Final answer:
The French formed an alliance with Russia to create a military front against England as part of the greater network of alliances leading to World War I. The alliance with Russia aimed to contain German expansion and was a strategic move within the European power balance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The French government formed the "nutcracker" alliance with Russia, creating a military front against the English. This was part of a strategy to encircle Germany and prevent it from becoming too powerful, especially after the German unification and the rise of tensions following the Franco-Prussian War.
The alliance between France and Russia aimed to contain possible German aggression and was a countermeasure against the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and originally Italy. Russia had aligned with France based on mutual defensive interests, and after the outbreak of World War I, Great Britain joined the Triple Entente due to its obligations to Belgium, thus completing the primary opposition to the Central Powers.