the southern kingdom to join in this
defensive alliance, which from then on was known as the "Triple
Alliance," and which endured until Italy's declaration of war
against Austria in 1915. The chancellor had now succeeded in placing
the keystone in Germany's defensive bulwark. He had to fear no
longer the possibility of a joint attack by Russia and France. For
the powerful triple block of Central Powers would make any joining
of forces by these two countries impossible.

A result of this security was Germany's entrance among the colonial
powers of the world. The objects of this step were twofold: to open
up new fields for the rapidly expanding German trade, and to divert
German emigration in such a way that its steady stream would not
drain the Fatherland of too large a proportion of its surplus
population. From 1884 on Germany used every opportune moment to
acquire colonial possessions. Though for many years none of the
other powers seriously objected, it was quite natural that sooner or
later Germany would find itself in conflict with the other
colonizing powers, especially with the greatest of all--England.

In 1884, Alexander III, who had succeeded his murdered father in
1881 and who was much less pro-German than the latter, showed signs
of succumbing to France's strenuous advances looking toward an
alliance to enable the republic to gratify its desire for revenge.
But Bismarck's diplomatic genius not only prevented this, but even
brought about a secret neutrality treaty between the two empires,
which, however, was entirely separate from the Triple Alliance.

Gradually, thus, the chancellor accomplished all that he had set out
to do after the formation of the German Empire to place his country,
not only among the great powers of the world, but to gain for it
within certain limitations, a leading position. With his internal
policies he was hardly less successful, although he had many hard
battles to fight to gain his end. The year 1888 saw him in the
zenith of his power, and Wilhelmstrasse (where the German Foreign
Office was located) promised fair to take the place that Downing
Street had held. That year, however, brought a change of rulers to
Germany. In March William I died at the age of ninety-one, and was
succeeded by his son Frederick III, the son-in-law of Queen
Victoria of England. This in itself endangered Bismarck's position
and influence. For ever since 1879 Frederick had more or less openly
allied hims