1. Bismarck’s Alliance System What Bismarck has joined, let no country put asunder (with apologies to marriage vows)

2. Treaty of Frankfurt 1871 France had to pay 5 billion francs in 5 years Germany took Alsace & half of Lorraine Residents had until Oct. 1872 to decide whether to move to stay in France or become German citizens German troops occupied northern France until the indemnity was paid; France had to pay the costs of the occupation Est. Third Republic in France

3. Britain Suspicious of any country that could threaten lines of communication in their empire Saw Russia as a threat Splendid isolation—concentrating on domestic issues, empire, Ireland Conflict with France in Africa & Asia Won’t sign treaties to commit to future action

4. Russia Alexander II tsar until 1881, then Alexander III until 1894 Instituting reforms; industrialization Pan-slavism—expansion into Balkans Wanted a useful warm water port, such as Port Arthur or port in Persia or from the Black Sea through the Bosporus into the Mediterranean

5. Austria-Hungary Opposed Russian expansion into the Balkans Multi-ethnic; opposed nationalistic movements within Austria and in the Balkans Later Germany became dependant on Austrian friendship

6. Germany Wanted to avoid an anti-German coalition Wanted security from potential foreign threat Avoid a two-front war William I’s son married Queen Victoria’s oldest daughter Bismarck wanted very little British influence in German government; disliked Britain’s more democratic two party system Encouraged French colonial expansion as a way to distract France from European conditions

7. France Concentrated on “revanche”—revenge Goal to get Alsace-Lorraine back Paid off indemnity sooner than Germany thought could occur Paid off in 1873; German soldiers left France Showed strength of French economy Germany believed France’s strong economy would allow France to reorganize & rebuild its army

8. League of the Three Emperors 1873 Austria, Russia, Germany Mutual consultation and support in matters of international importance Maintain existing territorial arrangements in Europe Resist spread of revolutionary movements Goal to isolate France diplomatically

9. Is War in Sight? Article in Berliner Post 1875 Bismarck worried about France’s ability to rearm Export of horses to France forbidden… usually a sign of preparation for war Article then appeared in the Berliner Post Germany viewed as aggressor against France Russia backed British protest to Germany Incident showed that France was not totally isolated

10. Secret Austro-German Alliance or Dual Alliance 1879 Because of results of the Congress of Berlin 1878, Russia refused to renew Three Emperor’s League Bismarck wanted a general treaty of mutual assistance if attacked by a third power Austria was getting along with France so wanted to mention Russia in the treaty Terms—would support the other if attacked by Russia or Russia & a third power Would be neutral if attacked by any other power Renewed every five years until 1918

11. Alliance of the Three Emperors or 2 nd League of the Three Emperors Negotiated 1881; Alexander II had died & Alexander III was in favor of an alliance to help suppress revolutionary movements Pledged the three members to neutrality if one was attacked by a 4 th country Divided the Balkans into spheres of influence… Austria in the west, Russia in the east Agreed to consult one another if there were another Balkan crisis For three years; renewed once in 1884

12. Triple Alliance 1882 Italy, Germany, Austria Italy was mad at France when France annexed Tunis; Italy wanted to build its own empire in Africa If Italy or Germany were attacked by France, the other would come to their aid If Austria were attacked by Russia, Italy would be neutral; but Austria would aid Italy if Italy attacked by France If any country attacked by two or more countries, the others would come to its aid

13. Problems of Italian alliance Italy wanted land Austria controlled… Italian Irredenta Italy eventually got over their anger at France taking Tunis Establishment of a republican government in France that would not help the Pope retake Rome & Papal states from Italy by 1900 Italy established several secret treaties with France in 1900 & 1902… each promised neutrality if provoked into war with a third party

14. Mediterranean Agreement 1887 Italy, Austria, Great Britain All agree to maintain the status quo in the Mediterranean All agree to prevent foreign domination of the Ottoman Empire Designed to be a barrier to French & Russian expansion

15. Reinsurance Treaty 1887 The Alliance of the Three Emperors fell apart due to problems in the Balkans Russia did not renew the Alliance in 1890 Secret treaty; Austria not told Germany & Russia agreed to be neutral if the other became involved in a war Exception… if Germany attacked France or Russia attacked Austria

16. Willhelm II of Germany 1859-1941 Willhelm I’s grandson & Queen Victoria’s grandson Kaiser of Germany 1888-1918; controlled supreme military & executive power Believed that Germany needed its “place in the sun” He loved the military and was restless; tried to upstage the British Wanted a navy as large as his grandmother’s navy Believed in “Weltpolitik”—world politics—no real goals other than “glory”

17. Quotes… Willhelm II… “As for having to sink my ideas and feelings at the bidding of the people that is a thing unheard of in Prussian history or the traditions of my House. What the German Emperor, King of Prussia thinks right and best for his people he does.” British politician Earl Grey… “The German Emperor is like a battleship with steam up and screws going, but with no rudder, and he will run into something someday and cause a catastrophe.”

18. End of Reinsurance Treaty 1890 William II became Kaiser in 1888; believed Germany’s alliance with Austria was more important than its alliance with Russia While Bismarck had not pursued colonial expansion, William II wanted colonies and navy Bismarck had promoted peaceful relations with Britain, but William II antagonized Britain William II fired Bismarck in 1890 and the alliance system unraveled

19. Russo-French Rapprochement 1894 Traditionally, it was believed an alliance between France & Russia was impossible Russia was autocratic; France was republican However… France had given several large loans to Russia Both wanted to offset Germany’s military threat Each would support the other if attacked by Germany or another member of the Triple Alliance aided by Germany

20. Anglo-Japanese Alliance 1902 After 1895 victory over China, Japan had been forced to give back territorial gains; they are looking for a powerful alliance It is an anti-French & anti-Russian alliance Britain wanted to end their isolation Both countries would be neutral if the other involved in a war with only one country They would come to each other’s aid if attacked by more than one country

21. Entente Cordiale 1904 France & Britain; Edward VII favored an alliance with France, rather than with Germany Settled colonial disputes between the two countries, especially in Africa France recognized Egypt & Sudan as British Britain recognized Morocco as French Both would support the other if a third country challenged their spheres

22. Anglo-Russian Entente 1907 Britain lost its fear of Russia after Russia was defeated in the Russo-Japanese War Both countries felt threatened by Germany The entente resolved colonial competition between the two countries in Persia & Afghanistan Russo-French Rapprochement + Entente Cordiale + Anglo-Russian Entente = Triple Entente

23. Related Events… Congress of Berlin 1878 Met to rewrite Treaty of San Stefano between Russia & Ottoman Empire San Stefano had given territory to Russia, land to Serbia & Montenegro Bulgaria would increase greatly in size and become independent Opposed by Britain & Austria At Congress, Bulgaria greatly decreased in size

24. Related Events… Boer War 1899-1902 Germany antagonized Britain with the “Kruger Telegram” Britain won the war, but because of criticisms of other countries realized how isolated they were Motivated Britain to look for alliances

25. Related Events… Russo-Japanese War 1904-05 Russia wanted Port Arthur as a warm water port Russia’s defeat showed Britain they did not need to fear Russia; less concerned about competition with Russia Motivated Britain to settle issues with Russia… led to Anglo-Russian Entente & Triple Entente

26. “Dropping the Pilot” http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/ topic-art/66989/14746/Dropping-the-Pilot- cartoon-by-Sir-John-Tenniel-commenting-on

27. Questions What were Bismarck’s goals? What were the major goals of Willhelm II in leading the German nation? How did the dismissal of Bismarck change the fortunes of Europe? What became the new line-up of European nations after the dismissal of Bismarck? What were obvious strengths and weaknesses of each grouping of nations? Why did the new balance bring together such incompatible partners?