GERMANY’S ‘NEW COURSE’ AND
BRITAIN’S ‘DIPLOMATIC REVOLUTION’
GERMANY’S ‘NEW COURSE’:
1890-1914
BRITAIN’S ‘DIPLOMATIC
REVOLUTION’: 1902-07
IMPETUS: Kaiser Wilhelm II became Emperor in
1888, forced legendary Chancellor Bismarck to
‘retire’ in 1890. Decided to ‘change course’ with
Germany’s foreign policy.
IMPETUS: Britain’s friendless ‘splendid isolation’
didn’t look so good when Boer War increased
international dislike or hatred of Britain’s
government.
NEW STRATEGY: Instead of maintaining good
relations with Russia (and distracting them
through imperialism), add Britain to the Triple
Alliance as part of an anti-Russian coalition.
NEW STRATEGY: Create mostly non-binding
‘friendships’ with nations (Japan, 1902; France,
1904; Russia, 1907) that can help patrol the
oceans on behalf of British interests and counter
German influence.
OUTCOMES: Franco-Russian Alliance (1891,
1894) led to rival alliances in Europe; Britain
never joined Triple Alliance, but went in other
direction [see at right] after Germany launched
its naval building program; “encirclement”;
growing need to prop up Austria-Hungary as
their only firm ally (1914’s “Blank Check”???).
OUTCOMES: Britain went down a road that led
to the First World War, even though it made no
“firm commitments.” However, Britain did
improve its reputation among nations greatly
when compared to the unilateral 1882-1902
period.
AGREEMENTS REACHED:
1902-07
Jan. 1902: Alliance between Britain & Japan
CONTEXT:
* 1900-1904: Russia & Japan were headed to war over Manchuria & Korea
* 1901: Japan proposed an alliance w/ Britain (J would fight R expansion in
China if B could keep France out of such a war)
* 1902: J & R close to peaceful settlement (Korea to J; Manchuria to R); this
alarmed Britain, so they made alliance w/ J (Jan. 30)
June 1902: Italy renews Triple Alliance, then closes ultra-secret
deal with France
* Two days after renewing w/ G & A-H, Italy promised neutrality in any war into
which France had been provoked (or attacked first); Italy stayed neutral in 1914
1903: Austria-Hungary & Russia work together to prevent
Macedonia conflict (cooperation lasts until 1908 Bosnian Crisis, but builds
upon relative cooperation since 1881)
AGREEMENTS REACHED:
1902-07
Feb. 1904: Russo-Japanese War begins (J invasion of Port Arthur)
* 1904: France will not assist (R is OK w/ this; also OK w/ French-British
“entente” below)
* 1904: In midst of war, Germany proposes alliance to Russia (no deal)
* August 1905: Amidst 1905 revolution, Russia signs peace treaty (J wins)
April 1904: “Entente Cordiale” reached by Britain & France
* 1903: Negotiations to settle colonial disputes in Africa begin
* April 8, 1904: Deal reached - NOT an alliance at all; F accepted B’s rule of
Egypt; B supported F taking control in Morocco (+ other smaller issues settled)
* Concerning to Germany (set up First Moroccan Crisis situation)
Aug. 1907: Russia & Britain agree to “Entente” settlement
* Also NOT an alliance (sometimes called “Triple Entente”) - settled Afghanistan
(Russia stays out) & Persia/Iran (R gets north; B south)
* Oops - G strategy assumed B & R would stay enemies & seek out G for help
BACKGROUND TO
MOROCCAN CRISIS
Late 1800s: FRANCE & SPAIN each made claims to
Morocco
* Spain = Western Sahara & “Spanish Morocco.” The rest is “French.”
There was still a MOROCCAN government that wanted to
be independent, but faced revolts in 1902-03
* France not yet ruling it as colony in 1900, but wanted it
* Britain agreed to this in “Entente Cordiale” (1904)
Complicating factor: GERMANY had won certain economic
and trade rights inside Morocco
THE MOROCCAN CRISES:
STARRING GERMANY AND FRANCE
THE 1ST MOROCCAN CRISIS
THE 2ND MOROCCAN CRISIS (1911)
1905-06
1911
Germany publicly objected to French
interference in Morocco
German gunboat parked itself off
Moroccan coast; refused to move
Conference at Algeciras
Gunboat (The Panther) at Agadir
Likely German strategy: To test (and
splinter) British-French “friendship”
Show the French they cannot break
Algeciras agreement w/o complications?
Result: Overall diplomatic defeat for Germany Britain stepped in to help negotiate a deal
(even Italy voted against their position)
between France & Germany
Result: Conditions were set on France’s future
Results: Germany gained some land in the
behavior in Morocco (minor German victory), Congo, plus “gunboat diplomacy” reputation;
but possible alliance w/ Russia slipped away
France colonized Morocco
BOSNIAN CRISIS
(1908)
& JULY CRISIS
(1914):
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY (THEREFORE GERMANY) VS.
SERBIA (THEREFORE RUSSIA - DUE TO PAN-SLAVISM, NOT ANY ALLIANCE)
BOSNIAN CRISIS
JULY CRISIS
Austria-Hungary annexed BosniaHerzegovina (1908)
“Black Hand” assassinated AustriaHungary’s heir (Franz Ferdinand)
Serbia objected strongly; appealed to
Russia for support
Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia; Germany
issued “Blank Check”*
Russia backed Serbian claims
Austria-Hungary sent harsh ultimatum to
Serbia
Germany bluntly threatened Russia with Assuming Russia’s support, Serbia rejected
war* if they didn’t back off
one item; A-H declared war
Russia, lacking French support**, backed
down; war averted
Russia went to general mobilization; didn’t
respond to Germany’s order to halt; WAR
* Many historians consider this a violation of the defensive intent and terms of the Triple Alliance (an “offensive” move).
** By contrast, France stuck to strictly defensive terms in 1908. There was no French “Blank Check” to Russia in 1914, but the Russians
were led to believe they would have support if they were attacked this time.
THE BALKAN WARS:
THE GREAT POWERS FAIL TO PREVENT THE NEW BALKAN STATES
FROM CARVING THEIR TURKEY
THE FIRST BALKAN WAR (1912-13)
THE SECOND BALKAN WAR (1913)
Italy’s attack upon Ottoman Libya (Tripolitania) in Territorial disputes between both Greece and
1911 sparks creation of the Balkan League
Bulgaria, and Serbia and Bulgaria led to 2nd war
Great Powers attempt to prevent war (even A-H
& Russia write a note together, calling for peace!)
Serbia and Greece formed alliance against
Bulgaria
Too late; tiny Montenegro attacked the Turks
Oct. 8, hours before note from Powers arrived
Tsar Nicholas II proposed that he arbitrate to
settle all disputes (Serbia, Greece reluctantly agreed)
The other three Balkan League nations (Serbia,
Greece, Bulgaria) joined the war Oct. 18, 1912
Bulgaria attacked Serbian & Greek troops before
arbitration could occur*
750,000 Balkan League troops vs. 450,000
Ottoman troops
Rumania (not part of original war), looking for
gains, quickly joined against Bulgaria
By Dec. 1912, the Balkan League had won (and
the Italians had defeated the Turks as well)
Even the Turks entered the war against Bulgaria;
successfully regained a chunk of European land!
May 1913: The Treaty of London (Serbia angry - did
Second Balkan War: 870,000 troops vs. 60,000
Bulgarian troops; can you guess who won?
not get Albania; Bulgaria angry - wanted more Macedonia)