AP EURO Unit #6 – Early 20 th Century (The World Wars) Lesson #601 Causes of WWI

Essential Questions 1.What was Bismarck’s influence on Europe? 2.What caused the shift (in German attitude) from peace to push?

The New Germany Remember Bismarck as the War monger of the wars of unification That all ended the day Kaiser William I was crowned His new goal: avoid all war And, diffuse conflict with whatever Machiavelli means necessary or needed Why would he do that?

Example: Berlin Conference of 1878

Was called by Bismarck to negotiate a peace in Europe following Russo-Turkish War of Russia and Serbia attacked Ottomans to take land – Russia took the Dardanelles – Serbia took Bosnia Europeans saw this as an upset to Balance of Power – Bismarck called their leaders together Britain got Cyprus, France got Tunisia Austro-Hungary got Bosnia What did Russia and Serbia get? What will this mean for their relationship with Germany? Russians confused… Russia has saved Prussia from Napoleon in 1807

Berlin Conference of 1884

Prevent wars while claiming Africa Bismarck took leadership Was being seen as the creator of peace But, in both cases, what did Germany take? NOTHING Why is that?

Bismarck’s alliances The Three Emperor’s League (1873) The Dual Alliance (1879) Triple Alliance (1882) Reinsurance Treaty (1887) Look at your notes – second part Use that to answer some questions…

Three Emperor’s League Who was in it? What seems to be the purpose of it? What splintered it? Should Bismarck worry? Why might Bismarck just relax on Russia… and wait for them to return? Why is he pretty sure this “playing hard to get” will work, and Russia will return? Why will this be even BETTER for Germany?

Dual Alliance Who was in it? Why? Why would Russia find nothing in common with France and Britain? Bismarck’s “schtick” was to create alliances that would last only five years. Why? Why was this alliance vital? Why would he never really worry about Britain? Where was France in all this?

Three Emperor’s League, renewal What was Russia doing ? What happened in 1878? What did Russia soon learn? What did Bismarck expect from Russia if they allowed her “back in”? What must they allow with Austria?

Triple Alliance Who was in it? Why would Italy join such an alliance? Why would Bismarck welcome this alliance? Who was the weak link? Why?

Reinsurance Treaty Who was in it? What had happened to the Three Emperor’s League? Why would this be necessary for Germany? What had Bismarck’s treaties assured would NOT happen? What did they prove about Germany?

Next Stage: Germany shifts Germany went from a peace making state, to one which created tension This was NOT Bismarck’s Germany – he was fired before he’d let THAT happen Bismarck had been used to running Europe by playing on the fears of contenders What am I talking about? Europe had become a German run continent And, they were not all that upset by it

Next Stage: Germany shifts But it 1890, old man Bismarck was fired by the new, younger, more ostentatious Kaiser William I died in 1888, passing power to grandson, who was eager to show German greatness Ambitious, arrogant, bombastic Filled with sense of German greatness Wanted what others had – Like a Navy and empire like England’s – Bismarck saw such nonsense as senseless

Next Stage: Germany shifts Bismarck stood in the way of Willy’s vision William then set Germany on a course for greatness – to find her place in the sun! He fortified the alliance with Austria by casting off Russia – no need for that behemoth

What’s next? What is the obvious result of this? Give some details… Example: What does France want? Why does Britain feel the need to build? What is about to happen in Russia? How do Serbia and Austria fit in?