roughly 1947-1991) was a period of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. Both sides formed large military alliances:
- North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) was formed by the United States, Canada, and many Western European countries. It was created to protect against the Soviet Union. NATO is still an active alliance today.
- The Warsaw Pact was the Soviet Union's answer to NATO. It included the Soviet Union, East Germany, Poland, and other Eastern European countries. This alliance ended when the Cold War did.
- SEATO was an alliance in Southeast Asia, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.
- CENTO was an alliance in the Middle East, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Turkey.
- ANZUS is an alliance between the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. It is still an active alliance.
- Five Powers Pact is an alliance between Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. It is still an active alliance.
Current Military Alliances
Many military alliances are still active today, working to keep peace and security around the world.
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is one of the most important military alliances. It includes the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, most of Western Europe and Central Europe, parts of Eastern Europe, and Turkey. Members agree that an attack on one is an attack on all.
Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)
The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is an alliance of several countries from Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Its members include Russia, Belarus, Armenia, and Kazakhstan.
European Union's Defense Policies
The European Union has its own defense efforts through the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). These policies help EU countries work together on security and defense matters.
Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA)
The Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) is an alliance involving the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore. They work together on defense in Southeast Asia.
ANZUS Treaty
The ANZUS Treaty is a security agreement between the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. They promise to consult and act together in case of an attack in the Pacific area.
Regional Alliances in the Americas and Africa
- ECOMOG is the military arm of the Economic Community of West African States. It helps keep peace in West Africa.
- The Council for Peace and Security in Central Africa (COPAX) does similar work in Central Africa.
- The Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (Rio Pact) is a defense agreement among many countries in the Americas.
- North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is a joint defense organization of the United States and Canada. They watch the skies for threats.
- The Regional Security System (RSS) helps several Eastern Caribbean countries with defense and security.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a political, economic, and military group. Its members include China, Russia, Kazakhstan, and other Central Asian countries.
In Spanish: Alianza militar para niños
