European diplomacy and planning for war HST 332: Age of Dictators, Europe 1850-1914

Lecture outline Diplomacy, alliances, foreign policy goals. War plans.

Diplomacy, alliances, and foreign policy goals

Great Britain Traditional British foreign policy. sought a “balance of power” on the European continent. Later added that channel ports must be in neutral hands. Throughout the 19th century, Britain had “issues” with France (Africa), Russia (India and the Dardanelles) and Germany (naval supremacy). Edward VII secured “entente cordial” with the French in 1904.

France Since Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the lodestar of French foreign and military policy was Revanche against Germany and the return of Alsace and Lorraine. Isolated throughout the 1880s, in the 1890s France concluded an alliance with Russia. By 1911, France successfully alleviated British fear of Russia and created the Triple Entente.

Russia For most of the 19th century, Russian foreign policy goals were suppression of revolutions at home and abroad. expansion in Central Asia and access to the Mediterranean through the Dardenelles. When Germany became hostile after 1890, Russia formed an alliance with France. This alliance was also necessary to secure capital for the Trans-Siberian railroad.

Austria-Hungary At the Congress of Berlin in 1878, agreed to a division of power in the Balkans with Russia. Rising pan-Slavism (sponsored by Russia) and a bloody coup in Serbia in 1903, brought Austria-Hungary into conflict with Russia and an aggressive Serbia. By 1914, the Austrian army and foreign ministry were determined to crush Serbia.

Germany Bismarck held that Germany Bismarck’s successor, Wilhelm II was a “sated power” with no territorial demands. should offset French through an alliance with Austria-Hungary and Russia. Bismarck’s successor, Wilhelm II let alliance with Russia lapse in 1892. began a major navy building program in 1898 that scared the British.

War plans

Great Britain Royal Navy to dominate North Sea and Channel. 1907 commitment to send 105,000 troops to France within 15 days of the beginning of the war. No agreement as to how or where these troops would be deployed.

France Plan 17 Field army would mobilize in eastern France and advance upon German fortifications in Lorraine and simultaneously advance to Rhine in Alsace. Reserve army to mobilize east of Paris to cover capital and await breakthrough. British to cover left flank in north.

Russia Europe’s largest army. Plan G Plan A Two armies to pincer into East Prussia, then advance upon Berlin Plan A Six armies to attack along Austrian border, push Austrians out of Galicia back to the Carpathian Mountains.

Austria-Hungary Divided army into 3 groups, one dedicated to Russian front, one dedicated to Serbian front, one in reserve. Plan R - concentration against Russia. Plan B - offensive against Serbia.

Germany 1905 Schlieffen Plan Attack and defeat superior French force within 60 days of mobilization. Offensive to be conducted through neutral Benelux countries. Victorious army “rides to the rescue” in the East and defeats or intimidates the Russians.

BBC History - Western Front animation

The Socialist International Workers must not support of war between capitalist states. When war appeared immanent, Socialist must agitate for peace. If war broke out, Socialist must refuse to fight and undertake a General Strike.