Question

why do nations form alliances? give examples of different alliances explain thier purposes.

Answer 1

Often to protect each other against more powerful enemies which can sometimes guarantee a certain level of peace and cooperation among each member. NATO is one kind of alliance between the United States and a number of Western European nations in order to create a defensive sphere of influence against the Soviets. The Soviets, in turn, had something called the Warsaw Pact which did the same thing among communist nations.

There are also times when alliances can be dangerous tinderboxes waiting to be lit. WW1 was largely a result of all sorts of alliances getting triggered between European nations after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and Austria-Hungary's threats against Serbia which led to its invasion. Serbia, however, was buddies with Russia who mobilized to protect their interests...which then triggered Germany to rev up its armies to fight Russia. France eventually jumped in, and soon everyone was fighting each other.