Question

What's the difference between the Triple alliance/Triple Entente and the Central Powers/Allied powers?

Answer 1

The Triple Entente was the alliance linking Russia, France, and Britain after the signing of the Anglo-Russian Entente on August 31, 1907.
It was used to counterweight the powerful Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. Ultimately, these alliances would lead Europe into WW1.

The Allied Powers on the other hand where the USA, Britain, and Russia (also referred to as the "Big 3"). They were the countries that opposed the Central (or Axis-Powers) in WW2.
The Central Powers were Germany, Italy, and Japan.
Ps: The Allied Powers had more than just the 3 countries I mentioned; it was actually way more; Those 3 were just the ones controlling all the policies and in charge. For example, the US General at the time, "Dwight D. Eisenhower", was a five-star general in the United States Army during World War II and served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe.

Answer 2

What about in WW1? Why did the Triple alliance and the Triple entente just switch over to the central powers and the allied powers.

Answer 3

We have the two different distinctions of names to describe the different pacts that occurred in WW1 and in WW2.
After WW1, all the alliances and secret pacts fell apart. The Germans were forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles, which many scholars and people believe is what ignited WW2 since it basically dissolved the Germany economy and left it in shambles.

Answer 4

But after the TA and the TE implemented the schlieffen plan, the countries turned into the allied and central powers in WW1 because Italy changed sides, right?

Answer 5

The pacts were made way before the Shlieffen plan.
In fact, these pacts were made in the very late 19th century to early 20th century,
even before the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.