Germany’s Foreign Policy under Bismarck

1. Germany’s Foreign Policyunder Bismarck 1870-1890

2. Preset: • What is foreign policy? • Give some examples of foreign policy. • Typically, what are countries trying to achieve with their foreign policy?

3. Goals of Bismarck for Germany • Contain German nationalism to the boundaries of Germany created in 1871 • Stabilize Europe to allow Germany to grow economically – no wars of reprisal • Maintain status quo among the Great Powers • Keep France and AH from attacking Germany • Prevent Germany from becoming politically/geographically surrounded • Isolate France politically – NO allies • Keep Russia in the German sphere of influence • Protect Germany’s new position of political dominance on the continent

4. Franco-Prussian War (1870) • Treaty of Frankfurt (1871) • Germany annexed Alsace and N. Lorraine • Coal, iron ore, textiles • France pay indemnity 5 billion gold francs • German army of occupation until paid • Intended to weaken France economically to prevent military rebuilding

5. Three Emperors League (1873)“Dreikaiserbund” • Germany, Austria, Russia • Three countries agreed to work out political differences peacefully • Not truly an alliance • Isolated France from Austria and Russia • Protected Germany’s eastern border • Kept Germany from having to choose sides btwn Austria and Russia • Balkans – area of competition btwn Austria and Russia

6. Russo-Turkish War (1877) • Began over rebellions in Balkan provinces • Bosnia-Herzegovina (1875) • Serbia and Montenegro (1876) • Russia defeated Turkey • Russian intervention motivated by Pan-Slavism • Treaty of San Stefano • Gave too much territory to Russia around Black Sea and straits • Allowed for BIG Bulgaria under Russian influence • Opposed by Britain and AH • Bismarck called for Conference in Berlin to resolve issues

7. Congress of Berlin (1878) • Treaty of San Stefano nullified • Russia kept territory south of Caucasus • Serbia, Romania, Montenegro independent • Bulgaria – still part of Ottoman Empire with greater autonomy - smaller • AH – administer Bosnia-Herzegovina (still part of OE) • GB – island of Cyprus • Fr – expand to Tunisia • Russia – pulled out of Three Emperors League

10. Dual Alliance (1879) • Germany and Austria-Hungary • Both would go to war against Russia if one was attacked by Russia • If either partner attacked by different nation, the other one would remain neutral • Bismarck wanted to secure the southern flank of Germany • Wanted insurance against Russia since Russia dropped out of the Dreikaiserbund • Influenced hand in Balkan issues

11. Tariff Act of 1879 • Tariff against Russian grain imports • Profits from corn exports provided basis for Russian industrial expansion • Further alienates Russia from Germany

12. Three Emperors Alliance (1881) • Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia • Russia feared diplomatic isolation • War with fourth Great Power – powers would remain neutral with each other • Remain neutral if one of the contracting parties wars with Turkey • Recognize each others interests in the Balkans • Agree to consult each other over issues related to the Balkans • Austria conceded to future unified Bulgaria for future annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina • Russia got the straits and Black Sea closed to warships

13. Triple Alliance (1882) • Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy • Italy upset over French occupation of Tunisia • Germany and Austria-Hungary assist Italy if Italy attacked by France • Italy assist Germany and AH if Germany and AH attacked by two other Great Powers • Raised Italy’s status in sphere of European politics

14. Berlin Congress – Africa (1884) • Divided the region of the Congo between Belgium and France • Congo River – area of free trade • Attempt to resolve European differences created over colonization in Africa • Established rules for creating new colonies in Africa • European powers must occupy territory in order to claim territory • Created the “Scramble for Africa”

15. German Colonial Empire (1884-1885) • Bismarck initially opposed colonial development – saw “Europe as his Africa” • Initially thought colonies waste of money, resources, and created unnecessary political tension • Why begin to colonize? • Kolonialverein – national movement pushed for colonization • Appease industrialists and free-traders – expansion of foreign markets • Protect foreign markets in Africa and Pacific where German merchants already active

16. German colonies: • Togoland • Cameroon • German East Africa • German West Africa • New Guinea • Pacific islands

17. Mediterranean Agreements (1887) • Two agreements signed in 1887 • Maintain the borders of the Ottoman Empire in the Mediterranean and Balkans region • Great Britain, Italy, Austria-Hungary • GB – protection for Egypt • AH and Italy – security for future interests in Balkans • Brokered by Germany • Act as a stop against Russian expansion against Ottoman Empire, aggression against Bulgaria, influence in the Balkans region • Agreed to take military measures to enforce

18. Reinsurance Treaty (1887) • Germany and Russia • Bismarck wanted to avoid Franco-Russia alliance • Germany recognized Russian influence in Bulgaria • Goes against AH interest in Balkan region • Each remained neutral in a war fought by the other against a third party

19. EXCEPT: • If Germany attacked France • If Russia attacked Austria • The Reinsurance Treaty will NOT be renewed after Bismarck dismissed by Wilhelm II

20. Close: • Evaluate the effectiveness of Germany’s foreign policy under Bismarck. • Was he successful in achieving his goals?