Discuss the impact of Germany's foreign policy on the period in Europe in the
period 1870 - 1945.
Germany didn't exist before the complete of Germany unification in
1871. Then, the new state became the most powerful state in Europe owing to
its location, population, military and economic power .The German foreign
policy could be divided into 4 stages. They were Bismarck era (1870-1890),
William second era (1914-1933) and Hitler era (1933-1945). Different aims of
different stages caused different impact on the balance of power in
1870-1945.
During the Bismarck era (1870-1890), the German foreign policy aimed at
isolating France to prevent possible revenge. After the unification of Germany
and Italy, there were 6 powers on Europe including Britain, France, Russia,
Austria, Germany and Italy. Although Germany could defeat France in Franco
- Prussian War, she was a new state and needed time to develop her power.
He tried to keep friend relationship with Austria and Russia. In 1872, the
three emperor formed Dreikaiserbund. The disputes of Russia and Austria
over Balkans issues led to the break down of Dreikaiserbund. During the
congress of Berlin in 1878, Bismarck chose Austria a reliable alliance and
support Austria more than Russia. Russia withdrew the alliance and Bismarck
found it was impossible to coordinate the conflicts between Russia and
Austria. At the end, she chose Italy to form Triple Alliance with Austria and
Germany in 1882. And he also signed Reinsurance Treaty with Russia in
1887. In Bismarck era (1870-1890), the alliance system still could work well
because of Bismarck's skillful diplomacy, which aimed at preserving a
peaceful environment. At that time, France was isolation and was the most
powerful maritime power. The balance of power was imbalance as it on the
German side.
During William second era (1890-1918), Germany aimed at expanding
overseas. German foreign expansion showed its colonial disputes with France
and Britain. The rapid rise of Germany in Europe alarmed Britain. William
second didn't sign the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia and in 1894 there was
Franco-Russian Alliance. In 190, Triple Entente was formed with member of
Britain, France and Russia. Although Triple Entente and Triple Alliance had
three powers, Triple Alliance was more danger as it's member ----- Italy was
not reliable. Italy joined the Allied power in 1915 proved the agreement. The
navy race between Britain and Germany over the build of destroyers and the
pass of conscription law in both powers like France and Germany. And
German ambition in Morocco crisis (1905-1911) led to German isolation. In
1914, on Austria became her reliable alliance. But the balance of power still
can keep, as Germany was strong enough to be against the Allied power on
both sides until 1918. However, the German attempts to involve Mexico in an
invasion of the USA (the Zimmermann Telegram) provoked US joined the
Allied sides. The balance of power was collapse and Germany become an
isolated one and communist Russia also isolated. As a result, Germany was a
new balance of power.
During the Weimar Republic era (1918-1933), Germany aimed at
Re-build German prestige and keep good relationship with other countries. In
the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was forced to accept war guilty, reparation
and ceded lands. In that time, the European affair was lead by Britain and
France while USA introduced its isolation policy in 1919. France signed
military treaties with ' Little Entente' to isolate Germany, Britain, to keep
balance of power, didn't sign any new mutual assistance treaty with France. In
1919, France tried her best to keep peace and weaken Germany. Germany was
the most powerful states facing the newly established states like Austria,
Hungary, Poland, Baltic states and so on. Germany successfully in got US aid
in Dawes Plan in 1924 to solve the reparation problem. In 1925, Germany
signed the Locarno Treaty to recognize its western frontier with France and
Belgium. In 1928, Germany signed Briand - Kellog Pact to denounce war as a
method to solve disputes. Germany rejoin the international affair balanced the
Russia was isolated as the democratic power didn't trust her. Italy was a little
power but couldn't be against France face by face. Thus, the new balance of
power in Europe was Germany face France at that time.
In Hitler era (1933-1945), German foreign policy was expansion. The
rearmament of Germany after 1933 destroys the balance of power. Hitler tried
to pacify the fear of France and Britain. In 1935, he signed Anglo-German
naval agreement limited German naval fleet to 35% of the British tonnage.
Hitler's friendship gesture towards Britain caused France could not be against
Germany solely. Eventually, Britain and France gave free hand for Hitler
invaded Europe through appeasement policy. As a result, Austria,
Czechoslovakia and Poland were invaded from 1938 to 1939. The signing of
Pact of steel with Italy and Nazi-Soviet Non Aggression Pact with Russia
gave Hitler freed hand to attach France and Britain on Western Europe. In
Wartime (1939-1945), Germany dominated the whole Europe. The balance of
power left Soviet Russia and Britain to be against Nazi Germany in Central
Europe. France was defeated in 1940.
In Hitler era, Soviet really benefit from Nazi invasion. The signing of
Nazi-Soviet Non Aggression Pact led to Russian Expansion in East Europe to
occupied Baltic States and Poland. After the Second World War, Soviet
Russia became the super power and US also a super power. The fall of Britain,
France, Germany and Italy led to Europe was dominated US and Russia in
1945.
In conclusion, Germany really an important power in the period
1870-1945. Each stage Germany foreign policy had special aim and each time
it change the balance of power. The hostility and friendship toward other
states changed the foreign policy of other countries. The balance of power
from Six Europe powers including Britain, France, Russia, Austria, Germany
and Italy to two super power including US and Soviet Union was the impact
of German foreign policy.