How successful was German foreign policy between 1871-1904?
D and below – to know the alliances system and how this caused WWI
B aim – to analyze how far changes to alliances and Weltpolitik caused WWI
A/A* aim – to analyze how far Germany and other countries caused WWI
when considering alliances and Weltpolitik
Starter
There are 4 established causes of WW1:
–
–
–
–
Militarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism
Look at the 10 events and decide which category the fall into
Ext. Which of these suggest the blame of WWI lies with Germany
and which suggests that it lies with Britain?
In 1906, Britain
launched the first
Dreadnaught, the
most modern ship of
its time. It was
quicker and carried
bigger guns than
other ships.
Germany was
jealous of Britain’s
empire. The Kaiser
(Emperor) wanted
an empire as well.
The Germans knew
that they might one
day have to fight
both France and
Russia, so in 1905
they drew up a plan
to avoid this – the
Schlieffen Plan.
This was that
Germany would
invade France via
Belgium (a neutral
country) and quickly
gain control. Then
its army would turn
and fight Russia.
In 1907, Germany
was proud of its
navy. Germany
wanted it to be as
good if not better
than, Britain’s. So
the Nassau Class
was built to compete
with the British
Dreadnought.
The AustroHungarian Empire
was made up of
many countries.
The different
nationalities within
the empire wanted
independence.
However, the
Emperor wanted to
keep all of his
empire.
Russia wanted to
take land from the
Austro-Hungarian
Empire, so they
were enemies.
In 1882, Germany
Italy and AustriaHungary formed the
Triple Alliance. They
promised to help
each other if
attacked.
Britain promised to
protect Belgium if it
was attacked by
Germany.
In 1907, France,
Russia and Britain
formed an alliance
called the Triple
Entente, which said
they would help
each other if
attacked.
Serbia wanted all
the Slav people in
the AustroHungarian Empire to
be free and
independent. Many
Russians were also
Slavs, so Russia
promised to help
Serbia against
Austria-Hungary.
However, this view is very world focused and as A-Level historians
our focus needs to be on Germany and the role that it
specifically played in the start of WW1. There are 5 major
different schools of historical thought on the issue.
Wehler
Domestic issues (such
as growth of Social
Democrats and Zabern
affair) forced PrussoGerman elites to
pursue war as a means
of deflecting public
opinions – to so called
‘escape forwards’
theory.
Divide your A3 sheet
into 5 and write
headings of these 5
theories.
Fritz Fischer
Germany held the most
responsibility as they
had an unquestionable
desire to achieve
German dominance in
Europe
Pogge von Strandmann
It was a calculated war
that Germany believed
it could win in order to
strengthen Germany’s
domestic and
diplomatic situation
Strurmer
It was an offensively
conducted defensive
war based on exposed
geosrategic position of
Germany
Critics of Fischer’s
Thesis
Historians have criticised
Fischer’s thesis and place
blame with the AustroHungarians, Russians, the
general defensive climate
in Europe, imperialism,
the ‘Eastern Question’,
and the arms race.
1) Did the break up of the Bismarck system of alliances after 1890 set
in motion a chain of events that led to WW1?
Bismarckian alliances up to 1890
1.
Triple Alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy
1882
2. The Reinsurance Treaty (1887) linked Germany and Russia
3. 1887 Britain signs Mediterranean Agreements with Italy and
Austria
C and below
•Write definitions for
each of these alliances
from Access to History
pp. 48-53
•What was Bismarck’s
aim up to 1890?
B and A/A*
•Using your reading draw lines on the
tracing paper over the countries to
represent the different alliances
•How did Bismarck achieve his aims
up to 1890?
1) Did the break up of the Bismarck system of alliances after
1890 set in motion a chain of events that led to WW1?
1890-1904 – Did Bismarck diplomacy collapse?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1890 Reinsurance Treaty lapses
Franco-Russian Alliance 1894
Kruger Telegram 1896 – Britain and Germany fall out
The British realised their policy of ‘splendid isolation’, that their role as the strongest naval and imperial
power meant they didn’t need any allies, was weakening. They tried to make an Anglo-German agreement
from 1898-1901, partly as Bulow believed that Britain’s rivalry with France and Russia would bring them
close to war and Germany didn’t want to alienate Russia.
1902 Anglo-Japanese Alliance
1904 Anglo French Agreement (Entente Cordiale)
C and below
•Write definitions for
each of these events
from Access to History
pp. 48-53
•How did Bismarck’s
diplomacy collapse?
B and A/A*
•Using your reading draw lines on the
tracing paper over the countries to
represent the different alliances
•Why did Bismarckian diplomacy
collapse?
1) Did the break up of the Bismarck system of alliances after
1890 set in motion a chain of events that led to WW1?
1904-1914 Europe on the brink of war
• 1905 Russo Japanese War
• 1907 Britain signs entente with Russia – creating the Triple
Entente with France
• Austria supports Turkey in Balkans 1908
C and below
•Write definitions for
each of these events from
Access to History pp. 4853
•How did this development
in alliances make war more
likely?
B and A/A*
•Using your reading draw lines on the
tracing paper over the countries to
represent the different alliances
•Can we blame WWI on the ending of
Bismarckian diplomacy?
How successful was German
foreign policy from 1871 to 1904?
Can you add any evidence to any of
your theories?
Weltpolitik – Access to History
• What was it/aims?
• What did it mean for international affairs?
• Which historical views does it link to?
Grade
A
B
C
D
E
RAW Mark
55
49
43
37
31
Percent
78
70
61
53
44
a
23
21
18
16
13
B
31
28
24
21
18
Objectives
The expansion of the
Navy
Large colonial empire in
central Africa
Economic domination of
central Europe
Use page 55
Who will it upset and
why?
Achievements
Splendid isolationism
• Britain, largely due to its economic and naval superiority, had no
need to sign alliances in the 19th century. However, by 1900 it
was isolated and coming under increasing pressure from France,
Russia and Germany so isolation appeared less attractive.
• However, Germany failed to take advantage of the situation.
While Britain pushed for an Anglo-German agreement between
1898-1901, Bulow was convinced that Britain’s rivalry with
France and Russia would end in a war. Therefore negotiations
lapsed
• The growing commercial and naval rivalry led to the growth of
negative public opinions in both countries towards each other
• The signing of the Anglo-Japanese agreement (allowing Britain
to strengthen the navy in the north sea by withdrawing ships
from the pacific) and the Anglo-French agreement (aimed at
settling colonial disputes and encourage diplomacy) weakened
Germany considerably. They could no longer rely on AngloFrench hostility to strengthen their own hand.
Why did Britain and Germany dislike eachother?
Challenge the Historian
• Ferguson argues that................ which is supported by
the fact that ..........
• However, it could be argued that .............
• Fundamentally ........................................
• Did German foreign policy fail between 1890 and 1904? Explain
your answer
• Read pp. 58-66 and make notes on the crises and tensions of
1904 to 1911.