Mashevskyy O. Mashevsky. The Black Sea Straits in the policy of international alliances (70-ies of XIX century - 1918)

On the basis of British, German, Russian, French and Ottoman documentary sources the thesis pursuing holistic approaches to the subject thoroughly explores an impact of struggle of the Great Powers for control over the Black Sea Straits on formation and policy of the international alliances in 1870s - 1918. The author proves that in the 70's - 80's of XIX century Chancellor Bismarck seized opportunity of the Great Powers' interest in support of Germany in the matter of the Straits in order to involve them in the system of international alliances, including the League of Three Emperors of 1873-1887, the German-Austrian-Hungarian Union of 1879, the Triple Alliance of 1882 and the Mediterranean Entente of 1887 which were under control of Berlin.