European diplomacy: from the Bismarckian System and the Realpolitik to the pre-WW1 Alliances and the Weltpolitik

Résumé du document

From 1872 to 1907, a series of alliances are formed among European major powers. The international system formed by German chancellor Bismarck in order to ensure Germany's hegemony within Europe and prevent a possible French revenge disappears in 1890. Then, the European powers gather in two hostile groups: the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and the Triple Entente (Great-Britain, France, Russia). From 1904 onward, some conflicts oppose the main European countries and those tensions will eventually lead to the First World War. Being victorious over Napoleon III's France, in September 1871, Germany enjoys a certain hegemony on continental Europe during the following twenty years. This hegemony is due to the chancellor and prince of Bismarck, who conducts a clever diplomatic policy. Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898) is a man of the Old Regime.

Extraits

[...] The second crisis takes place in 1911, with the Germans sending a war ship to Agadir while the French army was intervening military in Morocco. War is hardly avoided, thanks to French Prime Minister, Joseph Caillaux. The creation of the Triple Entente Deliberately isolated by Bismarck after the French defeat in Sedan (September 4th 1871), France leaves its isolation by getting closer to Russia, from 1887 onward. France has indeed financial interests in Russia. Subsequently to the 1861 Emancipation Reform that sets up the liquidation of serf dependence previously suffered by Russian peasants, a late industrial revolution takes place in Russia. [...]

[...] The French-Italian friendship eventually leads to a secrete promise that the Italian government will not wage war against France, if Germany provokes a military conflict. This explains why Italy will proclaim itself neutral when the war begins (August 1914) and then betray the Triple Alliance by joining the Entente's side, on May 23rd 1915 (when Italy declares war to Austria-Hungary). The French diplomatic policy, which aims at breaking the German encirclement, is the work of a few famous ministers for Foreign Affairs: Ribot, Hanotaux and Delcassé. Conclusion In 1914, on the First World War's eve, France has achieved to turn the tables on Germany. [...]

[...] This is why William II refuses to renew the treaty of ‘Counter-Insurance', which conducts tsar Alexander III (though very hostile towards Republican regime) to look for France's support. The new French-Russian friendship will be favoured by Russia's need of French investments. William II is quite aware of the fact Germany has become the second industrial power in the world, just after the United States. He wants strategic positions for his country, raw materials, trade channels and places for investment. This explains the emergence of Germany's Weltpolitik, which will lead to the First World War. [...]

[...] Then, the European powers gather in two hostile groups: the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and the Triple Entente (Great-Britain, France, Russia). From 1904 onward, some conflicts oppose the main European countries and those tensions will eventually lead to the First World War. 1871-1890: The Bismarckian System, a will to isolate France and rule Europe A system based on France's isolation Being victorious over Napoleon III's France, in September 1871, Germany enjoys a certain hegemony on continental Europe during the following twenty years. [...]

[...] Moreover, the access to the Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean Seas has a real strategic importance. Considering the Austrian Empire, it has expansionist aims in the Aegean and the regime is confronted too to serious internal difficulties (because of the rise of the nationalist claims of the Southern Slavs). Thus, Bosnians, Croatians and Slovenians regard King Peter I's little independent Serbia as the nucleus of a possible Yugoslavian State. This explains why Vienna is seriously thinking of eliminating Serbia, because it represents such a bad example. [...]