What was the main intention of alliances formed among European nations?

Balance of power: The primary intention of alliances formed among European nations was to maintain a balance of power in the region. This meant that no one country would become too powerful and threaten the security of others. Alliances were often formed between countries that had competing interests or territorial claims, in order to prevent any one country from gaining a decisive advantage.

Collective security: Alliances also provided a mechanism for collective security, meaning that if one member state was attacked, the other members would come to its aid. This helped to deter potential aggressors and reduce the risk of war.

Economic cooperation: In some cases, alliances also facilitated economic cooperation between member states, such as the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) which was formed in 1951 between France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Political cooperation: Alliances could also serve as a platform for political cooperation between member states, allowing them to coordinate their foreign and security policies and work together on common challenges.

Overall, the main intention of alliances formed among European nations was to maintain a balance of power, provide for collective security, facilitate economic cooperation, and foster political cooperation.