Outbreak of WW1
Review
• Bismarck united Germany in 1871 through three wars and clever diplomacy
• After 1871, Bismarck became concerned with maintaining peace for Germany
• How had the unification of Germany changed European diplomacy?
• How had English and French imperialism affected German diplomacy?
• Which areas of Europe had been included in the Ottoman Empire?
1878 Congress of Berlin
• In 1875 Russo-Turkish War, Russia supported Slavic peoples in Balkans
• 1878 Congress of Berlin: gave voice to England, France, Germany to partition Ottoman European lands
• Bosnia, Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro put under Austrian control, but remained part of Ottoman Empire officially
• Britain given Cyprus; France given Tunisia; Russia given Bessarabia
• German diplomatic power recognized; balance of power sought and maintained
The Dual Alliance
• Alienation of Russia led Bismarck to conclude secret Dual Alliance treaty with Austria for mutual defense
• Bismarck expected reactionary Russia to stay unallied from republican France
• Italy joined Dual Alliance to counter French expansion in Mediterranean (Algeria etc.)
• Bismarck concluded neutrality pact with Russia
• Bismarck later dismissed by Wilhelm II, who wanted more aggressive build-up of navy: German diplomatic plans unraveled
Emperor Franz Joseph
Increasing Tensions
• Political isolation drove Russia to ally secretly with France
• German ambitions drove Britain to ally with France;
– Traditionally opposed France but allied with France in Crimea; cooperated at Congress of Berlin
– Germany antagonized Britain over African colonies and ship building
– 1904 Entente Cordiale settled colonial differences between England and France
1908 Postcard celebrating Franco-British Exhibition and universal peace
1st Moroccan Crisis 1906
• William encouraged a Moroccan rebellion and demanded European conference
• Conference confirmed French control, foiling German hopes
• Britain signed entente with Russia, fearing German naval race and colonial meddling
• Russia and Austria agreed that Austria would seize Balkans and Russia would seize Dardanelles
• Austria took Balkans before Russia could act, humiliating Russia
• Germany, ignorant of Austrian plans, was forced to accept Austrian gains
Italian Cartoon, 1915
2nd Moroccan Crisis, 1911
• France squashed Moroccan rebellion, which brought German warship to Morocco
• France conceded some Congo territory to Germany for German acceptance of French in Morocco
• Increased English fear of Germany
• Balkan Wars erupted when Italy attacked Ottoman Empire to gain Libya
• Tensions between Austria and Russia increased over role in Balkans, esp Serbia
German ship, Panther, whose presence off Morocco helped trigger 2nd crisis
Balkan Wars 1912-1913
• Bulgaria, Serbia, and Greece fought against Ottoman empire to gain territory
• After defeating Turks, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Greece fought each other for land
• Greece, Serbia, and Bulgaria all increased territory
• Serbs and Slavs resented Austria-Hungarian control over Balkan areas
1914
• June 28, 1914: Serbian “Black Hand” terrorists/nationalists assassinated Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to Austrian throne
• Germany encouraged Austria to attack Serbia, and promised alliance
• Austria delivered ultimatum to Serbia, which Serbia accepted
• Despite acceptance, Austria attacked Serbia
1914
• Russia mobilized forces in preparation for war against Austria
• Britain desperately pleaded for Austria to avoid war
• Germany’s Schlieffen Plan required defeating France before fighting Russia
• Germany mobilized, and invaded Belgium
• Britain and France mobilized to defend Belgium (and France)
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