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)