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Bismarck Abroad:Germany’s Foreign Policy 1871-1890
Anton von Werner, The Proclamation of the German Empire (January 18, 1871)(1877)
1880-82
(1885)
Forging German Unity (c. 1880)
Make Germany strong Keep France weak Keep ties w/Austria &
Russia while not allowing either to emerge as a threat
Not compete with Great Britain
Build an overseas empire
What Were Bismarck’s Foreign Policy Aims?
"Prussia’s New Coat of Arms“
(August 30, 1871)
Bismarck negotiated a series of alliances to maintain the balance of power in his favor
Three Emperors’ League (Dreikaisersbund) (1872) —Germany, Austria-Hungary & Russia—opposed France & other “liberal” governments in W. Europe
Dual Alliance (1879)—Germany & Austria-Hungary pledged to aid each other if Russia or France attacked
Triple Alliance (1882)—Germany, Austria-Hungary & Italy pledged to aid each other if 2 other countries (Russia and France) attacked
Reinsurance Treaty (1887)—Germany & Russia—secret treaty targeted Austria-Hungary & France after Three Emperors’ League fell apart
Bismarck’s Alliance System, 1872-1890
Bismarck’s Alliance System, 1872-1890
•Bismarck decided to join the race for colonies only in 1884-85
• public opinion demanded it• it increased Germany’s prestige
•He focused on colonizing strategically, to block British & French & keep balance of power•But Bismarck was never an avid imperialist, as he saw the dangers of overextending Germany
German Overseas Empire (c. 1910)
"Bismarck Unmasked" (1879)
Born 27 Jan 1859 to Crown Prince Fredrick Wilhelm (son of Wilhelm I) & Princess Victoria (daughter of Queen Victoria of Great Britain)
Born with withered left arm & a quick temper; psychologically damaged
Drawn to the military & alienated from his “liberal” parents by their opponents
Bismarck took him under his wing in his teens, prepared him for power
Kaiser Wilhelm II: Background
Wilhelm I died in 1888 and Fredrick III after 99 days
June 15th 1888 he became Kaiser Wilhelm II
Bismarck and Wilhelm clashed over policies
Kulturkampf Anti-Socialist law Foreign policy & imperialism
Wilhelm and Bismarck argued at Bismarck’s estate in 1890
Wilhelm felt Bismarck was old and out of touch
Wilhelm asked for and received Bismarck’s resignation
Kaiser Wilhelm II Breaks with Bismarck