1 / 27

Bismarck’s Alliance System

Bismarck’s Alliance System. What Bismarck has joined, let no country put asunder (with apologies to marriage vows). Treaty of Frankfurt 1871. France had to pay 5 billion francs in 5 years Germany took Alsace & half of Lorraine

bryony
Download Presentation

Bismarck’s Alliance System

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Bismarck’s Alliance System What Bismarck has joined, let no country put asunder (with apologies to marriage vows)

  2. Treaty of Frankfurt 1871 • France had to pay 5 billion francs in 5 years • Germany took Alsace & half of Lorraine • Residents had until Oct. 1872 to decide whether to move to stay in France or become German citizens • German troops occupied northern France until the indemnity was paid; France had to pay the costs of the occupation • Est. Third Republic in France

  3. Britain • Suspicious of any country that could threaten lines of communication in their empire • Saw Russia as a threat • Splendid isolation—concentrating on domestic issues, empire, Ireland • Conflict with France in Africa & Asia • Won’t sign treaties to commit to future action

  4. Russia • Alexander II tsar until 1881, then Alexander III until 1894 • Instituting reforms; industrialization • Pan-slavism—expansion into Balkans • Wanted a useful warm water port, such as Port Arthur or port in Persia or from the Black Sea through the Bosporus into the Mediterranean

  5. Austria-Hungary • Opposed Russian expansion into the Balkans • Multi-ethnic; opposed nationalistic movements within Austria and in the Balkans • Later Germany became dependant on Austrian friendship

  6. Germany • Wanted to avoid an anti-German coalition • Wanted security from potential foreign threat • Avoid a two-front war • William I’s son married Queen Victoria’s oldest daughter • Bismarck wanted very little British influence in German government; disliked Britain’s more democratic two party system • Encouraged French colonial expansion as a way to distract France from European conditions

  7. France • Concentrated on “revanche”—revenge • Goal to get Alsace-Lorraine back • Paid off indemnity sooner than Germany thought could occur • Paid off in 1873; German soldiers left France • Showed strength of French economy • Germany believed France’s strong economy would allow France to reorganize & rebuild its army

  8. League of the Three Emperors 1873 • Austria, Russia, Germany • Mutual consultation and support in matters of international importance • Maintain existing territorial arrangements in Europe • Resist spread of revolutionary movements • Goal to isolate France diplomatically

  9. Is War in Sight?Article in Berliner Post 1875 • Bismarck worried about France’s ability to rearm • Export of horses to France forbidden… usually a sign of preparation for war • Article then appeared in the Berliner Post • Germany viewed as aggressor against France • Russia backed British protest to Germany • Incident showed that France was not totally isolated

  10. Secret Austro-German Alliance or Dual Alliance 1879 • Because of results of the Congress of Berlin 1878, Russia refused to renew Three Emperor’s League • Bismarck wanted a general treaty of mutual assistance if attacked by a third power • Austria was getting along with France so wanted to mention Russia in the treaty • Terms—would support the other if attacked by Russia or Russia & a third power • Would be neutral if attacked by any other power • Renewed every five years until 1918

  11. Alliance of the Three Emperors or 2nd League of the Three Emperors • Negotiated 1881; Alexander II had died & Alexander III was in favor of an alliance to help suppress revolutionary movements • Pledged the three members to neutrality if one was attacked by a 4th country • Divided the Balkans into spheres of influence… Austria in the west, Russia in the east • Agreed to consult one another if there were another Balkan crisis • For three years; renewed once in 1884

  12. Triple Alliance1882 • Italy, Germany, Austria • Italy was mad at France when France annexed Tunis; Italy wanted to build its own empire in Africa • If Italy or Germany were attacked by France, the other would come to their aid • If Austria were attacked by Russia, Italy would be neutral; but Austria would aid Italy if Italy attacked by France • If any country attacked by two or more countries, the others would come to its aid

  13. Problems of Italian alliance • Italy wanted land Austria controlled… Italian Irredenta • Italy eventually got over their anger at France taking Tunis • Establishment of a republican government in France that would not help the Pope retake Rome & Papal states from Italy by 1900 • Italy established several secret treaties with France in 1900 & 1902… each promised neutrality if provoked into war with a third party

  14. Mediterranean Agreement 1887 • Italy, Austria, Great Britain • All agree to maintain the status quo in the Mediterranean • All agree to prevent foreign domination of the Ottoman Empire • Designed to be a barrier to French & Russian expansion

  15. Reinsurance Treaty1887 • The Alliance of the Three Emperors fell apart due to problems in the Balkans • Russia did not renew the Alliance in 1890 • Secret treaty; Austria not told • Germany & Russia agreed to be neutral if the other became involved in a war • Exception… if Germany attacked France or Russia attacked Austria

  16. Willhelm II of Germany1859-1941 • Willhelm I’s grandson & Queen Victoria’s grandson • Kaiser of Germany 1888-1918; controlled supreme military & executive power • Believed that Germany needed its “place in the sun” • He loved the military and was restless; tried to upstage the British • Wanted a navy as large as his grandmother’s navy • Believed in “Weltpolitik”—world politics—no real goals other than “glory”

  17. Quotes… • Willhelm II… “As for having to sink my ideas and feelings at the bidding of the people that is a thing unheard of in Prussian history or the traditions of my House. What the German Emperor, King of Prussia thinks right and best for his people he does.” • British politician Earl Grey… “The German Emperor is like a battleship with steam up and screws going, but with no rudder, and he will run into something someday and cause a catastrophe.”

  18. End of Reinsurance Treaty1890 • William II became Kaiser in 1888; believed Germany’s alliance with Austria was more important than its alliance with Russia • While Bismarck had not pursued colonial expansion, William II wanted colonies and navy • Bismarck had promoted peaceful relations with Britain, but William II antagonized Britain • William II fired Bismarck in 1890 and the alliance system unraveled

  19. Russo-French Rapprochement1894 • Traditionally, it was believed an alliance between France & Russia was impossible • Russia was autocratic; France was republican • However… France had given several large loans to Russia • Both wanted to offset Germany’s military threat • Each would support the other if attacked by Germany or another member of the Triple Alliance aided by Germany

  20. Anglo-Japanese Alliance1902 • After 1895 victory over China, Japan had been forced to give back territorial gains; they are looking for a powerful alliance • It is an anti-French & anti-Russian alliance • Britain wanted to end their isolation • Both countries would be neutral if the other involved in a war with only one country • They would come to each other’s aid if attacked by more than one country

  21. Entente Cordiale1904 • France & Britain; Edward VII favored an alliance with France, rather than with Germany • Settled colonial disputes between the two countries, especially in Africa • France recognized Egypt & Sudan as British • Britain recognized Morocco as French • Both would support the other if a third country challenged their spheres

  22. Anglo-Russian Entente1907 • Britain lost its fear of Russia after Russia was defeated in the Russo-Japanese War • Both countries felt threatened by Germany • The entente resolved colonial competition between the two countries in Persia & Afghanistan • Russo-French Rapprochement + Entente Cordiale + Anglo-Russian Entente = Triple Entente

  23. Related Events…Congress of Berlin 1878 • Met to rewrite Treaty of San Stefano between Russia & Ottoman Empire • San Stefano had given territory to Russia, land to Serbia & Montenegro • Bulgaria would increase greatly in size and become independent • Opposed by Britain & Austria • At Congress, Bulgaria greatly decreased in size

  24. Related Events…Boer War 1899-1902 • Germany antagonized Britain with the “Kruger Telegram” • Britain won the war, but because of criticisms of other countries realized how isolated they were • Motivated Britain to look for alliances

  25. Related Events…Russo-Japanese War 1904-05 • Russia wanted Port Arthur as a warm water port • Russia’s defeat showed Britain they did not need to fear Russia; less concerned about competition with Russia • Motivated Britain to settle issues with Russia… led to Anglo-Russian Entente & Triple Entente

  26. “Dropping the Pilot” • http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/ topic-art/66989/14746/Dropping-the-Pilot- cartoon-by-Sir-John-Tenniel-commenting-on

  27. Questions • What were Bismarck’s goals? • What were the major goals of Willhelm II in leading the German nation? • How did the dismissal of Bismarck change the fortunes of Europe? • What became the new line-up of European nations after the dismissal of Bismarck? • What were obvious strengths and weaknesses of each grouping of nations? • Why did the new balance bring together such incompatible partners?

More Related