The Age of Bismarck

1
The Age of Bismarck

• German Domestic Policy
• The Alliance System

2
Victory Over the French

• Prussian Victory over France in 1870 marked the
  end of French dominance in Europe
• The new Germany would become the centre of power,
  dominated by Otto Von Bismarck (Chancellor). He
  would become the most important factor in every
  political, military and diplomatic undertaking by
  the great powers from 1871-1890. Despite warlike
  moves in public, his underlying policy was to
  keep Germany out of war and Europe at peace.
• Through victory in war, nationalism grew in
  Germany, along with increased support for the
  Kaiser (King) Wilhelm I
• As a result of losing the Franco-Prussian war,
  France lost much of the territories of Alsace and
  Lorraine and agreed to pay 5 billion francs!
  (touching off a civil war in France)

3
Bismarck Isolates France

• It was important for the newly elected Adolphe
  Thiers to raise the morale in France so over the
  next 4 years, the army was rearmed and became a
  potent force.
• Industrial growth grew rapidly and exports
  tripled! The French had a hand in building most
  of Europes railroads (except those in Germany).
• Bismarck knew that Germany could defeat France if
  war came, but not if France had an ally, in
  particular, Russia, as Germany would then be
  faced with a two front war.

4
The Three Emperors League

• Instead he looked to Austria-Hungary and Russia
  as strong leaders governed them.
• Therefore, Bismarck proposed the Three Emperors
  League with Kaiser Wilhelm I, Tsar Alexander II
  (Russia), and Franz-Joseph (Austria-Hungary).
  This agreement of not interfering with each
  others spheres of influence was designed in the
  spirit of maintaining peace by simply not going
  to war. Germany and Russia also had the common
  need to keep the Polish quiet.
• Russia had previously agreed to stay out of
  Germanys wars of 1866 1870 an would further
  respect Germanys annexation of Alsace-Lorraine
  if in return Germany would support Russia if she
  built a Navy on the Black Sea (violating the
  Treaty of Paris, 1856).
• Bismarck felt Russia and Germany could have a
  lasting friendshipand he certainly did not want
  a war with Russia anyway as Russia could assemble
  a million man army rather quickly!

5
Drei Kaiserbund cont.

• Bismarck had no desire to include Austria in his
  empire as he would then have to accept all of the
  Hungarians and Slavs too. Thus, he would have to
  accept Austria-Hungarys expansionist desires in
  the Balkans.
• Both Russia and Austria-Hungary believed Germany
  would side with them in their efforts to advance
  on the Balkansand this was the flaw in his
  strategy.
• The League came into being in 1873 and Bismarck
  made it his personal duty to make sure Russia and
  Austria-Hungary did not go to war with one
  another.
• France now stood alone and was not a threat to
  Germany.

6
Bismarcks Domestic Policy

• The German government established a constitution
  under which the Prussian King Wilhelm I would
  rule, but the power would be in the hands of his
  appointed Chancellor. The other German Princes
  held important conservative positions and duties,
  and they were allowed tremendous autonomy, which
  helped them feel significant.
• Opposed Socialist ideas and Catholicism as both
  placed ideology above the state.

Wilhelm I
7
Congress of Berlin 1878

• Crisis in the Balkans in 1875 resulted in the
  Berlin Congress of 1878. Rebellion against the
  Ottoman Empire made the possibility of
  confrontation between Russia and A-H. R declared
  war on the Turks but the Turks were quickly
  backed by the British. A-H announced it would
  annex Bosnia and Herzegovina. All this caused
  Bismarck to realize that major war was indeed
  possible and so called the meeting in Berlin.
• At this congress, it was decided that The Ottoman
  Empire was no longer capable of managing its
  European territory. Instead of being completely
  dismantled, the Sick man of Europe was
  reorganized. Bulgaria could not expand, Britain
  was given Cyprus, Russia would get to use the
  Black Sea for her Navy, and Austria-Hungary would
  get to administer Bosnia and Herzegovina.

8
Russia Grows Suspicious

• A strained peace was had for the next 36 years,
  however many problems were left unresolved in
  both Europe and the Balkans, particularly
  regarding the growing sense of nationalism with
  in the Slavic minorities of the Balkan region.
• Through this experience, Russia felt that perhaps
  Germany was not a reliable ally.

9
Allies and Enemies

• Bismarcks Web of Alliancesand enemies
• Bismarck suspected further unrest in Europe and
  moved to create secret defensive alliances.
• In 1879 the DUAL ALLIANCE was formed- Germany and
  Austria-Hungary agreed to go to each others
  assistance if attacked by another nation.
• In 1881 the 3 Emperors League was renewed with a
  promise to remain neutral if attacked by an
  outside nation.
• In 1882 Italy enters the Dual Alliance to form
  the TRIPLE ALLIANCE. Italy felt it was safer to
  be friendly with Austria, then go to war alone
  with France (Tunisia Crisis). This would be
  tricky however as A-H and Italy had territorial
  disagreements over the Tyrol region and the city
  of Trieste.

10

• In 1887 a secret REINSURANCE TREATY between
  Germany and Russia was formed in which Germany
  would support Russias advances in the Balkans
  and would stay neutral war came b/w R and A-H.
  And in return, Russia promised neutrality if
  France ever went to war against Germany.

Otto Von Bismarck
Alexander I
11
German Colonialism??

• As far as Germanys role in the race for colonial
  claims, Bismarck saw little value in attaining
  territory. He did make several claims for land
  but for the sole purpose of creating conflict
  with Britain. He knew that the heir to the
  German throne was pro-British and
  pro-Parliamentarian, and this he could not
  tolerate. He wrote a note to British Prime
  Minister Gladstone inquiring about any territory
  Britain was interested in, but instructed the
  German Ambassador to Britain in London to NOT
  forward it! He would later challenge Gladstone
  about the insult of not replying. The press ate
  this up and there was instant outrage against
  the British from all circles within the German
  public very clever very manipulative.
• With this accomplished, he abandoned the idea of
  colonial claims, unless it meant the loss of
  national prestige for Germany.

12
Bismarck Loses Russia

• In 1887, Bismarck needed to pass a Bill which
  would require an increase in taxes. Knowing that
  the Reichstag would not approve it without reason
  Bismarck created the reason! The new Prince of
  Bulgaria achieved his throne with Russian
  support. He soon showed pro-Austrian support and
  even expressed an interest in marrying the
  daughter of the Crown Prince of Germany. Tsar
  Alexander was uneasy about this as it may
  threaten his influence in the Balkans, especially
  as German/Austrian railways were moving toward
  Constantinople. The Tsar demanded that
  Battenberg abdicate.
• Again Bismarck used the media to his advantage,
  as with war looming who would deny the Army Bill?
• Russia then asked Germany for loans to
  industrialize, and Germany said no. This would
  prove costly as French investors lined up with
  money ready to loan the Russians.

13
Death of the Kaiser

• In 1888, Wilhelm I died and his son Prince
  Friedrich took the throne (but died of throat
  cancer after 99 days). His son, Wilhelm II then
  took the throne and unlike his grandfather, he
  wanted to play an active role in the governing of
  his country
• In 1890, after many disagreements over socialist
  legislation, and after finally losing the support
  of the German people, Bismarck was asked to
  resign
• The Iron Chancellor saw Germany become Europes
  superpower, and managed successfully to avert
  many wars. His accomplishments were truly
  remarkable.

14
Looking for Allies

• In 1893 Kaiser Wilhelm II tried to bring Russia
  back into the fold by ordering the new Chancellor
  Leo von Caprivi to resurrect the Reinsurance
  Treaty and temporarily remove tariffs on Russian
  grain. This upset Russia as it was only
  temporary, and this failure to reconcile would
  also prove costly to Germany. Unlike Bismarck
  who never had to choose between R and A-H,
  Wilhelm would and he would choose A-H as even he
  saw economic value in the Balkans.
• The Kaiser looked at Britain as a potential ally
  as a deterrent to France and Russia. To lure
  Britain in, the Kaiser would offer to Britain,
  German territory and easier access to British
  territory. Wilhelm mistakenly assumed that
  Britain would be interested in letting go of her
  isolationist policy. Insulted and embarrassed,
  Wilhelm was forced to rely on her alliance with
  A-H and Italy, and now looked at Britain as and
  enemy.

15
DualTriple Entente

• In 1894, the DUAL ENTENTE was formed between
  France and Russia (mainly military cooperation)
  whereby Russia would support Frances position in
  getting back Alsace-Lorraine, if France would
  support Russias advances in the Balkans.
• In 1904, Britain and France reached an agreement,
  the ENTENTE CORDIALE, regarding their presence in
  North Africa. Britain would recognize French
  control of Morocco, if France would recognize
  British occupation in Egypt
• In 1907 Britain and Russia made a friendly
  agreement recognizing each others influence in
  Persia. These 3 arrangements resulted in the
  formation of the TRIPLE ENTENTE.

Military budgets began to increase all over
Europe as the threat of major international
conflict became a frightening reality. The Naval
race was one such example which escalated not
only the risk of war but its killing power.
16
A Place in the Sun

• A final break with England came in 1896 over
  tensions in the Transvaal. British invaders had
  been captured and thrown in jail. Wilhelm sent a
  letter congratulating Paul Kruger, President of
  the Transvaal, which in turn outraged the British
  public. To this point Germany was Britains
  largest trading partner, but no more. The
  Kaisers popularity reached new heights at home
  as he brought Germany a Place in the Sun.
• Weltpolitik was an aggressive policy that would
  allow Germany a sphere of influence similar to
  other great powers regarding international
  prestige and economic power. It involved massive
  Army and Navy build-up and would be costly.
  Although this could bring Germany into military
  conflict, the German public cheered Wilhelms
  efforts every step of the way.

17
Some Damn thing in the Balkans --Bismarck

• In 1908, A-H annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  Despite warnings to not take in more Slavs, Franz
  Joseph felt that he had no choice and was also
  guaranteed German support.
• In 1911 Italy declared war on the Ottoman Empire
  by invading Tripoli (Libya). This drew the
  forces of the Ottoman Empire away from the
  Balkans and created a power vacuum. The varied
  groups within the Balkan region united to repel
  the Turks. Russia supported Serbia, A-H supported
  Bulgaria.
• At the London Conference, the victors fell out
  among themselves and fighting resumed. Fighting
  ceased again soon after.

18
The Assassination

• The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
  would ultimately bring all of Europe into war,
  ending Bismarcks goals of averting major war and
  making Germany a world power.