League of the Three Emperors

Chancellor Otto von Bismarck took full charge of German foreign policy from 1870 to his dismissal in 1890.

Bismarck often led the League as it assessed challenges, centred on maintaining the balance of power among the states involved and Europe at large.

Despite German victory in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871, violence remained fresh in the new state's memory and made Germany reluctant to antagonize France but keen as ever to limit its power.

According to the coalition, radical socialist bodies like the First International represented one of the other key threats to regional stability and dominance.

The account of the insurrection from an Englishman, Sir Edwin Pears,[5] describes the gruesome atrocities and reveals British surprise at their extent.

The collective initially disbanded in 1878 over territorial disputes in the Balkans as Austria-Hungary feared that Russian support for Serbia might ultimately ignite irredentist passions in the Slav populations.

[6] The body's first conclusion in 1879 gave way to the defensive Dual Alliance between Austria-Hungary and Germany to counter potential Russian aggression.