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... Russia. This secret alliance, though from which Germany had little to gain, bore much significance to Austria-in the way that it re-lifted the apparently collapsing Habsburg Monarchy to a world power status again. The alliance secured her of German friendship, emboldened her to take an active part in European affairs and to stand against Russians in the Near Eastern rivalry. In 1882, Italy joined the Dual alliance and thus converting it into the Triple alliance, which was removed in February, 1887. By this, Austria and Germany hoped to prevent Italy from attacking the Dual Monarchy in the rear during a war with Russia and also to bind Italy to their side, deprived France of another possible ally. Whether this plan worked or not still remained to be seen. But meanwhile, the alliance seemed to end Austro-Italian hostility and differences and strengthen the Habsburgs much more than before. Apart from these two ...