1. There are 4 established causes of WW1:
How successful was German foreign policy between ? D and below – to know the alliances system and how this caused WWI B aim – to analyze how far changes to alliances and Weltpolitik caused WWI A/A* aim – to analyze how far Germany and other countries caused WWI when considering alliances and Weltpolitik
Starter
There are 4 established causes of WW1:
Militarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism
Look at the 10 events and decide which category the fall into
Ext. Which of these suggest the blame of WWI lies with Germany and which suggests that it lies with Britain?

2. Britain promised to protect Belgium if it was attacked by Germany.
In 1906, Britain launched the first Dreadnaught, the most modern ship of its time. It was quicker and carried bigger guns than other ships.
The Germans knew that they might one day have to fight both France and Russia, so in 1905 they drew up a plan to avoid this – the Schlieffen Plan. This was that Germany would invade France via Belgium (a neutral country) and quickly gain control. Then its army would turn and fight Russia.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire was made up of many countries. The different nationalities within the empire wanted independence. However, the Emperor wanted to keep all of his empire.
In 1882, Germany Italy and Austria-Hungary formed the Triple Alliance. They promised to help each other if attacked.
Britain promised to protect Belgium if it was attacked by Germany.
Germany was jealous of Britain’s empire. The Kaiser (Emperor) wanted an empire as well.
In 1907, Germany was proud of its navy. Germany wanted it to be as good if not better than, Britain’s. So the Nassau Class was built to compete with the British Dreadnought.
Russia wanted to take land from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, so they were enemies.
In 1907, France, Russia and Britain formed an alliance called the Triple Entente, which said they would help each other if attacked.
Serbia wanted all the Slav people in the Austro-Hungarian Empire to be free and independent. Many Russians were also Slavs, so Russia promised to help Serbia against Austria-Hungary.

3. Divide your A3 sheet into 5 and write headings of these 5 theories.
However, this view is very world focused and as A-Level historians our focus needs to be on Germany and the role that it specifically played in the start of WW1. There are 5 major different schools of historical thought on the issue.
Fritz Fischer
Germany held the most responsibility as they had an unquestionable desire to achieve German dominance in Europe
Wehler
Domestic issues (such as growth of Social Democrats and Zabern affair) forced Prusso-German elites to pursue war as a means of deflecting public opinions – to so called ‘escape forwards’ theory.
Strurmer
It was an offensively conducted defensive war based on exposed geosrategic position of Germany
Critics of Fischer’s Thesis
Historians have criticised Fischer’s thesis and place blame with the Austro-Hungarians, Russians, the general defensive climate in Europe, imperialism, the ‘Eastern Question’, and the arms race.
Pogge von Strandmann
It was a calculated war that Germany believed it could win in order to strengthen Germany’s domestic and diplomatic situation
Divide your A3 sheet into 5 and write headings of these 5 theories.

4. How did Bismarck achieve his aims up to 1890?
1) Did the break up of the Bismarck system of alliances after 1890 set in motion a chain of events that led to WW1? Bismarckian alliances up to 1890
Triple Alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy 1882
The Reinsurance Treaty (1887) linked Germany and Russia
1887 Britain signs Mediterranean Agreements with Italy and Austria
C and below
Write definitions for each of these alliances from Access to History pp
What was Bismarck’s aim up to 1890?
B and A/A*
Using your reading draw lines on the tracing paper over the countries to represent the different alliances
How did Bismarck achieve his aims up to 1890?

5. Why did Bismarckian diplomacy collapse?
1) Did the break up of the Bismarck system of alliances after 1890 set in motion a chain of events that led to WW1? – Did Bismarck diplomacy collapse?
1890 Reinsurance Treaty lapses
Franco-Russian Alliance 1894
Kruger Telegram 1896 – Britain and Germany fall out
The British realised their policy of ‘splendid isolation’, that their role as the strongest naval and imperial power meant they didn’t need any allies, was weakening. They tried to make an Anglo-German agreement from , partly as Bulow believed that Britain’s rivalry with France and Russia would bring them close to war and Germany didn’t want to alienate Russia.
1902 Anglo-Japanese Alliance
1904 Anglo French Agreement (Entente Cordiale)
C and below
Write definitions for each of these events from Access to History pp
How did Bismarck’s diplomacy collapse?
B and A/A*
Using your reading draw lines on the tracing paper over the countries to represent the different alliances
Why did Bismarckian diplomacy collapse?

6. Can we blame WWI on the ending of Bismarckian diplomacy?
1) Did the break up of the Bismarck system of alliances after 1890 set in motion a chain of events that led to WW1? Europe on the brink of war
1905 Russo Japanese War
1907 Britain signs entente with Russia – creating the Triple Entente with France
Austria supports Turkey in Balkans 1908
C and below
Write definitions for each of these events from Access to History pp
How did this development in alliances make war more likely?
B and A/A*
Using your reading draw lines on the tracing paper over the countries to represent the different alliances
Can we blame WWI on the ending of Bismarckian diplomacy?

7. How successful was German foreign policy from 1871 to 1904?
Can you add any evidence to any of your theories?

8. Weltpolitik – Access to History
What was it/aims?
What did it mean for international affairs?
Which historical views does it link to?

9. Grade
RAW Mark
Percent a B A 55 78 23 31 49 70 21 28 C 43 61 18 24 D 37 53 16 E 44 13

10. Objectives
Who will it upset and why?
Achievements
The expansion of the Navy
Large colonial empire in central Africa
Economic domination of central Europe
Use page 55

11. Splendid isolationism
Britain, largely due to its economic and naval superiority, had no need to sign alliances in the 19th century. However, by 1900 it was isolated and coming under increasing pressure from France, Russia and Germany so isolation appeared less attractive.
However, Germany failed to take advantage of the situation. While Britain pushed for an Anglo-German agreement between , Bulow was convinced that Britain’s rivalry with France and Russia would end in a war. Therefore negotiations lapsed
The growing commercial and naval rivalry led to the growth of negative public opinions in both countries towards each other
The signing of the Anglo-Japanese agreement (allowing Britain to strengthen the navy in the north sea by withdrawing ships from the pacific) and the Anglo-French agreement (aimed at settling colonial disputes and encourage diplomacy) weakened Germany considerably. They could no longer rely on Anglo-French hostility to strengthen their own hand.
Why did Britain and Germany dislike eachother?

12. Challenge the Historian
Ferguson argues that which is supported by the fact that
However, it could be argued that
Fundamentally

13. Did German foreign policy fail between 1890 and 1904
Did German foreign policy fail between 1890 and 1904? Explain your answer
Read pp and make notes on the crises and tensions of 1904 to 1911.