which country eventually joined the triple alliance with germany and austria-hungary
Triple Alliance (1882) The Triple Alliance was a secret agreement between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. It was formed on 20 May 1882 and renewed periodically until it expired in 1915 during World War I. Germany and Austria-Hungary had been closely allied since 1879. Italy sought support against France shortly after it lost North African ambitions to the French. Each member promised mutual support in the event of an attack by any other great power. The treaty provided that Germany and Austria-Hungary were to assist Italy if it was attacked by France without provocation. In turn, Italy would assist Germany if attacked by France. In the event of a war between Austria-Hungary and Russia, Italy promised to remain neutral.
World War I The conflict initially involved two opposing coalitions: France, Russia and Britain, in the Triple Entente, against the Dual Alliance of Germany and Austria-Hungary. These two had combined with Italy in the 1882 Triple Alliance but as it was primarily defensive in nature, Italy was able to remain neutral in 1914. In reality, many of the terms were informal or secret and sometimes contradicted by other agreements; shortly after renewing the Triple Alliance in 1902, Italy secretly agreed with France to remain neutral if it was attacked by Germany.[11] The coalitions expanded as the war widened: the Entente added Italy, Japan and the United States to form the Allied Powers, while the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria joined Germany and Austria as the Central Powers.