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 WWIA/A* aim – to analyze how far Germany and other countries caused WWI

when considering alliances and Weltpolitik

StarterThere 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.

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.

The Austro-Hungarian 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.

In 1882, Germany Italy and Austria-

Hungary formed the Triple Alliance.

They promised to help each other if

attacked.

Britain promised to protect Belgium if it

was attacked by Germany.

Germany was jealous of Britain’s

empire. The Kaiser (Emperor) wanted an empire as well.

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.

Russia wanted to take land from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, so they were enemies.

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 Austro-Hungarian 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.

Fritz FischerGermany held the most responsibility as they had an unquestionable desire to achieve German dominance in Europe

Fritz FischerGermany held the most responsibility as they had an unquestionable desire to achieve German dominance in Europe

WehlerDomestic issues (such as growth of Social Democrats and Zabern affair) forced Prusso-German elites to pursue war as a means of deflecting public opinions – to so called ‘escape forwards’ theory.

WehlerDomestic issues (such as growth of Social Democrats and Zabern affair) forced Prusso-German elites to pursue war as a means of deflecting public opinions – to so called ‘escape forwards’ theory.

StrurmerIt was an offensively conducted defensive war based on exposed geosrategic position of Germany

StrurmerIt was an offensively conducted defensive war based on exposed geosrategic position of Germany

Pogge von StrandmannIt was a calculated war that Germany believed it could win in order to strengthen Germany’s domestic and diplomatic situation

Pogge von StrandmannIt was a calculated war that Germany believed it could win in order to strengthen Germany’s domestic and diplomatic situation

Critics of Fischer’s ThesisHistorians have criticised Fischer’s thesis and place blame with the Austro-Hungarians, Russians, the general defensive climate in Europe, imperialism, the ‘Eastern Question’, and the arms race.

Critics of Fischer’s ThesisHistorians have criticised Fischer’s thesis and place blame with the Austro-Hungarians, Russians, the general defensive climate in Europe, imperialism, the ‘Eastern Question’, and the arms race.

Divide your A3 sheet into 5 and write

headings of these 5 theories.

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 Russia3. 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. 1890 Reinsurance Treaty lapses2. Franco-Russian Alliance 18943. Kruger Telegram 1896 – Britain and Germany fall out4. 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.

5. 1902 Anglo-Japanese Alliance6. 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. 48-53

•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 RAW Mark Percent a B A 55 78 23 31B 49 70 21 28C 43 61 18 24D 37 53 16 21E 31 44 13 18

Objectives Who will it upset and why?

Achievements

The expansion of the Navy

Large colonial empire in central Africa

Economic domination of central Europe

Use page 55

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 Anglo-French 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.