Bismarck's Foreign Policy
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Bismarck’s foreign Policy Bismarck’s aims Because of its central position, Germany was open to war from two sides Furthermore, the France wanted to revenge, so Bismarck wanted her to be isolated. The Dreikaiserbund (league of the Three Emperors) => 1873-1878 Germany Austria-Hungary Russia Aim: To maintain existing borders in Europe Fight socialism & republicanism Russia & Austria-Hungary rivals in the Balkans So it wasn’t a military alliance 1878: Russia defeated the Turks The treaty of San Stefano: Russia got a greater influence in the Balkans Austria-Hungary did not accept this arrangement Bismarck did not want to see a war between Russia & Austria- Hungary. 1878: Congress of Berlin Bismarck = Honest broker Supported by the British prime minister, Disraeli Russia’s plan to create the large state of Bulgaria was dropped War avoided but long-term problems remained The dual alliance Russia’s Tsar annoyed
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Bismarck’s foreign Policy
Bismarck’s aims
Because of its central position, Germany was open to war from two sides
Furthermore, the France wanted to revenge, so Bismarck wanted her to be isolated.
The Dreikaiserbund (league of the Three Emperors)=> 1873-1878
Germany Austria-Hungary Russia
Aim: To maintain existing borders in EuropeFight socialism & republicanism
Russia & Austria-Hungary rivals in the BalkansSo it wasn’t a military alliance
1878: Russia defeated the TurksThe treaty of San Stefano: Russia got a greater influence in the Balkans
Austria-Hungary did not accept this arrangementBismarck did not want to see a war between Russia & Austria-Hungary.
1878: Congress of BerlinBismarck = Honest broker
Supported by the British prime minister, Disraeli
Russia’s plan to create the large state of Bulgaria was dropped
War avoided but long-term problems remained
The dual alliance
Russia’s Tsar annoyedThought that was a coalition of Europe against Russia leading by Bismarck
Relations worsened Russia moved an army to the German frontier
1879 : Dual Alliance between Germany & Austria-Hungary
If A-H or Germany was attacked by Russia, they will help each other If they were attacked by another country, other would remain neutral
Bismarck did not want to break with Russia but just scare her
Russia turned her colonial intentions to the East
But afraid of isolation so1881: renew the Dreikaiserbund
Triple Alliance
Italy with a dispute with France over the colonisation of TunisDemanded for join the Dual Alliance
Bismarck accepted to keep France isolated
Colonialism
For Bismarck: colonies = expensive luxuries
But because of public opinion, 1882 = foundation of German Colonial Union
German Colonisation: South-West Africa
Cameroon Togo land
German East Africa Some islands in the Pacific
The Reinsurance Treaty
Remaining of the tensions between A-H & Russia about the Balkans
1885Bulgaria Crisis
Austria-Hungary supported
Serbia
Russia supported Bulgaria
Dreikaiserbund broke up
Bismarck worried about an alliance between France & Russia.
→ 1887 Reinsurance Treaty They would stay neutral in case of war
Unless Russia attacked Austria-HungaryFrance attacked Germany
Bismarck’s fall from power
1888: William II became the new EmperorWanted to governAmbitious
Differences between him and Bismarck occurred
1889 : Great Strike in Ruhr
Bismarck In the side of the employers=> More conservative
William II in the side of the miners:
Raise miner’s wages Banning child labour Reducing working hour Ending Sunday working
Resignation
1890 Bismarck allowed William to see a Russian Tsar’s letter insulting for him Bismarck accused William II of being anti-Russia. William demanded so Chancellor’s resignation.
1898 Bismarck died.
