Final answer:
The risk of French aggression relates to the tensions before and after Germany's unification. The Franco-Prussian War and subsequent diplomatic efforts by both France and Germany escalated tensions, leading to an arms race and the eventual onset of World War I.
Step-by-step explanation:
The risk of French aggression in the context of European history primarily pertained to the period before and after the unification of Germany in the late 19th century. The mid-19th-century unification of Italy and Germany significantly altered the balance of power in Europe. Germany's unification, in particular, posed a direct threat to France, especially following the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), which ended with the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine by Germany.
Otto von Bismarck, the German chancellor at the time, implemented a diplomatic strategy focused on isolating France diplomatically and creating alliances with other European powers to protect Germany and stem the tide of war in Europe. France, on the other hand, worked to form its own alliances and struggled with the growing military might and industrial strength of Germany. This era witnessed an intensive arms race, colonial expansion, and burgeoning nationalism that ultimately culminated in World War I.
By 1914, France had become the largest democratic country in Europe with a prosperous economy and the second largest colonial empire behind Britain. Nonetheless, France was still politically unstable and felt intimidated by Germany's industrial prowess. This insecurity stemmed from the desire to avenge the defeat suffered during the Franco-Prussian War and contributed to the escalating international tensions that would lead to warfare.
Events such as the Agadir Crisis in 1911 exemplified the diplomatic and military confrontations between Germany and France over colonial interests, further destabilizing the peace in Europe. While the immediate conflict was resolved through negotiations, it reinforced the perception among the European powers, particularly Britain, that Germany represented a colonial and military threat, thus setting the groundwork for the alliances and conflicts that would precipitate World War I.
The legacy of these conflicts, however, has shown a potential for reconciliation, as seen in the post-war European integration where former rivals France and Germany have since become close allies, integral to the current European Union's economic and political stability.