Final answer:
The Triple Entente formed in 1907 was an alliance between France, Great Britain, and Russia to counterbalance the threat of the Triple Alliance. It played a critical role in the lead-up to World War I.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1907, the Triple Entente was formed as an alliance between France, Great Britain, and Russia. Its primary purpose was to counterbalance the threat posed by the Triple Alliance, which originally included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. The Triple Entente and Triple Alliance were key components in the complex web of alliances that preceded World War I. This entangling system of defense alliances, including a series of side treaties to protect smaller countries, set the stage for a continental conflict that would unfold into a total war involving nations across the globe.