In the 19th century, two opposing alliances were formed on the European arena - the Russian-French and the Triple. This suggests that a new stage has begun in international relations, characterized by a fierce struggle between several powers for the division of influence in various spheres.
Economy in relations between France and Russia
French capital began to actively penetrate into Russia in the third third of the 19th century. In 1875, a large mining company was created by the French in the southern part of Russia. Their capital was based on 20 million francs. In 1876, the French are engaged in gas lighting in St. Petersburg. A year later, they open steel and iron-making concerns in Poland, which then belonged to the Russian Empire. Also, every year in Russia, various joint-stock companies and factories were opened, which had a capital of 10 million francs or more. They mined s alt, ore and other minerals for export.
At the end of the 19th century, the Russian governmentexperienced some financial difficulties. Then it was decided to start negotiations in 1886 with the French bankers. Two years later, dialogues with banks begin. They develop successfully and easily. The first loan amount was small - only 500 million francs. But this loan was a great start in that relationship.
Thus, we will consider the lively economic relations between Russia and France in the eighties of the 19th century, initiated by France.
Reasons for the development of economic relations
There are three good reasons. Firstly, the Russian market impressed the French very much. Secondly, the richest deposits of raw materials in the Russian Empire actively attracted foreign investment. Third, the economy is the political bridge that France intended to build. Next, we will talk about the formation of the Russian-French alliance and the consequences.
Cultural relations of the Allied countries
This state, which we are considering, has been connected by cultural traditions for many centuries. French culture significantly influenced Russian culture, and the entire domestic intelligentsia was brought up on the latest ideas of the French Enlightenment. The names of philosophers and writers such as Voltaire, Diderot, Corneille were known to every educated Russian. And in the eighties of the 19th century, a radical overturn of these national cultures took place. In a short period of time, publishing houses specializing in the printing of Russian literary works appeared in Paris. The novels of Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, andalso the work of Turgenev, Ostrovsky, Korolenko, Goncharov, Nekrasov and other pillars of Russian literature. Similar processes are observed in the most diverse manifestations of art. For example, Russian composers have received wide recognition in French music circles.
Electric lanterns are lit on the streets of the French capital. The townspeople called them "apple". They received such a name by the name of the inventor, who was a well-known domestic electrical engineer and professor Yablochkov. The French humanities are actively interested in history, literature, and the Russian language. And philosophy in general. The works of Professors Curire and Louis Leger become fundamental.
Thus, Russian-French relations in the field of culture have become multilateral and broad. If earlier France was a "donor" of Russia in the field of culture, then in the nineteenth century their relations become mutual, that is, bilateral. It is noteworthy that the inhabitants of France get acquainted with the cultural works of Russia, and also begin to develop various topics at the scientific level. And we are now moving on to studying the causes of the Russian-French alliance.
Political relations and prerequisites for the emergence of an alliance from France
France during this period waged small colonial wars. Therefore, in the eighties, her relations with Italy and England escalated. Then a highly complex relationship with Germany isolated France in Europe. Thus, she found herself surrounded by enemies. Danger for this stateincreased day by day, so French politicians and diplomats sought to improve relations with Russia, as well as to get closer to her in various areas. This is one of the explanations for the conclusion of the Russian-French alliance.
Political relations and prerequisites for the emergence of an alliance from the Russian Empire
Now consider the position of Russia in the international arena of relations. At the end of the 19th century, a whole system of unions developed in Europe. The first one is the Austro-German. The second is Austro-German-Italian, or in another way Triple. The third is the Union of the Three Emperors (Russia, Austria-Hungary and Germany). It was in it that Germany occupied a dominant position. The first two unions purely theoretically threatened Russia, and the existence of the Union of the Three Emperors gave rise to doubts after the crisis in Bulgaria. The political advantage of Russia and France was not yet relevant. In addition, the two states had a common enemy in the East - Great Britain, which was a rival for France in the Egyptian state and the Mediterranean, and for Russia in the Asian lands. It is noteworthy that the strengthening of the Russian-French alliance became apparent when the Anglo-Russian interests in Central Asia became aggravated, when England tried to draw Austria and Prussia into enmity with Russia.
Outcome of confrontations
Such a situation in the political arena led to the fact that it was much easier to sign an agreement with the French state than with Prussia. This was also evidenced by the agreement on concessions,the optimal volume of trade, as well as the absence of conflicts in this area. In addition, Paris viewed this idea as a means of putting pressure on the Germans. After all, Berlin was extremely afraid of the formalization of the Russian-French alliance. It is known that the penetration of two cultures strengthened the political ideas of the powers.
Conclusion of the Russian-French alliance
This union was very difficult and slow. This was preceded by various steps. But the main one was the rapprochement of the two countries. They were mutual. However, there was a little more action from France. In the spring of 1890, Germany refused to renew the reinsurance agreement with Russia. Then the French authorities turned the situation in their favor. A year later, in July, a French military squadron visits Kronstadt. This visit is nothing but a demonstration of Russian-French friendship. The guests were met by Emperor Alexander III himself. After that, another round of negotiations between diplomats took place. The result of this meeting was a pact between Russia and France, which was sealed by the signatures of the foreign ministers. According to this document, the states were obliged, in the event of a threat of attack, to agree on joint measures that could be taken simultaneously and immediately. This is how the Russian-French alliance was formed (1891).
Next steps and actions
It is noteworthy that the reception of the emperor, rendered to the French sailors in Kronstadt, was an event with far-reaching consequences. Petersburg newspaper rejoiced! With such formidable power, the Triple Alliance will be forced to stop and fall intomeditation. At that time, Bülow, attorney in Germany, wrote to the Reich Chancellor that the Kronstadt meeting was a difficult factor that powerfully hit the renewed Tripartite Association. Then, in 1892, a new positive turn took place in relation to the Russian-French alliance. The head of the French General Staff is invited by the Russian side to military maneuvers. In August of this year, he, together with General Obruchev, signed a military convention consisting of three provisions. It was supposed to be prepared by the Minister of Foreign Affairs - Girs, who dragged out the performance. However, the emperor did not rush him. Germany took advantage of the situation and started a new customs war with Russia. In addition, the German army grew to 4 million fighters. Upon learning of this, Alexander III was seriously angry and defiantly took another step towards rapprochement with his ally, sending our military squadron to Toulon. The formation of the Russian-French alliance unnerved Germany.
Design convention
The French state gave its sailors an enthusiastic welcome. Then Alexander III cast aside all doubts. He ordered Minister Gears to expedite the writing of the presentation of the convention, and he soon approved it on 14 December. Then an exchange of letters took place, which was provided for by the protocol of diplomats between the capitals of the two powers.
Thus, in December 1893, the convention came into force. The French alliance was concluded.
Consequences of the political game between Russia and France
Similar to the Triple Alliance, an agreement betweenRussia and France was created in terms of defense. In fact, that the first, that the second alliance was fraught with a military aggressive beginning in the capture and division of spheres of influence of sales markets, as well as sources of raw materials. The formation of the Russo-French alliance completed the regrouping of forces that had been seething in Europe after the Congress in Berlin in 1878. As it turned out, the ratio of military and political forces depended on whose interest England, which at that time was the most economically developed state, would support. However, Foggy Albion preferred to be neutral, continuing the position called "brilliant isolation." However, the growing colonial claims of Germany forced Foggy Albion to begin to lean towards the Russian-French alliance.
Conclusion
The Russian-French bloc was formed in 1891 and lasted until 1917. This led to significant changes and the balance of power in Europe. The conclusion of the alliance is considered a turning point in the development of the French state in the era of world war. This unification of forces led to the fact that France overcame political isolation. Russia provided for the ally and Europe not only stability, but also strength in the status of a Great Power.
