<P> The Three Caesars' Alliance or League of the Three Emperors (German: Dreikaiserabkommen, Russian: Союз трёх императоров) was an alliance between the German Empire, the Russian Empire and Austria - Hungary, from 1873 to 1887 . Chancellor Otto von Bismarck took full charge of German foreign policy from 1870 to his dismissal in 1890 . His goal was a peaceful Europe, based on the balance of power . Bismarck feared that a hostile combination of Austria, France and Russia would crush Germany . If two of them were allied, then the third would ally with Germany only if Germany conceded excessive demands . The solution was to ally with two of the three . In 1873 he formed the League of the Three Emperors, an alliance of the Kaiser of Germany, the Tsar of Russia, and the Kaiser of Austria - Hungary . Together they would control Eastern Europe, making sure that restive ethnic groups such as the Poles were kept in control . It aimed at neutralizing the rivalry between Germany's two neighbors by an agreement over their respective spheres of influence in the Balkans and at isolating Germany's enemy, France . The Balkans posed a more serious issue, and Bismarck's solution was to give Austria predominance in the western areas, and Russia in the eastern areas . </P> <P> The first League of the Three Emperors was in effect from 1873 to 1875 . A second one, formal and secret, was established June 18, 1881, and lasted for three years . It was renewed in 1884 but lapsed in 1887 . Both alliances ended because of continued strong conflicts of interest between Austria - Hungary and Russia in the Balkans . The second treaty provided that no territorial changes should take place in the Balkans without prior agreement and that Austria could annex Bosnia and Herzegovina when it wished; in the event of war between one party and a great power not party to the treaty, the other two parties were to maintain friendly neutrality . </P>

Who created the three emperors' league in 1872