How did the alliances between countries come to place in WWI (Germany + Austria-Hungary etc.). For example, England and France were allies but were archenemies their entire history.

by moos-dominus-est
IAmAHat_AMAA

Not trying to discourage further discussion, but check out this answer by /u/_elos on "Why was WWI considered 'inevitable'?". He goes in-depth on the political developments during the events leading up to WWI.

http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2cpyy7/why_was_wwi_considered_inevitable/cjiazrp?context=3