Frederick william "the great elector" of : .became allied with france against habsburg .made brandenburg the most powerful and prosperous state in northern .fought on the side of sweden during the 30 years' .gained a large overseas empire in the new world.

the triple alliance. germany and austria-hungary were already allies by 1879 when, worried about a threat from russia, they formed the dual alliance. italy joined the group in 1882. there was a concern about a possible attack from france and the alliance needed powerful friends to defend it.